Croeso mawr i RotarY yn yr Eisteddfod
Rotary in Southern Wales gave a big welcome to RIBI President Debbie Hodge at our stand at Cardiff Bay for the National Eisteddfod. Debbie made friends with a traditional Welsh Lady from Blackwood and many other interesting characters and Rotarians from all over the globe. The atmosphere on the Maes was amazing and interest in the stand was heartening.
“Good to see Rotary and Rotarians out and about at the eisteddfod - and the opportunity to engage with those there was not missed, even had folk asking to join Rotary!” said President Debbie.
“The eisteddfod was an interesting mix of culture, music and exhibition - its diversity, in both people and exhibitors, and the energy generated made it a fascinating place to be in if only for a few hours. “The visit to RYLA reminded me why we do Rotary - put simply we provide experi- ences that inspire young people to take on challenges and develop as individuals, and in RYLA learn about team work and leadership. It was great to see this in the Brecon Beacons, and in chatting with participants and leaders it was clear that inspirational opportunities have enabled individuals to aspire to do more than they thought possible.
“But sometimes its in conversation that you find out about amazing projects - over a glass of cider and a burger I learnt about the Rotakids spending time in the ‘Loneliness’ café - bridging the generations and creating community. Well done to the Rotary Club of Narberth and Whitland.
“Thanks to DG Clive and Gil and all the Rotarians that made this visit both worthwhile and enjoyable.”
The Eisteddfod in Cardiff Bay was always going to be a different ‘tegell o bysgod’. Wellingtons could be left at home for once and there was going to be no frolicking in muddy fields this year. The fundamental difference however was that the majority of the sprawling show was free, which meant a far greater footfall and a lot more people who stopped for a chat at the Rotary cabin on the walkway to the Norwegian Church. A team of Rotarians drawn from the
Above, Maggie and Steve meet BBC Wales newsreader Jennifer Jones, whose late father was a committed Rotarian in Bangor and her mother still is..
Left, President Debbie joins in a spirited discussion at Storey Arms RYLA. Below, PDG Mike Parry makes a friend.
Cardiff clubs gamely staffed the ‘Rotary chalet’ together with a band of wonderfully committed Rotarians from as far afield as Lampeter, Aberystwyth, Llandovery and Narberth. Many other Rotarians took advantage of the open Maes to drop by and we were delighted to welcome back so many of our friends from the Welsh clubs in the North.
Any thoughts of a quiet snooze on the veranda in the heat of the mid-day sun were soon dispelled by the arrival of Public Image Co-ordinator, Mary Adams, armed with her Rotary Roundel, which must be so named because it ‘Round’s all’ celebrities for one photo shot after another. I’m sure that visiting RIBI President, Debbie Hodge, didn’t know what had hit her.
The camaraderie amongst the neigh- bouring cabin dwellers was excellent, especially our nearest neighbours St John’s Ambulance who had a WW1 ambulance on show, and throughout the week they were frequently seen treating wounded soldiers returning from ‘The Front’. Well it was either ‘The Front’ or ‘The Back’ (..of the beer tent). A good selection of bilingual posters and leaflets were on show with material avail- able regarding Dementia Friends, Beach Cleaning, the Tenovus Unit, as well as a Shelter Box, Lifestraws and information on our youth programmes. With space at a premium there was no room for much more but our members were never short of somebody to talk to.
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