Happy Christmas 2016

Visit Ballymoney Rotary & Black Santa "Tree of Remembrance"

Christmas Dinner with Inner Wheel & Probus

This was an opportunity to celebrate Christmas with representatives of Inner Wheel & Probus.

Ballymoney Rotary Tree of Remembrance 17-14th. December 2016

The "Rotary Tree of Remembrance" is the Club's flagship project for Christmas and will run 17^th to 24^th December.  The Tree of Remembrance has been an outstanding success in many other towns such as Limavady.

The purpose of the Tree is to give members of the public an opportunity to write a message of remembrance onto a silky yellow ribbon, in recognition and memory of departed loves ones, those living abroad, who cannot be with them over the Christmas period, family or friends in hospital or ill at home, or for any other reason, to remember someone at this time of year.

All ribbons are then attached onto looped strings of tape, and gradually hoisted on top of Ballymoney's Christmas tree, as the tapes fill up.

In return, people are requested to make a small voluntary donation towards Ballmoney's Black Santa, aka Lam Beckett.  All monies collected in this way are being distributed to local charities, The Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul, The Samaritans, Drop Inn Ministries and Compass Advocacy.

Club members will join Liam at his "home from home" at the Diamond every afternoon in the week leading up to Christmas. The Christmas tree is located outside the Town Hall. The messages will be written at the Black Santa site and hoisted on to the tree every evening.

The official launch is scheduled to take place on Saturday 17^th. December at 3pm.

Rotary Club of Ballymoney President Richard Orr said "We are delighted to give members of the public the opportunity to remember their loved ones who cannot be with them at this time of the year. I feel that this will be one of the most positive projects of the year.  This is Black Santa's eleventh year and it's great to be able to join Liam in his sit out for our local charities."

Liam Beckett, Ballmoney's Black Santa said "This is a fantastic project and I am delighted that Ballymoney Rotary will be joining me in my sit out this Christmas."

The club will collect the ribbons from the Tree of Remembrance on Christmas Eve, keep them safe over Christmas and New Year.  

The Rotary Club of Ballymoney was formed in 1965.  There are 33,000 clubs in 200 countries and geographical areas. Rotary clubs are open to men and women of all ages who are business, professional or community leaders and who want to use their experience for the benefit of others.

Special General Meeting 7-12-16

Special or Extraordinary General Meeting was held 1pm at the Old School House

1. Accounts for 2015-16 were adopted, members should contact our secretary for a copy.

2. Election of Officers 2017-18
President - John Flynn
President Elect - Vacant
Honorary Secretary - Michael Fleming
Honorary Treasurer - Jimmy Dunlop

3. Election of 3 voting delegates 2017-18

Press event with Chamber of Commerce

Rotarian Sean represented the club at the press release for the Chamber of Commerce.  The club had agreed to help out by acting as stewards on Saturday 10th.

Ballymoney U3A History Project

President Richard welcomed members from Ballymoney U3A

U3A helped up plant our 5,000 crocuses last month.

Marie Hegarty and John Michael told the story of the growth of the U3A in Ballymoney

Kathleen Connolly leads on their histroy project archiving old pictures and memories of Ballymoney and its residents



http://u3asites.org.uk/ballymoney/page/57024

The Local History Project is a new venture, facilitated by: Kathleen Connolly and several others
The Group Leader is Gladys Mallon.

LOCAL HISTORY PROJECT “BALLYMONEY REVISITED”
The Group meets “once a month” plus supplementary meetings as required to pursue the venture! Members will be able to volunteer to carry out research into a point of interest.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Many have expressed an interest in local history, and members will have an expertise and experience which they could share. As a start the following is a project that could get us going.

AIM OF PROJECT
The aim would be to make a timeline of the business premises in Ballymoney.
i.e. Grounds Coffee was Wilson McMichael’s, men’s outfitter, before that Maconaghie’s general outfitter and before that Cochrane’s general outfitter. 4 High St
The idea would be to collect as much data together as possible. There is a lot on the internet ie Griffith Valuations (1860) followed by the Revision Books up to 1930s and then it requires a trip to PRONI for the period 1930-1950 and finally personal recollections to bring things up-to-date.
The above records need to be linked to modern street numbers so that businesses can be pinpointed. An example of this is this ad I found in a local newspaper. Where exactly was Gordon’s in Main St

In fact this begs the questions where did Cromies and Taggarts operate from? I can guess at the answers, but I would like to know the definitive answer.
Lots of old photos, new photos, advertisements and then STORIES
Much of this is already gathered together but needs sorted, but the extra details that go with all of it need to be found and recorded so that locals and visitors alike will know the business history of the town.
Bill Macafees site and his Church Street research, as well as much more. He has given permission to use this data, which will be a great starting point.

