November 11, 2000 GSE 1050 - 2000 UP STATE NEW YORK District Governor Ward Vuillemot, the Chairman and members of the GSE committee, the Assistant Governors, our very kind Host families, Sadieanne and your GSE Team.

May I, on behalf of the members of the District 1050 GSE 2000 team, offer our most sincere and heartfelt thanks. It was a fantastic trip that exceeded all of our expectations. I appreciate that there is a tremendous amount of hard work, with the planning, meetings etc. involved and it is really appreciated. You will remain in our hearts for ever. - Terry Corrigan, Team leader.

October 20, 2000 Hello all, We were told we were going to be very busy and that we would be made most welcome and well looked after. True on both counts. Since arriving we have been to conference at Toronto, had contact with 15 Rotary Clubs and made 6 presentations so far. The Vocational Programme has been working well and everyone is enjoying themselves. Everyone is well apart from Karen who has had a virus infection affecting her ear but seems to be recovering well. As time permits and photos come on stream we will send further details. Regards to everyone and Jackie I will be in touch soon. - Terry Corrigan, D1050 GSE Team Leader

October 18, 2000 Hi Marlene, I thought I should do a final report of the balance of our GSE excursion to England. I left off at Buxton, Terry Corrigan's home town. Buxton Rotarians Terry and Ken Boylett (former team leader for GSE NY) drove us to the noon meeting of the Nantwich Rotary club.

Norman Hughes, who had met us at the welcome dinner very early on, greeted us, put all of our luggage in his car, then took us to the civic hall for the meeting. It was most interesting as we were the only women there and they asked many questions about our experience, what we saw as differences, and about US politics. A very good, stimulating meeting it was.

Following the meeting we were given a walking tour of Nantwich, charming with its cobblestone streets, black and white buildings, and St. Mary's church dating to the 13th century. A delightful day. Then we were transported to Knutsford where the team was to give an evening presentation to the Knutsford Rotary Club at the Royal George Hotel. This town is quite beautiful and filled with gourmet restaurants, unusual for small towns. It hosts many visitors -Tatton Hall and gardens are here and not far from Jodrell Bank - and is an upscale community.

This stay included some individualized activities for the team. Karen and Karis visited Scotland and the castle where the Prince of Wales was inducted. Julie visited an unusual florist where she discovered some wonderfully creative ways to arrange flowers. I had an opportunity once again to play golf with one of the Rotarians and his wife. It was delightful.

On the final day there we visited Jodrell Bank Observatory. Very interesting to see how the galaxies and other astroligical forces are monitored for our safety and well being. Our final weekend was spent at the D1050 District Conference in Southport. WOW!!! What an awesome and inspiring experience.

It is a very formal event starting with an evening of entertainment on Friday evening, comedians and vocalists in a cocktail setting. Friday morning officially opens the conference in an auditorium with the DG and speakers on stage in front of a magnificent stage set of blue and yellow-gold with the Rotary wheel superimposed. On the left on stage was a large screen, rear projection power point presentation for each speaker. Some of it was for the actual presentation and some of it was a series of cartoons or comical photos of the Rotarians who were speaking. Presentations went on until 1 p.m. Our presentation was given on stage to an audience of approximately 500.

Saturday afternoon was free and while dinner for most registrants was on their own, our team was invited to join the DG for dinner along with others who were the executives of the district. Following dinner we attended the governors ball in the ball room of Floral Hall in Southport. It was a great, formal, fun event. All the men wore tuxedos and the women wore formal gowns.

Sunday morning there was a religious service with hymns followed by the final presentations. The conference closed at noon. We all were sad to say good-bye to so many wonderful people with whom we had established relationships over the duration of our stay. But we know we will continue to communicate with them and who knows, perhaps some will come to visit us.

From the conference on Sunday we went to our final destination, Northwich. It was a short but lovely stay with wonderful hosts. The Northwich Vale Royal club took us on a rare private tour of the Northwich Salt Mines. The team and hosts were taken down an elevator to the underground mines for an experience of their lives. It was a long and dark journey that took about 2 1/2 hours but very interesting and informative. The salt mined here is used for highways in winter.

The concluding event was the Farewell Dinner hosted by Northwich Vale Royal Rotary Club. Much to our surprise there were many familiar faces from throughout our stay who had come to hear our impressions and to say good-bye. It was a wonderful, emotional evening.

