JANUARY has been quite a busy month for the Rotary Club of Brecon, starting with welcoming local resident Richard Walters as a new member to the Club. Richard farms at Llandew and is involved with Brecon Show.
The Castle of Brecon Hotel was presented with a certificate in recognition of their support for the Rotary Club’s ‘End Polio Now’ campaign by lighting the hotel with a purple light last autumn. The certificate was received by Stephanie Cooper on the hotel’s behalf.
Congratulations were given to Mike Evans and Cath Quarrell on their district appointments: Mike as assistant governor and Cath as community and vocation chair. We now boast two club members on the district executive. Owen Hughes our president, is currently on an eight-week mission to Lesotho, under the auspices of the Welsh government, to offer advice on their treatment of mental health.
President Elect Hayley Ridge Evans took Brecon and Ystradgynlais Young Carers for a trip to the Westenders pantomime. The trip gives the youngsters the opportunity to enjoy a few hours with others in similar circumstances and a break from their caring responsibilities. We were very pleased to help and support Brecon High School students with mock interviews, and the Rotarians who participated found it a most enjoyable and worthwhile experience. We hosted the local round of the Rotary Young Chef competition. A very high standard was shown by all the competitors and Victoria Bowen, of Gwernyfed High School, went on to represent the club at the area final of the Young Chef competition at Crickhowell High School.
Julie Williams, the regional fundraising manager for Ty Hafan, gave us a very insightful talk on the workings of the hospice. Ty Hafan is one of the UK’s leading paediatric palliative care charities. We were all struck by the care given to those who unfortunately need to use their facilities.
CAROL HERBERT