New members are always welcome.
For further details CONTACT Group Leader Gladys Mallon at 02827664036

NI Childrens Hospice Collection at Tesco

Big thanks to members who gave up their sunday afternoon at Tescos collecting for NI Childrens Hospice.

This is now an annual event and we collected over £300 during the 4 hours.  The people of Ballymoney are so generous.

Presidents Night Saturday 26th. November at Royal Portrush

DG Gerry visit to our club meeting 23-11-16

Our club welcomed District Governor Gerry Kierans and Assistant Governor William Cross.

Following is a message from Gerry kierans

Dear President Richard, I wish to thank you, your Club Council and Members for the very warm welcome, hospitality and gifts received on my visit to your club on Wednesday.

I was very impressed to hear of the very many projects and programmes under taken by your club, and to read your comprehensive “To Do List” below. I encourage you to work with DGNN William to update the successes on Rotary Showcase.

While your total membership numbers are fine, your challenge is to introduce diversity and younger members who are active in the commercial/business/vocational area in your locale. Best wishes in this particular endeavour.

I shared with you and your members the District Primary goals:

1)      Membership retention and Growth (this is an imperative for clubs throughout the District)

2)      Continuing to support Project H2O (a 3 project that may extend to 4 to reach the total financial target)

3)      Enrolling all club members in Rotary Foundation’s Sustaining Membership Annual Giving of $100

(to coincide with Foundation’s Centennial) (Application form is online)

 I do encourage you to continue all the great work undertaken by your club and please call on DGNN William and myself should you have any questions or help.

I look forward to meeting you and your club members again very soon.

Youth Leadership Awards - Zone final

Three outstanding winners off to the European Parliament

Rotary Youth Leadership - Winners from Area Finals, Lodge Hotel 16-11-16

The club was asked to organise the Zone 2 finals which were held at the Lodge hotel. Big thanks to all involved.

Rebecca, Christopher & Ruth "Areas Winners"

Ruth Mullan, Christopher McKee & Rebecca Richardson from Coleraine, Limavady & Dungannon have been selected as winners of the area finals of Rotary Ireland Youth Leadership Competition.

During the last month 119 young people, 22 schools covering the Rotary clubs of  Coleraine, Ballymoney, Ballycastle, Limavady, Ballymoney Dungannon, Larne & Carrickfergus have been involved in a rigorous competition. 

The Youth Leadership Competition, aimed at pupils age 16-18 gives young people an opportunity to develop their leadership and networking skills.

Ballymoney Christmas Lights 17th. November 2916

First stop for Santa within Causeway Coast & Glens is Ballymoney Town Centre on Thursday 17th November! Festivities will begin at 6.15pm with Beatz Entertainments handing over the stage to carol singing from Balnamore Primary School choir. Santa will be arriving in a festive truck with special guests the Dunlop Brothers around 7.10pm in order to turn on the lights, alongside Mayor of the Borough, Alderman Hickey, at 7.30pm. Santa’s schedule continues as he will make his way to his Grotto where he will distribute gifts. Local band Picture the Sound will then be taking to the stage to entertain the crowd.

Sequence of Events:

Entertainment will be provided from the events stage as follows:
18.15 Beatz Entertainment
18.30 Balnamore Primary School Choir
19.10 Santa Arrival via Linenhall Street with Dunlop Brothers
19.15 William and Michael Dunlop Interview
19.25 Welcome Mayor
19.30 Switch On with Mayor, Santa, and Dunlop Brothers
19.32 Picture the Sound Live Band to 20.30

From 19.45pm Christmas gifts will be handed out by Santa from his Grotto 
placed on High Street/Linenhall Street with the queue formed on Linenhall Street.

For further information please contact Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Events Team on 028 7034 7034 or see our Facebook and Twitter accounts or Website.




http://www.visitcausewaycoastandglens.com/Ballymoney-Christmas-Lights-Switch-On-Ballymoney-P63184

Remembrance Sunday, British Legion

President Richard had the honour of laying a wreath on behalf of the club at the British Legion

Youth Development Club Final at Dalriada

We interviewed 11 young people from Dalriada and the High schools this morning and were delighted to be able to select Benedict Anslow represent Ballymoney at the Area Finals next week.