The following morning, some of our hosts and DG Malcolm and his wife Julie were at the airport to see us off along with the D1050 team. What a wonderful experience we all had, while happy to come home, we were sad to leave so many warm, new friends behind. Many, many thanks to District 7150 for making this extraordinary experience possible. We, D7150 GSE team, are most grateful.

Your team, Sadieann, Susan, Karen, Julie, Karis

October 2, 2000 Hi Marlene, Thanks for putting up the great photos of us in Manchester. That was a day of walking in the city. It was the first time most of us even saw Manchester. We visited Manchester Cathedral, Manchester's first library-built like a cathedral, Manchester harbor and had a walking tour of the canal along the towpath in the heart of the city. During our stay in Wilmslow and Macclesfield we had a lot of fun with a fairly new group of Rotarians.

D7150 Rotarians take note: My host, Don Edge, two years ago while he was president inducted twelve new Rotarians, all of them former Rotaract members!!!! If there was ever good reason to start a Rotaract club in your area, this is it. DG Ward is right on track. This group of Rotarians are young, (and I don't mean just in age because the older ones are rejuvenated) enthusiastic, and energetic. Couldn't we all use some of that in our clubs? The group numbers around 28 and they raise $3000-$4000 with a duck race and walk-a-thon for charity among other things.

We are now in Buxton, Terry Corrigan's home club - Terry is GSE team leader from this district - and today we witnessed a livestock auction in Bakewell. Then we spent some time at the outdoor market in the rain. Rain never stops us. The market was full of all kinds of goods from plants, to vegetables, to clothing to housewares. Then we did some shopping in Buxton, a charming village with an opera house in the center. Last night the perfomance at the opera house was the Glenn Miller orchestra!!!

Driving through the countryside was a beautiful experience. Though it was pouring rain, it was just beautiful with the green, green hills against the gray sky and the incredible stone walls dividing the lots. The character of this particular area is a little different, not so industrial, more limestone and sandstone buildings rather than red brick.

In case you are wondering, we are well-fed, treated magnificently, and learning the benefits of tea upon arising, wine with meals, and puddings (desserts) following. Rested we are not, but charged up we are. Heading this weekend to the district conference in Southport, a seaside resort, where we will be giving a presentation. Then on Monday we will be making our final presentation at the district Farewell dinner. Cheerio for now. - Sadieann

September 29, 2000 Hi Marlene, Sadieann asked if I could mail you a few photos from the team's day in Manchester today. They started with breakfast and a presentation at my club, R.C. Manchester Breakfast at the rather earlier time of 07.30.

We then had a visit to one of the oldest independent breweries in the U.K. - Joseph Holt ( founded 1849 ) in the north of the city. The team were then escorted on a walking tour through Manchester for lunch by the Rochdale Canal at Duke's Lock 92. During the afternoon the team walked back along the inner city canal with highlights being described by Mike Redfern ( a former club member and ) a local historian.

Hope the photos come through okay. The rather posed one is with our club President Anne Edwards and Past President and District International Chairman - Mike Payne. If you need any further details just mail me. Regards - Derek W Newman , R.C. Manchester Breakfast

September 28, 2000 Marlene, I have just spent three days with Karis as her host and time with the rest of the team. They have been experiencing some typical Manchester weather, but needless to say they are in good heart and still thoroughly enjoying themselves. They will tell you that they haven't had a minute to themselves, but will never forget the visit as their experience is a one that nobody else will ever have!!

They had a tour of Manchester United's home, " The Theatre of Dreams". Gave a superb presentation to the members of Altrincham Rotary Club. Visited Dunham Park on a wet day! Rest assured the team is in good spirits and a crfedit to themselves, their Clubs and their country. Sadieanne sends her best wishes. Yours in Rotary, Peter Batten, Past District Governor.

September 26, 2000 Cheers to all, I'm on my own computer at last. The weekend was lovely in Chester. The team welcomed the time to unwind a little bit and just do whatever, whenever for a couple of days.

What an incredible ancient walled city with its cobblestone streets and cathedral that's about 1000 years old. There is a section call "the rows" that is two levels of shopping in absolutely gorgeous buildings of English architecture. We did a lot of walking, something we were missing staying in homes and with such a busy schedule.

This week, we are in Altrincham - pronounced ul - tring - um. Yesterday we were given a tour of Manchester United Football (soccer to us) stadium. Believe it or not all of us found it very interesting and fun.

