Due to my senior moment we missed out in February, so I’ll try and bring the Diary up to date. John, our President, and Mike returned safely from India where they joined their Rotarians friends from the sub continent who do a marvellous job in trying to inoculate their great population against Polio and get rid of this dreadful disease from the planet. It exists in very few countries now but it is very difficult to eliminate from places like Pakistan and Afghanistan. Naturally they had a few adventures and, I think, were appalled by the poverty in some places.

We also entertained two gentlemen from the Manchester Camerata Orchestra. They explained to us about being essentially a chamber orchestra to play with similar instruments to that were used in the times of Mozart and Beethoven, They have about 40 professional musicians on their books and add to their number if the piece demands it. They invited us to see a rehearsal and a concert and some members hope to go in the near future. Another talk was the subject of nuclear medicine. In the recent past we relied upon the experience of Doctors to diagnose diseases from the patient’s appearance, blood pressure and temperature. Modern technology – sophisticated X-rays, MBI scans, blood analysis, ultra sound and now radio active isotopes injected into the blood stream, and then an analysis of the take up by various organs of the body, have taken this a stage further. It was an extremely interesting talk and we are lucky to live in this modern age.

Our Treasurer, Tom, did his usual competent job in arranging the annual Jazz concert with Mart Rodgers and his Jazz band. It raised a good deal of money for local charities and was most enjoyable. Unfortunately Jazz is not too popular with the younger generation and perhaps we need to consider their tastes and preferences if we are to continue to attract a full audience.

In March we entertain our neighbouring clubs at our annual Birthday Party or Charter Lunch. The following week the President of Rotary in Britain will visit us. We last had a visit by a gentleman of his exalted position in 1996. Good of him to rush back!

Thank goodness the weather is getting better, like every body else we look forward to spring, and hope that our attendances will improve with the weather.

If you cannot attend the Thursday Meeting please give your apologies before 10a.m. to George Cope