- Written by Bill Sutton
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The Rotary Club of Horbury and Ossett Phoenix Trust Fund has announced that it has money available to fund suitable projects in the Horbury and Ossett and surrounding areas of Wakefield and Kirklees. The cash has been raised by a number of fund raising efforts by the Rotary Club over the past 12 months such as Horbury Show, Santa’s Sleigh and the Christmas raffle. Rotary Club President Neil Kirkham said, “ We raise money to support both local and international good causes, but by far the majority of what we raise goes back into our local community and that is the area we wish to target with an appeal for community, youth, sporting groups and individuals, to come forward and apply for financial assistance. We are anticipating making grants/donations in the region of £400 each but will consider both larger and smaller requests for funding.”
Any organisation or individual wishing to make an application should contact the Rotary Club by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. before the request deadline of the 15th of March. An application form will be provided and given due consideration by our committees. Decisions will be made and applicants will be notified before the end of April with successful applicants also being invited to a presentation evening, to be held on Friday the 25th of May this year.
Previous application invitations have resulted in our providing equipment and team strips for youth sports teams; assistance with gaining coaching qualifications for adults involved in junior sport; the purchase of specialist equipment for individuals with additional needs; personal development courses for young people e.g. Outward Bound, Operation Raleigh; the provision of furnishings or decorations for those in need and Christmas meals for the elderly.
In the last 18 months the Trust Fund has spent over £28,000 benefitting local Schools (Horbury, Ossett, Ossett Towngate, Middlestown), Youth Leadership scheme, Outward Bound, Local Scouts, Local Junior Sports teams (Horbury Town, Sandal Minis + Juniors, Thornhill Trojans) Gifts for the Elderly and Hyacinths for the Blind or partially sighted, Wakefield Sight Aid, replacing seats in Carr Lodge park, large donations to Yorkshire Air Ambulance, 2 donations to local Flood Appeals at the start of 2017 as well as donations to various International Projects from Disaster Aid to educational projects.
- Written by Nick Bardsley
- Hits: 854
Janet Lodge – Ossett Youth Theatre
Janet has spent just about her entire life devoted to the theatre being everything from a performer through to being the director of Ossett Youth Theatre.
She founded Ossett Youth Theatre in 2002 which took over The Elizabethan Childrens Amateur Operatic Society.
Ossett Youth Theatre provides performance experiences for children from the age of 8 through to 20+ year olds who themselves have been with the theatre since they were younger.
In addition to the tireless work Janet has given to the Theatre, she has also worked as a School Secretary at Flushdyke Primary and Horbury Junior Schools where she also ran Out of School Drama Clubs, staging plays and theatre productions.
Janet is also a member of Batley Thespians, and the Kingsway Singers as well as involving herself with Keep Fit and raising money for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Linda King
Linda has devoted over 50 years to Girl Guiding and the Brownies providing development experiences for young girls from the ages of 7 to 10 in the Brownies and 10 to 14 in the Girl Guides
Having moved from Widnes to Netherton she began at the United Reform Church in Dewsbury and ran her own pack at the Parish Church in Thornhill Lees for 20 years
Linda is a voluntary leader with 44th Horbury Brownies and has been the group's Treasurer for 7 years. She continues to involve herself with fundraising for the pack and for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Linda was also honoured with a visit to Westminster Abbey in recognition of 40 years service to Girlguiding. She spends additional time reading with children to help develop their literacy skills
Brian Jennings and Katie Swift
Brian and Katie are the founding members of FLAG Fundraising (fun, laughs and giggles) in 2014 and have successfully raised over £14,000 for various worthy causes including; Wakefield Hospice, Cancer Research UK, Sheffield Childrens Hospital, Catch a Falling Star, Macmillan Cancer Care, Forget Me Not Childrens Hospice, REACT, Poppy’s Cause, Leeds Homeless Partnership, Wakefield Street Kitchen and CAP Care.
They tirelessly fundraised for the defibrillator in Horbury Town Centre and regularly feed the homeless either personally, or through supplying those that do. In addition to their support for their community, they have sent care packages for Syrian refugees and even dog food for Romanian strays.
Brian and Katie plan to keep growing FLAG to become their own registered charity and a significant force for good in the community.
It is worth mentioning that all members of FLAG are in their 20’s and early 30’s and despite having to juggle work and family commitments, contribute an incredible amount of their ‘free’ time to fundraising initiatives.
- Written by Paul Helliwell
- Hits: 1304
At our Rotary club meeting of the 21st September 2017 we were delighted to be given a presentation by a young lady who we sponsored to take part in the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) course held at a scout camp in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire.
Ione was a shy, quiet and reserved 16 year old when Club members Mike Robb and Paul Helliwell picked her up on a very wet Saturday morning in July to take her to the course. Ione was involved in a number of community related activities prior to the course and was a very deserving candidate for our club to provide sponsorship for her to attend the 2017 course.
Ione's presentation to our club was her way of telling us what a real difference the course had made to her, as a person, to her future in the real world of work and life in general.
She gave an insight into the daily life and activities the course offers and what she gained from each of the activities.
It was very clear from Ione's presentation and confident delivery that she had come a long way as a result of the course.
Ione gave the club her heartfelt thanks, expressing her appreciation for our sponsorship which allowed her to take part in an experience she will never forget.
At the end of her presentation, Ione was presented with her course completion certificate by our club president, Neil Kirkham. The presentation to the sponsoring Rotary club is the final task all RYLA candidates must do to complete the course.