After lunch at the stadium restaurant, we headed for a 10 pin bowing match. That's bowling in our country. We wore AMF (you know the company in Lowville) bowling shoes. Any way we split into two teams mixed with three Rotarians and each team one a game. We all did best when the gutter guards were up!

Last night was another presentation - to the Rotary Club of Altrincham. Again it went very well. The club graciously welcomed us and gave each team member a banner to take back to sponsoring club. It was another good evening. Dinner was lamb chops with cabbage and potatoes. Dessert was apple rhubarb crumble served with custard over it. Custard is a sauce as compared to what we call pudding, but tastes the same - a little richer.

Today we all had a vocational day. I won't know about the team's experiences until tomorrow. Hopefully, I can let you know their thoughts later this week. Marlene, you should have received a digital photo of me at my vocational setting. It is a picture of me and Mervyn Reeves, community fundraiser of St. Anne's Hospice. We are standing in front of the St. Anne's ambulance and I am holding three teddy bears that are used to raise money for the organization.

My day was very interesting. This Hospice has some similar events to the kind we know about such as the "light a life" campaign and some that I haven't heard of in the states. One such event is the upcoming Abseil event. It is where people volunteer to climb on a roof, have a harness placed on them which is attached to a rope, and then come of the roof via the rope. Each person is sponsored. Don't think we're ready for that one! Tomorrow we move on to our next hosts in Wilmslow. Will write again in a few days! Ta-ta, Sadieann

September 22, 2000 Hi everyone, Haven't been able to access aol again so am using Bill McLaughlin's machine. Everyone had a very good vocational day on Tuesday in Ashton area.

Karis spent the day with an architect, also her host, visiting sites he is working on... many of them historical. Susan and Karen are getting a good idea of the educational system here and finding out about the many differences as well as some similarities. Julie actually worked in a florist and loved it.

We are in Poynton and have been here for two days. We visited Bramhall Hall, an early 15th century mansion and yesterday visited Styal Mill, one of the earliest cotton mills in England. It was a very interesting day-long tour.

We gave our presentation to Poynton and Wilmslow and Alderley Edge Clubs last night. It was our first on Powerpoint and went very well. I spent the evening with DG Malcolm and Julie Brothers and they are taking pictures to send. Sorry, this will be a short letter as we must leave now for our weekend in Chester.

The team plans to spend a lot of time together and I hope to get more of their impressions to send to you next week. We are all holding up well, but glad to have the weekend to rejuvenate! Cheerio!! Sadieann

September 17, 2000 Yesterday was interesting! We visited Oulton Park Raceway at Chesire to watch car racing. The president of the Rotary Club of Northwich Vale Royal is also an executive with the Raceway. He secured a suite which is like a covered private box where we could view the races. We were served a lovely lunch and were treated very well. It was quite a lot of fun. Our team decided to bet against the British Rotary club in the AngloAmerican race. We picked the Ford Mustang and they picked the Aston Martin. We won, but only because our car beat their car despite that it wasn't a winner of the race.

Then there was another race and they challenged us to another bet and they won. Guess what the prize was - Drinks at the bar. It was very entertaining. The ultimate, however, was a chance to ride in the "safety" car which goes around the track after each race to check for debris. We didn't know that it does the curves at 50-60 miles per hour. So now your team knows a little of what it feels like to be in a race car.

Today we were taken for a tour of a most opulent, ornate, incredible mansion - the home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. One room after another of beautifully carved oak fireplaces and doorways, handpainted wallpapers, paintings by Rembrandt, Tintoretto, Reynolds, and much more. Furnishings dated back to the 17th century. The mansion is set on 1000's of acres of land with beautiful and breathtaking views with gardens, cascades of water and reflecting pools. It's all so green and lush. Last night our host families treated us to dinner at a Thai restaurant and it was very delicious. It was a nice opportunity to learn about these Rotarians and their wives.

My hosts Bill and Rita Smith are both retired from government positions. Very lovely people, they can't do enough for me. They have a beautiful garden in the back with a canopy trellis covered in vines. The front yard is primarily a rose garden and you can truly "smell the roses" here.

We move on tomorrow to our fourth set of hosts in Ashton Under Lyne. But first we will meet and be hosted for lunch by the mayor of Ashton. In the evening we will be giving our presentations. Will try to fill you in on all of this as soon as possible-whenever I get access to a computer. Cheers for now!! Sadieane

September 15, 2000 Hi to all again, We have been very busy in Biddulph. This is one great group of Rotarians. They took us in with such warmth and generosity.