We were very impressed with all the candidates and all have great leadership potential and we feel sure that they will have significant roles in the future.

What is a Men,s Shed?

President Richard welcomed Hugh Elliott who presented the plans for a "Mens Shed" in Ballymoney.

What is a Men’s Shed?

A Men’s Shed is a larger version of the typical man’s shed in the garden – a place where he feels at home and pursues practical interests with a high degree of autonomy. A Men’s Shed offers this to a group of such men where members share the tools and resources they need to work on projects of their own choosing at their own pace and in a safe, friendly and inclusive venue. They are places of skill-sharing and informal learning, of individual pursuits and community projects, of purpose, achievement and social interaction. A place of leisure where men come together to work.

A Shed’s activities usually involve making or mending in wood (e.g. carpentry, joinery, turning, carving, whittling, marquetry, furniture renovation) but may include metalworking (milling, sheet metal, welding, etc.) bike repair, gardening, electronics, tool renovation, boat renovation, model engineering (model railways, planes) and even building a car! Reclamation, reuse and restoration will feature strongly – and some say that is true of the men too! Although Sheds mostly attract older men, some have included men of any age, women and young people. Whichever activities are pursued the essence of a Shed is not a building, which some don’t have, but the network of relationships between the members.

Chris Alexander, Triangle Housing

President Richard welcomed Chris Chris Alexander from Triangle Housing

From a small start in Portrush Triangle is now one of Ballymoneys largest employers and one of the Regions largest housing associations.

Chris described the wide range of projects that they were involved with promoting independent living including floating support.

Floating Support is a flexible service which helps people secure and maintain their tenancy. Our Floating Support Officers provide practical support and advice to vulnerable people within their own homes and the community. Triangle provides a range of floating support services across Northern Ireland. - 
See more at: http://www.trianglehousing.org.uk/floating-support#sthash.fHu9IINp.dpuf

Ballymoney Rotary plant 5,000 purple crocuses to celebrate World Polio Day

World Polio Day 2016

Monday 24th. October 2015
Ballymoney Rotary joined with Ballymoney & District Gardening Club, U3A & Inner Wheel and planted 5,000 purple crocuses to celebrate World Polio Day at the verge adjacent to St. James, Newbridge & Portrush Road.
Richard Orr, President of Ballymoney Rotary Club said "For over 30 years Rotary has been working hard to rid the world of polio. We are closer than ever to wiping out this terrible disease that can kill or severely disable children".
The purple crocus is a symbol of Rotary’s worldwide campaign to eradicate polio, with its colour representing the purple dye used to mark the finger of a child who has been immunised. Rotary clubs in the Great Britain & Ireland will be planting over six million purple crocuses this year as part of it's Purple4Polio partnership project with the Royal Horticultural Society.

Fwd: National awards ‘first’ for Ballymoney retailer Basil Knipe

-Congratulations to Rotarian Basil Knipe

http://m.ballymoneytimes.co.uk/news/ballymoney-news/national-awards-first-for-ballymoney-retailer-1-7639737

Basil Knipe Electrics was honoured at the Sirius Buying Group Retailer of the Year 2016 Awards.

Established in 2004, the independent retailer sells domestic appliances of major manufacturers.

Offering his congratulations, North Antrim DUP MLA Mervyn Storey said: “Basil and all at the company are to be commended for their success in this year’s, Sirius Buying Group Retailer of the Year 2016 awards.

“The Sirius Buying Group is an organisation of independent retailers with over 130 members and 225 stores UK wide. Despite challenging competition the well-known Ballymoney company came out on top.

“Their success is even more commendable as this is the first time a company from Northern Ireland has ever won the award. To all, I say well done.”

Social evening meeting at Carmichaels

Another  return to Carmichaels

Ballymoney Rotary planting 5,000 crocuses on World Polio Day 24th. October 16

Come and join us to Celebrate  “World Polio Day”

Monday 24^th. October 2016, 10am to 4pm

We need your help to plant 5,000 crocus corms

At the verge adjacent the mini roundabout (St. James) at Newbridge Rd/Portrush Road, Ballymoney

Bring a spade & trowel

For over 30 years, Rotary has been working hard to rid the world of polio. We are closer than ever to wiping out this terrible disease that can kill or severely disable children.

