From Leigh-on-Sea to South Africa


“You are a 12-year-old girl responsible for bringing up two younger siblings. You live in a very basic house and have access to only a minimal amount of food. You want an education to better yourself for the future but if you go to school with your younger siblings the chances are that by the time you get home, your home will have been broken into and your food stolen. If you don’t go you will have food to eat but not an education. Plus, it could be dangerous to send your siblings on the journey to school alone. But if they don’t go, they won’t get an education either. What option would you choose?"


This is the question that was posed by Chris Connors, when he spoke about the charity he had founded called Coco’s Foundation. There are over 9,000 orphans in South Africa, owing mostly to the impact of AIDS. Many of them face this dilemma every day. Coco’s Foundation helps builds brick homes for these vulnerable families so that all the children have a chance to go to school along with having a home that has proper toilet, cooking and sleeping facilities. And more importantly one that is secure.


We’re All Mad Here!


The setting for Wonderland is a strange and seemingly crazy world where animals act as normal people and you enter by dropping into a rabbit hole. But in the real world, health and safety wasn’t about to let that happen, so Warsop Inner Wheel decided to recreate Wonderland at The John Fretwell Centre.


Our story starts in the ‘real’ world, where President Ruth was sitting next to her sisters discussing what the theme should be for the 2019 Charity Ball. The next thing the Ball Committee knew was they were waking up to an email detailing the theme. A dream world where the Mad Hatter is throwing a tea party. President Ruth’s main charity for the year has been the Mansfield Branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society. The President’s Charity Ball was created to raise money and awareness.


Chapter 1


The event venue was originally a sports hall and has been “dressed” for many party occasions. It was decked out by a lady from Touch of Charm, herself a generous Queen of Spades who has supported many fund-raising events across the East Midlands. Purple, orange, green and pink chiffon bows adorned the chairs, four tall brightly coloured trees were set at each end of the hall and an oversized balloon on each table matched the colours on the chairs. The effect was stunning. Incredible floral centre pieces donated by two of the Inner Wheel ladies finished off the table décor. A tombola tower completed a marvellous transformation.


Time now for President Ruth and her helpers to have a little pampering before …..


Chapter 2 – Off with his head


Guests were met for the evening with a beautiful floral seating plan, created by President Ruth. No mistaking the creation’s author as her fingers were stained red from painting the roses! As the lights changed to pink and purple in the room, the sky lights darkened and guests arrived. The excitement in the room was palpable. Guests had made such an effort to take part in the ball theme. Some wore simple accessories; some wore fancy dress. All looked amazing.


In the audience that day was club member Liz Meddle and when Chris mentioned that he and a group of volunteers go to the Kwazulu-Natal region of South Africa 3-4 times a year to help build these houses, Liz knew what she wanted to do. All Liz had to do was to raise the £2,500 she needed to go on the trip! With the support of Inner Wheel members, Rotarians, friends and family, Liz raised the money by holding a charity Chinese meal and having her head shaved.


Therefore, in April this year Liz spent 16 days in South Africa and in the process became known as the messiest painter in the country! However, Liz doesn’t mind this title as it resulted in three orphaned brothers being able to live with their grandparents and an 18-year-old girl who lives by herself having somewhere safe to stay. All were orphans owing to the impact of AIDS.


Liz was also able to visit some of the community projects that are happening in the area including an afterschool club for orphans - there were 60 orphaned children in just one school – and a breakfast club as well as supporting 8 orphaned children to purchase new school uniforms. Asked if she would do the trip all over again Liz said, “You bet!”


Doris Thorne – Leigh-on-Sea


At 9.15 our entertainment began but not before everyone had indulged themselves with raffle tickets and tombola. There is nothing better than seeing people walk away with an armful of beautiful prizes. And there were indeed some amazing prizes! The band certainly helped keep the dance floor busy all evening!


The Inner Wheel Club of Macclesfield Membership Certificate


The Members of the Inner Wheel Club of Macclesfield are very proud to present Gismo


– Lynne Gregory’s guide dog – Epilogue


Soon it was time to switch out the lights, take off the costumes and think back on an evening of fun, friendship and sheer enjoyment. We were delighted that we were able to hand over a considerable sum to Mansfield Multiple Sclerosis Society. Time to come down to earth but to remember that Inner Wheel ladies – when they put their minds to it – can have great fun while helping others!


With thanks to Ruth Riches


“A Lifetime Membership as a Friend of the Club”


as he attends all meetings and events with her and keeps Lynne safe and secure with confidence and welcomes everyone.


President Moira Beswick Tuesday 4 June, 2019


Page. 8 Innerwheel www.innerwheel.co.uk Page. 9


An Interesting Group Photo


How many clubs can claim that three ladies inducted into Inner Wheel on the same day are still all members of the same club? Here we have the photographic evidence. From left to right we have Liz Thomas, Mary Lovewell Blake and Linda Fellas.


The three ladies were all inducted together as members of the Inner Wheel Club of Great Yarmouth on the same day in October 1987. There is a little dubiety as to whether it was the 7th or the 21st of October as Great Yarmouth was one of the clubs which had two meetings a month.


Looking through a club’s records is interesting but surely it would be hard to find just such a good example of IW friendship and service over many years.


Presentation to Longest Serving Member of District 12


Last year’s Association President, Ann Acaster, presented Betty Selfe, member of the Inner Wheel Club of Rochester, with a Certificate of Long Service for 65 years of service to Inner Wheel. Our picture shows Ann presenting flowers to Betty Selfe following the presentation.


Betty joined Inner Wheel at the age of 20 – three weeks after she married. That makes her possibly the youngest member of Inner Wheel when she joined and now probably one of the longest, if not THE longest, serving member.


She held the post of Secretary, Treasurer and President of her first Club on two occasions, was elected District Chairman 1976/1977 and held the position of Member of Council in 1986/1987. Whilst on Council she served on the Finance Committee of the Association and was Minute Clerk for District 12.


In 1980 she was asked to give assistance at the International Inner Wheel Headquarters in London for a week and remained for nine years, becoming Secretary Administrator until her retirement in 1989. She arranged a Convention in Stavanger, Norway, working with Norwegian Inner Wheel members.


Betty was awarded a Paul Harris award some years ago and on 14th December 2018 the Rotary Club of Rochester presented a Paul Harris Foundation Sapphire Award in recognition of her staggering 65 years Inner Wheel Service and support for Rotary throughout that time.


Sandra Wheeler


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