Amber Valley

Salvation Army Ripley Sings Rotary Club praises

Salvation Army sings Rotary Club’s praises as Ripley food bank reports surge in first-time users

Ripley Salvation Army is currently providing vital food supplies to vulnerable people every month and is expecting a surge in demand in the run up to Christmas.  Due to Covid-19 Ripley Salvation Army Food Bank, which serves all of Amber Valley, has seen a 100% increase in demand compared to before the pandemic.

The latest delivery of over 80 cases of food by Rotary4foodbanks has helped Ian Brown and the foodbank team at its headquarters in Heath Road cope with the growing demand, with many people accessing foodbank services for the first time.

“It is only with the support of schemes like Rotary4foodbanks and help from local supermarkets that we can hope to meet the growing need as Autumn approaches and more individuals and families find themselves short of money for food,” says Ian who manages the Salvation Army’s admin and finances in the town.  “Our commitment to never turning anyone away will be stretched to the limit this year,” he warns.

Rotary Club members from Amber Valley and across Derbyshire were on hand recently to deliver over 80 boxes of staple foods – coffee, tea, tinned fruit, cereals and more – to keep up stock levels.  They are working as part of a region-wide scheme – Rotary4foodbanks – which raises funds to buy food in bulk. This is then distributed free to around 50 foodbanks in the East Midlands and South Yorkshire.

Before the pandemic struck, Amber Valley Rotarians had already helped to build and fit out a new food store which has proved invaluable as the Salvation Army team strives to build stocks in anticipation of the increased demand as Christmas approaches.

Covid-19 has increased the challenge for the Salvation Army in Ripley and elsewhere.  “Many of our supporters are older – most members are over 70 and have been shielding. So maintaining a food supply service has been especially difficult since March,” Ian explains.

“Many of the people we support face real personal challenges – homelessness, drug and alcohol addiction.  Others are ordinary families experiencing hardship as a result of the economic downturn.  Many are seeking support from foodbanks for the first time.  They all deserve our help.”

Local Rotarian John Stamp who works with the Rotary4foodbanks team says the story from Ripley is echoed across the East Midlands.  “There is real concern about the winter ahead and the demands that foodbanks like the Salvation Army Ripley service will face. 

“At Rotary4foodbanks we have linked up with supermarket giant Morrisons and are committed to providing a regular supply of key food items to meet the need.  We all give our time free, as willing volunteers, but we need the public to support our efforts.”

Rotary4foodbanks has set up a justgiving page to make it easy for people to donate.  Because the scheme is run entirely by volunteers it has no overheads.  That means every penny given goes directly to buying food at discounted prices for delivery to local foodbanks.

You can support Rotary4Foodbanks through our JustGiving page

Posted in: Amber Valley, Rotary4Foodbanks

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Rotary Amber Valley Plan to Support Communities

During an online ceremony, the 2020-21 joint leadership team of Chris Riggott and Peter Arnott were welcomed and received their chains of office from outgoing leaders Howard Doran and Glyn Allsop. Local man David Hickton also received recognition for many years of community service.

Chris, who was in the animal health industry as a business manager, lives at Tansley whilst Peter lives at Kilburn after many years as a manager in the automotive supply chain. They have as their theme for the year, ‘ Fun, Fellowship and Future Planning to Support Communities.’ Two charities will receive particular support: ‘Kids Out’ which provides disadvantaged children with exciting memories to cherish and ‘End Polio Now’ Rotary International’s campaign to eradicate polio worldwide by helping to provide vaccines.

Chris said, “We know we are in difficult times and must implement some changes to enable Rotary to continue to support communities. However, we are currently supporting local food banks and planning to hold our Charity Horse Ride in October and Rotary Santa and his sleigh will be around the borough at Christmas, albeit safely. Please continue to support Rotary to help others.”

To emphasise safety and future planning, Chris & Peter had pre-event ‘social distancing’ badge handover including with Marie Adams of Ripley who will take over in 2021-22.

During the online event Presidents Peter and Chris presented a ‘Paul Harris Fellow’ award to Rotarian David Hickton of Ripley. The international Rotary award recognises the substantial contribution made by Alan particularly in terms of his work with young people. President Peter said, “Chris and I pay tribute to David for his work over many years encouraging young people in the borough both in schools, sports and personal achievements. It is a great pleasure to make the award.”

Rotary Amber Valley meets each week, currently by video conference. If you wish to join us please contact secretary Paul on 07778 048648 to discuss and receive an electronic invite.

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Rotary Amber Valley and District 1220 help young gymnasts reach the ‘high bar.’

Rotary Amber Valley along with District  1220 have helped provide additional equipment to Amber Valley Gymnastics Academy. 

Club members gathered during half term

The new vault run, spring board and vault will help young people from around Derbyshire progress to national and international standards.

Amber Valley donated £500 with a further £500 from District funds. President Howard Doran presented a cheque for just over £1000 to Jenny Clay, Performance Director who said, “Support  from Rotary will help in the development our talented young people.”

Rotarians Howard and David Hickton saw over one hundred girls (boys night is Friday) performing on mat, bar and beam to an astoundingly high standard. 

David said, “Rotary have an emphasis on supporting young people and seeing these young people performing I feel I have been at an Olympic Games performance. What a fantastic advert for young people in Amber Valley and Derbyshire.”

Andy Sverloff (gym manager) President Howard Doran, Jenny Clay  ( Gym Performance Director) and Rotarian David Hickton (Chair of Club Young People Committee) 

The red mat shown in this video is the same type as the one to be bought – but the young woman ‘tumbling’ – wow !!! Talk about Rotary in Action!!!

Young gymnast Annabell Rigby gives Rotary photographer (oh – and Granpa) the ‘thumbs up’

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New Members

Amber Valley (again)

One week after three new members joined Amber Valley as joint Presidents Glyn Allsop and Howard Doran welcomed Graham Sisson. Glyn said, “It’s always great to welcome new members but four in two weeks is a real pleasure.”

Graham whose background is engineering at Rolls Royce lives in Belper. Known to a number of Rotarians through his amateur musical career, he is also a keen golfer at Horsley Lodge Golf Club.  Graham said, “I look forward to helping with the many Rotary projects and getting to know members better.”

Welcome Graham.

Joint Presidents Glyn Allsop and Howard Doran welcome Graham Sisson (centre)

Amber Valley

Rotary Amber Valley recently installed three new members.

Joint Presidents Glyn Allsop and Howard Doran welcomes Chris and Keith Blackman along with Vera Dilks.

Vera Is a well know local Ripley woman having been a teacher at Ripley Academy, and Inner Wheel Chair, whilst Chris and Keith have recently moved to Derbyshire from the South.

Each were presented with Rotary membership certificates by President Howard.

Ravenshead & Blidworth

Jan 29th 2020 we were fortunate to welcome two new members to our club; Kamal and Lorraine. President Elect Richard performed the simple ceremony and presented each with a new member welcome pack and badges.

Being Rotarians Kamal and Lorraine are able to attend Rotary meetings and meet Rotarians throughout the world.

Posted in: Amber Valley, Ravenshead and Blidworth, Uncategorized

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