Rotary clubs in Ireland UK will be planting over six million purple crocuses this year as part of its Purple4Polio project.  

Business & Feedback from Conference

Rotary Youth Leadership Development Competition 2016

Youth Leadership Development Competition 2016

This competition is one of our longest running projects and it rewards young people with clear leadership potential based on their extra-curricular activities. Last year we reviewed the format of the competition and we will keep this programme for the coming school year. Winners will visit Belfast and meet with local political, business leaders, then we travel to Dublin for further meetings with leaders and then the highlight of the trip will be to debate a variety of motions in the European Parliament in Strasbourg at Euroscola.NB: ALL entrants must be under eighteen years of age on 31st March 2017

Questions and answers, please contact Youth Leadership Competition co-ordinator

Sam Crowe � Rotary Club of Carrickfergus, Rotary Youth Leadership Project Office
22 Marshallstown Road, Carrickfergus, Co Antrim BT38 9DE
Tel: 028 (048 from R.o.I.) 9336 3686; Fax: 028 (048 from R.o.I.) 9336 2452
Email:sam@homesbycrowe.co.uk

The Youth Leadership Development Competition is run by Rotary International in Ireland. Submission of a completed Nomination Form is conditional on each applicant agreeing to abide by the Competition Rules.

YDLC Document Downloads ...

Application Form

Acceptance of Rules and Guidelines

Guidance for Hosting Clubs

Hosts_Clusters_2016_2017

Rotary Photo Permission To Be Used

YLDC_Guidance_Notes_2016_2017  

YLDC Scorecard_2016_2017 

RIBI Protection Policy

Club Stage Certificate

Schools Certificate

Evening meeting Ryan Moore & friends from Australia 5-10-2016

Ryan Moore, Ballymoney Rotary Club's "Peace & Reconciliation Scholar" in 2008 was our guest speaker. he was joined with members of RC Darwin South and RC Adelaide Flagstaff Hill.

Ryan gave an update on the Peace & Reconciliation scholarships and how it had influenced his future life and career. He is now a police sergeant in Armagh following local government work.

There are now in excess of 900 scholars,. Ryan spent part of his time in Australia and was put in touch of members of the Rotary Club of Flagstaff following a severe accident.



President Richard welcomed Joanne Schilling and Percy Peel from Wanguri

President Richard exchanged Pennants with Merdith and Adrian of the Rotary Club of Flagstaff

Tis was also a welcome return to our old venue, now Carmichaels

http://www.rotarynews.info/club3754

Annual District Conference - The Keadeen Hotel, Curragh Road, Newbridge, Co Kildare.

Annual District Conference - The Keadeen Hotel, Curragh Road, Newbridge, Co Kildare.

Business & Fellowship

Lend With Care Presentation

Gordon Robinson made a presentation about our Lend With Care microfinance project.

Lendwithcare brings together entrepreneurs in developing countries with people with the power to help them - people like you. Run by one of the world's leading aid and development organisations, Lendwithcare is a revolutionary way for you to help people in the developing world to transform their lives.


It starts with an idea

Whether it's opening a market stall, or perhaps a small tailoring business, or diversifying the crops they grow, people across the developing world are bursting with business ideas – all they need is a helping hand to get started.

Follow the link for a short video about Lend With Care


https://youtu.be/xGXOXcLuN2Q

Business & Fellowship

Christmas Tree of Remembrance "What Works"

Brian McMurray from Limavady attending this evening meeting at the British Legion.
He shared their experience and discussed what we would need to do to get our project off the ground

Long Service Awards

Our meeting at Harmony Hill was an opportunity to present a number of long service awards to a number of our members on behalf of KR Ravindran, 2015-16 President, Rotary International.

It is a gift to be a Rotarian, to be able to join with others to educate our children, rid the world of polio, feed the hungry, and bring peace and hope to areas of conflict.

Harmony Hill with John Pinkerton

Super location, super speaker and super meal.

President Richard presented a number of long term awards

Buddy Hughes - A Tribute

George (Buddy) Hughes 1935 - 2016

George (Buddy) Hughes was president of Ballymoney Rotary Club during a golden era in the mid ‘80s.

