Top Award for Local Community Activists

Two local Rotarians have been recognised for their vital role in successfully setting up a new vibrant group for busy younger professionals interested in supporting the local community with charitable events, projects, and fun social activities.

The new, Chesterfield Rotary Satellite Group, is part of the well-established Rotary Club of Chesterfield, and now has twenty-two members, both male and female.  The group (normally) meets monthly at Chesterfield Panthers Rugby Club. It most recently raised £4,000 for four key local charities with a virtual online classic car & bike show and has made donations to the local food banks.

Financial planner Peter Blant, the founding chairman of the satellite group, and business adviser Paul Davies, the satellite group secretary, have both been awarded Rotary International’s highest honour, a Paul Harris Fellowship for providing this exciting new approach to Rotary in the town. 

The award was presented by Chesterfield Rotary president Nigel Metham at a special socially distanced ceremony (viewed online by members) on Friday 3 July 2020.

Interested in joining the new group? Contact Satellite group secretary Paul Davies 07753 605 272 or check out social media.

Long Service Award

A long-serving rotarian has been recognised for completing 50 years of Rotary service. Past president David Jenkins, CStJ, was awarded a long-service certificate and a special 50 year Rotary badge at the club meeting held on Friday 2 August 2019 by president Nigel Metham. David Jenkins, 95, whose profession was Coal Industry Administration, first joined the Rotary Club of Chesterfield in March 1969 and has been a regular attender ever since. He was club president in 1981-82 and is the first of three long-serving rotarians being recognised by the club this year.

New members for Chesterfield Rotary

More recruitment of new members for the expanding Rotary Satellite Club of Chesterfield, which continues to attract busy younger professionals in the town wanting to do their bit for the local community. The latest to be inducted into the worldwide Rotary movement, by Chesterfield Rotary president Barry Thompson, are IT company director, Andrew Thompson, and insurance advisor, Phil Coates, and he was assisted by Satellite Club chairman Peter Blant.

From left to right, Chesterfield Rotary president Barry Thompson, IT company director Andrew Thompson (no relation), insurance adviser Phil Coates, and Chesterfield Rotary Satellite Club chairman, Peter Blant.

Local Schools Public Speaking Competition 2019

The final of the Chesterfield Public Speaking Competition for local secondary schools was held on Friday 18 January 2019 and organised by Chesterfield Rotary for the 53rd consecutive year.

The winner, in a high-quality competition, was Iona Blair from St Mary’s Catholic High School, with her political talk on ‘What’s the point of public demonstrations’.

Runners-up were, Megan Trevis from Hasland Hall Community School,  Abigail Maycook from Whittington Green School, and Leo Andrews also from St Marys. Organiser was rotarian Paul Davies, secretary of the Rotary Satellite Club of Chesterfield, who congratulated all the finalists on their excellent talks.

From left to right: Rotarian Paul Davies (organiser), Megan Trevis (Hasland Hall), Iona Blair (St Marys), President Barry Thompson, Abigail Maycock (Whittington Green), and Leo Andrews (St Marys).

Eckington Classic Car & Bike Show 2018

Hundreds of enthusiasts from across the region turned out for this year’s Eckington Classic Car & Bike Show held in perfect weather at Renishaw Hall on Wednesday 13 June 2018.  The event is expected to have raised a few more thousands which will be shared by four key local charities – Ashgate Hospicecare, Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, Sheffield Children’s Hospital, and Weston Park Cancer Charity. Winner of best car was Stephen Ashton from Ecclesfield, with his 1962 C1 Corvette V8. Also, congratulations to Jon Lambley from Alfreton, winner of best bike at the show with his 1949 Vincent Series ‘B’ 1000cc Rapide.

The winners were presented with their awards by Chesterfield Rotary president Peter Barr.

Next motoring event is the Ashover Classic Car & Bike Show being organised jointly by the Rotary Clubs of Chesterfield, Chesterfield Scarsdale, Clay Cross, and Matlock at Rectory Fields, Ashover, on Sunday 22 July 2018 (10.00am to 4.00pm).

Rotary Young Citizen of the Year 2018

Congratulations to Andrew Davies who has been selected as a Young Citizen of the Year for 2018 by Rotary International Great Britain & Ireland (RIBI) for his inspirational fund-raising in support of Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

He has now raised nearly £140,000 of his £150,000 target.

The prestigious award, along with a cheque for £500 towards his charity, was made by Rotary district governor Michael Longdon, on behalf of RIBI National Rotary president 2017-18 Denis Spiller, at the Chesterfield Rotary club meeting on Friday 25 May 2018. Also in attendance was the Mayor and Mayoress of Chesterfield, Cllr Stuart & Anne Brittain, and Chesterfield Rotary president Peter Barr.

Remarkable young people from across Britain and Ireland are recognised with Rotary Young Citizen Awards. The accolades celebrate the positive citizenship and responsibilities that are shown by many young people through hard work, inspirational ideas and a determination to help others.

In September 2012, Andrew Davies, who was only 13 at the time, became very unwell. He was referred to Sheffield Children’s Hospital where he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, a rare and a rapidly spreading disease if not treated quickly. Over the following months he endured courses of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. Thankfully, Andrew recovered and decided he wanted to give something back. Upon realizing the bone marrow transplant at Sheffield Children’s Hospital cost £150,000, he set his sights on raising the same amount so other young lives could be saved.

District governor Michael Longdon, on behalf of RIBI President 2017-18 Denis Spiller, congratulated Andrew on his inspirational efforts which will help others. He presented Andrew with his award, a glass trophy, a framed certificate, and a cheque for £500 in support of his fund-raising efforts.

In response, Andrew, who is now 19 and in his first year at Liverpool University, thanked Rotary for their support both locally and nationally. He revealed that his fund-raising total now stands at nearly £140,000. He is planning to raise more funds this summer with a 200mile sponsored bike ride from Liverpool to Skegness with his elder brother James. More immediately, he is off to Fiji for a month to help youngsters improve their numeracy and literacy. To make a donation go to Andrew’s Just Giving page https://bit.ly/2IHSl8G

Chesterfield Schools Public Speaking Competition 2018

The winner of the annual public speaking competition for local secondary schools this year was Beverlyn Agyemang of St Marys Catholic High School with her thought-provoking talk entitled ‘Who Am I’. The event was organised for the 52nd consecutive year by the Rotary Club of Chesterfield and held as part of the club’s weekly meeting at the Olde House, Newbold, on Friday 23 March 2018. Following a high-quality competition, Chesterfield Rotary president Peter Barr presented the cup and certificates to winner Beverlyn Agyemang (St Mary’s), and the two runners-up Matthew Perryman (Whittington Green) and Anton Causey (St Mary’s).

Chesterfield Rotary president Peter Barr presents the cup and certificates to winner Beverlyn Agyemang (St Mary’s), and the two runners-up Matthew Perryman (Whittington Green) and Anton Causey (St Mary’s)