The team had their first vocational day and they were thrilled with the outcome. All seemed to be very inspired by the first experience. Julie spent the day at Bridgemere Garden World with the CEO. Karis visited a design haus called Lion Studios and met with the owner. Karen spent her day at the Norton Primary school and learned about the private and public school system which she found to be quite different from the US. Susan went to Biddulph high school and spent time with teachers as well as students, grilling them all on how and what they do.

I spent the day at the Congledon golf course with two Rotarians and a member of Inner Wheel making up my foursome. And my host's sister-in-law came along and caddied. My host, a Scotsman, was a founder of the Biddulph club. He is a retired physician and one of his hobbies is photography. He has a camera collection! with over 800 cameras. He also plays piano beautifully and has three or four pianos and organs. His house is quite large, 16 rooms, and it used to be his office and surgical suites. A very interesting man, he loves jazz and knows all about it which he shared with me. Also likes classical.

We spent a lot of time with the team and their host families. As I mentioned in my last e-mail, this is a very close group with a family-like feeling. Their current Rotary project is the erection of a Garden of Tranquility on 2 acres of land in the cemetary. It's incredibly impressive. Today we were taken on a tour of Biddulph Grange Gardens which border the Garden of Tranquility. These gardens may be the most impressive in the world. Will write more later. It is dinner time in my new host family's home. On my third. Cheerio! Sadieann

September 12, 2000 Hello all. We have been spending our first week in Alsager and Biddulph, two distinct areas altogether. Alsager Rotary was very cordial and the host homes for our team members were quite elaborate, set on Meir (a small lake) and housing a swimming pool and jacuzzi. I thought this was a wonderful way for the team to be introduced to England.

My hosts were a lovely retired couple - he a psychologist and she a nurse. They couldn't be more gracious and accommodating. They served a typical English dinner on Sunday evening, consisting of lamb roast with boiled vegetables along with pudding and pie for dessert and wonderful stilton and cheshire cheeses. Their daughter and husband along with a couple who are neighbors were there to partake.

Our first presentation at Alsager went very well. No AV but we spoke to the group. We were asked to wait in the hall with D1050 team until all of the Rotarians and spouses had been seated. Then they played the British national anthem and introduced the British team who marched formally into the room to the Roundel where a British and an American flag hung-sort of a stage.

Then they called in each member of our team who stood opposite the English team. The US national anthem was then played. It was very moving and we actually began to sing.

Each team member was seated with a different table for dinner. I sat at the head table with Les Bickerton Club President, and DG Malcolm Brothers - a wonderful man. Our presentation was about 20 minutes as I thanked the club and district for hosting us and for their hospitality, then introduced the team members one at a time. They were marvelous. Alsager was very impressed and the president said so. He felt this was going to be the best GSE team they have ever hosted.

It was a very high moment for our team and set us off to a great beginning. Biddulph Rotary is a very relaxed group and very family-like. They do a lot together. We have all spent evenings together each night that we have been here. I will fill you in on the rest later on, because the team and host families have assembled now and we are going to Little Morton House. Ta-ta, Your GSE Team Leader - Sadieann

BIO of DGE Malcolm Brothers: Malcolm has been a member of the Rotary Club of Hazel Grove in District 1050 for 20 years. Prior to his recent retirement he was employed by General Electric Company. He is married to Julie, a primary School Teacher and has 2 grown children. Alison is married to Nick and lives locally and Andrew is married to Liza and lives in London. Malcom was inducted into the Rotary Club of Hazel Grove the 29th of May 1980.

His Classification is: - Senior Active. (Weighing Systems) He has held the following Club Offices: 1980/84 Vocational Chairman. 1981/84 member of Club Council 1984/85 Chairman of International Committee. 1986/87 2nd Vice President. 1987/88 1st Vice President. 1988/89 Club President. Malcom has also been active at the District level. Offices held are: 1994/96 District Club Service Chairman,. 1996/99 Assistant Governor. 1999/2000 District Governor Elect.

  
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Hello and Welcome to District 7150... On behalf of all the Rotarians in our District, we are honored that you will make our home your home for a few weeks. Enjoy your time with us... let us know how we can make this the best professional experience of your lives. Rotary is the greatest organization in the world... and events like this help to make it so. Make new friends, enjoy your vocational experiences, visit our many cultural and educational sites... have a great time! - DGE Ward & June Vuillemot

 
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