The Rotary Club of Lisburn

Installation of New Members

Harold Noblett

Richard Darrah

Two New Members have been installed in November. On Friday 8th November Harold Noblett proposed by PP Jim Matchett was installed and on the 15th during the visit by DG Verity Richard Darrah, proposed by PP John McDonough was installed.

Visit Of District Governor Verity

DG Verity with PresidentDavid

PP Robin Kirk, Finny O'Sullivan and Briand Huey with DG Verity

District Governor Verity Swan accompanied by Assistant Governor Mary Graham joined members of the Rotary Club of Lisburn at the Friday meeting on the 11 th November.

DG Verity had a short meeting with the Officers and Council of the Club and discussed the plans for the year.

After Lunch the DG gave the club a short talk on District 1160 projects and commented on the Clubs projects.

DG Verity then made a presentation to long standing members of the Club,PP Robin Kirk, Finny O’Sullivan and Dr Brian Huey

Speakers October / November

President David,VP Sam with President IFA Jim Shaw

Jim Shaw President of the Irish football association was the guest speaker on the 18th Ocotober. Jim gave us a short history of the IFA and updated us on the future prospects for the team and the development of the stadium at Windsor Park.

Chris Sturgeon of RSPB with President David and VP Sam

Chris Sturgeon from RSPB gave us a very informative talk on the bird life of the Belfast Harbour estate and plans for the future development of an improved visitor centre

Gary Gracey introduced by Donald Minshull

Gary Gracey gave us a talk on policing in many parts of the world on Friday 22nd November

Club Christmas Dinner Thursday 5th December

The Club Christmas Dinner will be celebrated on Thursday 5th December as an evening meeting at Dunmurry Golf Club at 7.00. The menu will be Christmas Fare at a price to be advised.

Partners are welcome and members are encouraged to include their partners in what is hoped to be a great evening of fellowship.

A list will be  circulated nearer the time.

Uganda Visit and Fields of Life

Presentation Cheque to Richard Spratt, Fields of Life

At The Club Meeting on Friday 23rd October President David presented a cheque for £9000 to Richard Spratt in support of  ‘Fields of Life’

In February 2012 a team of volunteers from Christ Church in Lisburn traveled to Uganda. Four members of the Rotary Club  of  Lisburn joined the team as part of the group. The Mission of the group was to help with the building of a school at  Apollo Church, which is situated in area north of Kampala. This area was  formerly known as ‘The Killing Fields’ after the terrible loss of life during the civil war.

The project was under the direction of ‘Fields of Life’.which is an organisation committed to sharing the Christian faith by collaborating with local communities and churches in East Africa to bring about positive change through the provision of quality education, clean water, health promotion and other community based projects.

The cost of building the school was paid for by the parishioners of Christ Church and the building was assisted by the Team. In addition to the building of the School, the project required considerable ongoing support  and this is still being undertaken by the parishioners.

The Rotary members were so enthused by the project that they  recruited the Rotary Club of Lisburn to become involved in raising funds in various projects. As a result some £6000 was raised to help build a kitchen and to provide equipment for the school to provide cooked meals for the greatly increased numbers of children now attending.

A grant of a further £3000 has been awarded by Rotary District 1160 in Ireland, bringing the total Rotary contribution to £9000

Tom Patton Golf Trophy

PP John McIlroy and Sec Frank Young have fought their

through to the final  of the Tom Patton Golf  Trophy.

This keenly anticipated contest will take place as soon as PP John

returns from Singapore

Rotary Club of Lisburn 5th Golf Invitational

The 5th Rotary Club of Lisburn Invitational Golf Classic took place on a wet afternoon at Lisburn Golf Club on Thursday 12th September There was a super turnout – 27 fourballs in total – who all enjoyed a great days golf despite the mixed weather.

Competitions such as beat the pro, putting competition, nearest the pin etc. added to the whole experience.

The day culminated in a fine dinner provided by Jane and her staff at the Golf club. After some speeches David Allister the conducted a highly successful auction.

The Team prize was won by David Allisters Team and Patrick Coyle was the winner of the individual prize.

Individual winner Patrick Coyle

David Allister's Winning Team

The Rotary Club of Lisburn are also very grateful for the use of Lisburn Golf Club with its excellent course and facilities. Also a word of appreciation must go to all those who so generously provided their help and time both in the run up to and on the day itself, as well as those who kindly supplied prizes and donations.

Some £10000 was raised and this will go to the Charities we are supporting the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children and Joli Rider.The NICFC are currently raising funds for a new building in Newcastle and Joli Rider are continuing to collect bikes for reconditioning and sending to  Africa

Photographs of the day can be viewed on the Gallery

Visit to SS Nomadic

Under the leadership of Commander Stephen Gilbert a party of 18 Rotarians set out for a tour of the SsS Nomadic at the Titanic Quarter. To prepare the group for this food and sustenance was obtained at Dunmurry Golf Club before departing.

The SS Nomadic was  built in Harland and Wolf as a tender ship for the Titanic. she sailed to Cherbourg where the Titanic was unable to dock. There she loaded all the passengers for that fateful voyage.The Nomadic held some 1000 passengers, mostly first and second class and was fitted out in a style to satisfy this class of passenger.

After the Titanic she served for many years as a tender Ship for other large passenger liners such as the Titanic’s sister ship the Olympic. During the First World war she worked as a mine sweeper and in the Second World War was involved in the evacuation of Troops from Dunkirk and also later as troop carrier.

After the war she remained in Cherbourg acting as a Tug and later as a restaurant and Night club, before falling into great disrepair. She was eventual bought and returned to Belfast for restoration.

The tour was most interesting and informative.

Visit the Gallery to view photos of the visit

Speakers September

Mark Reid

Danny Kinaghan MLA

Claire Galbraith NSPCC

Danny Kinaghan MLA was our guest speaker on Friday 6th September. His topic was the quality of the changing Antique market

On Friday 13th September Mark Reid gave us a talk on the newly opened SS Nomadic

Clare Galbraith from the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children wa our guest speaker on 20th September

District Governor Verity Swan

On Friday 30th August District Governor Verity  Swan visited the Rotary Club of Lisburn as a guest of District Treasurer Ivan. She was not visiting in her official capacity but did give us a few words of encouragement for the year 2013/14

We were joined by the President and several members of the Lagan Valley Club at the lunch