Kew resident Audrey Duck and Kew Gardens Rotarian Chris Langley, right, are new holders of the Paul Harris Fellowship, the Rotary movement's highest honour. Richard Ward, the club's president, pictured with Audrey, made the presentations at the recent Kew Resources Forum evening held at the Coach and Horses Hotel.

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A Good Bear and Rotarian honoured

The Rotary Club of Kew Gardens hosted their six-monthly Kew Resources Forum evening at the Coach and Horses Hotel on Wednesday April.

The brainchild of Rotarian Chris Langley, each of the local charitable/service/voluntary organisations has undefined resources which they might be willing to make available to other similar organisations, at minimal or no cost.

These might include professional expertise - architects, legal matters etc through to the loan of tables, chairs or loudspeaker systems and the use of venues etc.

Thus, on April 30 representatives of 12 local voluntary organisations came together: Friends of Abbeyfield, Kew - Audrey Duck together with Joan Gallogly from Abbeyfield itself; Kew Fayre Trust - Hal Burnett; Pensford Field Trust - Diana Hutchings; Kew Horticultural Society - Jenny Wakefield; Kew Out of School Club - Janet Deboo; FiSH - Jenny Hughes; Kew Community Trust - David Polya; Friends of Barnes Hospital - Mary NcNulty; Kew Neighbourhood Association - Joan Brown; Integrated Neurological Services (INS) - Liz Grove; and Kew Scouts - Suzanne Sheffer.

Vocational chairman Jim Onions explained that Rotary's highest honour was a Paul Harris Fellowship which is awarded to both Rotarians and others who give outstanding service in the community.

He continued by mentioning one of the evening's guests who was most worthy to receive this award - a long term resident of the borough; secretary to the District Commissioner of the Girl Guides; a Sunday School teacher at St Luke's for 30 years; chairman of the Friends of Abbeyfield (Kew) for 12 years and active nationally as organising secretary of the Textile Society, and previously chairman of Good Bears of the World for ten years and currently honorary president. She was awarded the MBE in 2002 for her voluntary work.

Rotarian Chris Langley received the Paul Harris Fellowship

This evening, said Jim, Audrey Duck would be presented with a Paul Harris Fellowship by Rotary President Richard Ward.

Richard thanked his fellow Rotarian Chris Langley for chairing the meeting so ably during the evening.

He asked that members and guests recognise not only Chris's involvement in the Kew Resources Forum but his involvement in Rotary for 20 years; former president; treasurer for ten years; chairman of the club's Community and Vocational Service Committee and of the borough clubs' Rotary Awareness Committee and past Rotary district conference involvement.

The next Resources Forum evening is likely to be in late autumn. Interested parties may contact Chris Langley: cplangley@btinternet.com For further details of weekly Rotary meetings check out www.kewrotary.org.uk or call Secretary Paul Raven-Hill on 01932 783 253 for booking details. Guests are always welcome.

A celebration of youth

Members of the Turkish community and Whitton PHAB club pictured at the International Children's Day Celebrations on April 27. Organisers and sponsors were members of the Sumar family and after the various sketches performed by the young children present, certificates were presented and a buffet of Turkish food was provided. Whitton PHAB has enjoyed an exceptionally busy April - the St George's Day Parade in Whitton High Street was a great success and the PHAB stall sold over 86 pancakes and all the shortbread shields were quickly sold out. To end the month Sandy visited the club on Monday evening with his digeridos and drums much to the enjoyment of the members.

A picture of June

ST MARGARETS TOWNSWOMEN'S GUILD Twelve months ago local artist Freda Anderson spoke to members on painting with watercolours.

On her return visit, Freda's topic was painting portraits. Initially she showed the ladies several pictures of family members and then, from the assembled company, selected June Garnett as the subject for her demonstration.

Freda captivated her audience with her simplified technical explanations and amazing ability to transform a blank sheet of paper into an instantly recognisable drawing of the model.

On behalf of a visitor and 22 members, Wynn Graddage, thanked Freda for a very interesting afternoon.

Chairman Val Hall presented flowers to retiring president Daphne Bond, who passed the badge of office to Wynn Graddage. In recognition of the many years she has organised the monthly competition, thank you flowers were also given to Mary Goddard, who is succeeded by Rosemary Smith.

Joyce Dangerfield has taken over as secretary from Rene Oatley, who remains on the committee as vice secretary.

Sue Reynolds's entry won the spring flowers in a jam jar competition and Val Hall was awarded the Clean Up word search prize. The winners of the raffle were Wynn Graddage, Joyce Billington, Phyllis Rodgers and Janice Kershaw.

A group of 16 thoroughly enjoyed the Freedom Pass outing to the recently reopened Musical Museum, Brentford. Formerly housed in a deconsecrated and dilapidated church, the magnificent and varied collection of instruments is now on display just a few yards along the High Street in its new purpose-built surroundings.

The monthly Scrabble and the Meet and Chatter mornings went ahead as planned and the lunch club ladies enjoyed a meal and each other's company at The Cabbage Patch.

During the month members have also supported the Guys and Dolls lunch organised by Federation and invitations to other guilds special events were accepted.

Members meet on the second Monday of each month at 2pm in the United Reformed Church Hall, First Cross Road, Twickenham. Visitors welcome. For further information phone 020 8867 2436.

New president

Soroptimist International of Kingston Upon Thames and District Deborah Tosler has been inducted as this year's president, Jeannie Digby-Smith is president elect, and Marian Reardon is vice president.

Also at the AGM, Sue Waters, president 2007-2008 became immediate past president.

As is usual a buffet supper followed the evening's business and the club was pleased to welcome Elizabeth Gyngell, who had travelled up from her new home in Salisbury, to be with her friends.

Four members visited Dorich House, standing on the Kingston side of Richmond Park during April.

Dorich House has become a showcase for the work of the Sculptor Dora Gordine and the collection of Russian Imperial Art which was bequeathed to the nation.

This outing was followed by Afternoon tea at Pembroke Lodge.

Another outing was organised on April 29 saw some members visit the Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabba, the Sikh Temple in Alice Way, Hounslow.

Mrs Charanjit Ajitsingh answered questions. The chairman of the Trustees of the Gurdwara welcomed the group and showed them around the Gurdwara and its facilities.

The group was very interested to learn about the Sikh religion, its culture and history. It was pleasing to hear of the many activities for people in the community carried out by the Gurdwara.

The visit ended with lunch. It was felt by the group that it had been a very interesting and informative visit and much appreciated.

Katy Maxwell will be the speaker at the supper meeting at the Richmond Hill Hotel, on Tuesday May when she will talk on Yakanaka ethnic jewellery.

12:43pm Thursday 8th May 2008

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