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Culture Rotary Club KOT Thoughts

Being Father Christmas

Christmas time is a very special time in many countries around the world, whereas in others it is a time that is not celebrated or recognised. In the UK the day is a very special day, no matter what belief system people follow. It is a time of reflection, a time of religious beliefs, a […]

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Rotary Club KOT Thoughts

End Polio Now

One of the efforts that Rotary Club members worldwide is to eradicate the terrible disease of polio (poliomyelitis) through out our world. To this end over the years since 1985, Rotary Club has raised many millions of dollars, which has been matched dollar for dollar by the Bill Gates Foundation and in conjunction with health authorities, […]

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Rotary Club KOT Thoughts

I found a new friend Oakley

Last night at a concert featuring Kingston University Chamber Choir, Chorus and Ensemble entitled, Ancient and Modern, Innovation & Modern: c1656 – 3/5/2013, I made a new friend. The concert had been organised at St. John’s Church, Hampton Wick, to present prizes to three winners of the Music Composition Competition at Kingston University, with prizes […]

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Culture Rotary Club KOT Thoughts Travels

Fireworks in Kingston upon Thames 2012

Every year on 5th November, to celebrate Guy Fawkes Day, of as it is also known, Bonfire Night, the British people burn rubbish piled high, and on top of the bonfire, we will have a Guy, or a mannequin or dummy, which is the representation of Guy Fawkes. During the evening when we light the […]

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Rotary Club KOT

Adult Achievement Awards 2012

I recently was present at the Kingston upon Thames, Rotary Club’s Adult Achievement Awards, held once a year in the Royal Borough of Kingston’s Guild Hall. It is so humbling to listen to some of the stories, of those who had experienced difficulties in their life, yet overcame them to attain further education to better […]

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Culture Presentations Rotary Club KOT

Proud Moments at the Musical Awards

Perhaps not the best choice of venues to hold a musical recital on a cold day in May 2012, but this was the moment to announce the Kingston University Musical Awards in the ancient Market Place of Kingston upon Thames. Once again the awards were given by the Rotary Club of Kingston upon Thames, and […]

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Rotary Club KOT

HEMS Helicopter Emergency Medical Service

A group of Kingston upon Thames Rotary Club members, plus spouses, visited the Kent, Surrey and Sussex HEMS service, based at the old RAF airfield, home of the BBC’s Top Gear program, test track for the car manufacturer McLaren, Dunsfold. HEMS, (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service), is operated every day of the year from 7am to […]

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Presentations Rotary Club KOT Thoughts

Guest Judge at Speaking Competition

At the end of the evening, it was a privilege to be asked as one of the judges of the Inter-House Public Speaking Competition at the Richard Challoner School in New Malden, Surrey, to present the awards and give the summing-up speech. Along with two other judges, I witnessed the very high standard of presentations, […]

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Culture Rotary Club KOT

Father Christmas on his Sleigh

Not only this year was I Father Christmas at the Rotary Club’s Christmas Tree in Kingston upon Thames, but also for one night I was Santa on the sleigh driven through local neighbourhoods correcting donations door to door to go into funds to help local charities and people. The night started with the temperature a […]

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Culture Rotary Club KOT

Father Christmas, Noel Baba

It is that time of the year again in many parts of the world where the festive season of Christmas is celebrated. Last year I spent many weeks in the RIXOS Premium Hotel Belek in Antalya, Southern Turkey over the Christmas and New Year period, and on Xmas Day I was honoured to be Father […]