During a ‘business’ meeting at Ballymoney Rugby Club one Saturday afternoon in early 1983 the Rotary Club hierarchy for the following 4 years was sorted. Sam Moore started the presidential run in 1983 followed by John McElderry, Buddy Hughes and Hugh Clarke. The Club’s reputation for diligence, friendliness and fellowship grew immensely during that time. Under Buddy’s influence and as a result of his year as president the Club was awarded Rotary Ireland’s Dennis Duggan trophy for Fellowship. The award was a surprise and was announced during the Annual Conference in Galway. The Ballymoney Club members were so busy elsewhere, extending fellowship to others that evening that none of them thought they should be at the ceremony. What a brilliant reputation to have – fellowship coming first! Ballymoney collected the Trophy the next day - Sunday morning from none other than Galway’s Bishop Casey who incidentally, subsequently got himself into a spot of hot water over his liaison with a lady called Annie Murphy.

The seeds sown in Ballymoney Rotary Club by Buddy Hughes resulted in a series of District awards including the Route Salver for entertaining Foundation Scholars and the memories of the 1986 conference were almost certainly the reason the Club carried off the highest club attendance award when the conference returned to Galway in 1990.

Buddy had a huge influence on the growth and reputation of Ballymoney Rotary Club, indeed he had an enormous positive influence in all who encountered him. Buddy and Joan’s catering background ensured that any event involving the Club providing food was in expert hands.

He and Joan were a tremendous double-act and encouraged all with whom they came in contact. 

The Club was honoured to have him as a guest last November when it celebrated its 50^th birthday.

He made a difference and will be sadly missed by so many.

Business Networking lunch

President Richard welcomed SamConnolly and his wife Mary.
Sam is a member of Limavady and Mary a member of Clonmel.

President Richard exchanged pennants with Mary

One of this years objectives is
1. To engage with local business and host at least 3 networking events
2. To host a "Young Employee of the Year" award
3. To work collaboratively in common projects and activities

This lunch meeting was an opportunity to discuss and see how we can move forward

http://www.rotarygbi.org/business-networking-groups/

How Can Rotary Help with Business Networking?

Because Rotary consists of a cross-section from every business community and its members come from all walks of life you will be interacting and striking up friendships with a diverse cross section of people, giving you the opportunity to share in business networking groups and networking events.

 Join Networking Groups with Rotary

There is no better way to meet such a group of contrasting people, allowing you to take advantage of unique business networking opportunities or joining bespoke business networking groups. By taking part in local, regional and national Rotary initiatives, you will meet a wealth of other professionals that could help your business.

Businesses often encourage their staff to become involved with Rotary to capitalise on business networking opportunities to improve skills such as networking event management, organisation, time management, teamwork and leadership.

If you feel that you could benefit from the business networking opportunities that Rotary can offer you, we’d like to hear from you! Simply fill in the form that can be found by clicking here and we shall get back to you concerning your business networking enquiry.

Rotary Quadrangle Golf at Castlerock

This years quadrangle was organised Limavady and held at Castlerock.

The event now involves 5 clubs, Londonderry, Limavady, Coleraine, Ballymoney & Ballycastle.

Building Communities Resource Centre

President Richard welcomed Angela Mulholland & Shauna Irons from the BCRC.

Building Communities Resource Centre (BCRC) employs a full-time Co-ordinator and an Administrator to provide support to a network for community and voluntary organisations; advice, guidance and information on community development issues, projects and funding; focussed support to areas identified as having weak community infrastructure.

We deliver information and support for fundraising activities; community education and training for personal and group capacity development; governance and management support for community associations; support with strategic and action planning; research and evaluation; facilitation of cultural awareness sessions, and community dialogue facilitation.

If any further areas of need are identified by members from within the local community we will endeavour to address that need as quickly and as efficiently as possible or signpost to specialist organisations.

The Rooting for Change Together programme and our wider work on building relationships and promoting community cohesion is currently being supported by the Community Relations Council.

BCRC also operates and manages an Ethnic Minority and Migrant Workers Support Project as well as a Disability Development Programme each having two staff members who are dedicated to the advancement and social inclusion of those who feel either marginalised by society or who are simply new to the area and wish to learn more. Both of these programmes conduct significant work with local schools associated with the global citizenship and community relations, equity and diversity in education elements of the curriculum.

BCRC is lead partner for the Causeway Older and Active Strategic Team Reaching Out: Connecting Older People project – COAST Older and Active. We also host the Community Navigator for Older People – Causeway Locality, a post designed by the Northern Trust and PHA to act as a bridge between health professionals, service providers for older people in the community and voluntary sector and older people in the Ballymoney, Coleraine and Moyle areas.