So what is RYLA?
RYLA is a leadership development course that aims to help 16-18 year old young people realise their leadership potential, through a mix of indoor and outdoor activities to develop them as an individual, as a team member and as a leader of a team in a safe and enjoyable environment.
Every year we try as a club to sponsor a young person to take part in what is possibly one of the most rewarding experiences a young person can have.
An example of feedback from another past candidate that, it is fair to say, sums up Ione's experience too "Despite any insecurities or fears, a course like RYLA changes your heart, mind, soul and body for life"
If you know of a potential young leader from the Horbury and Ossett area that would benefit from and would like to attend a course like this and who will be aged 16 or 17 around the end of July or beginning of August 2018 then they should contact the Horbury and Ossett Phoenix Rotary club Paul Helliwell by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further information.
More information can be obtained from the RYLA District 1040 Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ryla1040/
- Written by Mike Robb
- Hits: 1079
On the 7th July 2017 the Horbury Breakthro' Youth Club Project held a Presentation Evening Sponsored by The Rotary Club of Horbury and Ossett Phoenix.
This was a great nights entertainment, put on entirely by the youth club members who must have worked tremendously hard to prepare for and rehearse the entertainment for an audience of approximately 80 people.
Phoenix President Neil Kirkham spoke about our support of youth in our district and in an era when young kids are criticised. The members of the Breakthro Club can be very proud of their achievements.
Photo shows the entertainers along with Rotary President Neil Kirkham and fellow Rotarians Mike Adams and Mike Robb:
- Written by Website Administrator
- Hits: 935
The Rotary Club of Horbury and Ossett Phoenix have this year funded a local man to go on a carer's holiday break organised by the Rotary Club of Scarborough.
CARER HOLIDAY PROFILE – an elderly couple both in their 80s
[we don’t think it is appropriate to identify the couple so we are simply referring to them as H and W ]
Husband (H) has cared for his wife (W) for over 25 years and she now has to use a wheelchair in some circumstances. Whilst caring for his wife H also had a health problem that required a quadruple heart bypass graft and additionally he suffers from diabetes. The couple have been married for over 56 years. H has a car on the government mobility scheme to transport his wife around for shopping etc. and regularly attends a local carers group for men where he finds help and assurance from other members in a similar position. Whilst John has been attending the group he has picked up artistic skills and now is an established artist and has produced some stunning water colour paintings. The offer of the carer holiday was gratefully accepted by the couple as W could be cared for by family members near Scarborough.
H was encouraged to accept the offer of the break by W as she understands the stress of having to wash and dress her every morning for 25yrs. The couple have had very little support from social care within the District. Members of Phoenix Rotary took H to Scarborough and brought him back at the end of it. Scarborough Rotary Club organised all the activities throughout the days and evenings for the 6 carers – and organised their transport while they were staying there.
After the Holiday H was driven home by one of the Phoenix members and this section includes some feedback that our club member received from H:
H was brimming with praise for the Red Lea Hotel in Scarborough and particularly for the excellent organisation carried out on his and the other carers behalf by the Rotary Club of Scarborough.
He said that he had been to 2 shows, a musical and a Bernie Clifton show and had several other outings to a variety of places including a stained glass centre, Burton Agnes and Flower of May to see the traction engine collection and Wurlitzer organ collection. He got on famously with their holiday driver (a past president of Scarborough Rotary Club) and also commented that all the members of his group got on very well with each other too. He mentioned that it was the best break he had had in 25 years and that when he wasn't being chauffeured around or being fed some very good food, he managed to do plenty of walking (which he loves). He sent his sincere thanks to the members of Horbury & Ossett Phoenix for making this possible.
Job well done Phoenix!
- Written by Website Administrator
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Earlier in the year Phoenix made several grants to local good causes, one of which was to Grangemoor Brass Band and as a result of that grant the Band were able to purchase two cornets for the new members pictured in the photo below.
Val Hope, Leader of the Youth Section of Grangemoor Band, said in an email to Phoenix:
"I would like to send pictures of the two children with their new cornets purchased with the grant money from the Rotary Club of Horbury and Ossett Trust Fund. Thank you so much for making this possible and we are now able to shorten our waiting list of children wanting to join the band... Thank you again."
- Written by Website Administrator
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We have been unable to contact the winners of the Ticket numbers 1192 and 1313 so if they could contact us then we'll deliver the prizes...
Use "Contact Us"
Prize 1 £100 Co-op Voucher ticket number 3216
Prize 2. £50 Co-op Voucher. ticket number 1589
Prize 3. £25 Co-op Voucher. ticket number 3604
Prize 4. Bottle of Whisky. ticket number 3276
Prize 5. Bottle of Cointreau. ticket number 3019
Prize 6 Grenache Wine + Mats. ticket number 3277
Prize 7. Trebianno Wine. ticket number 1503
Prize 8. Box of Chocs & Biscuits. ticket number 1333
Prize 9. Sauvignon Wine. ticket number 1192
Prize 10 Tray with Mosaic. ticket number 3151
Prize 11.Journey recorder + Wine. ticket number 0455
Prize 12 Tablet Stand + Keyboard. ticket number 1313
- Written by Website Administrator
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A donation of £500 from the Rotary of Horbury and Ossett Phoenix has helped Pledwick Cricket Club to buy equipment for the implementation of the coveted All Star Cricket Programme. This donation was in addition to the £8000 of donations to various organisations and good causes reported in last weeks Wakefield Express.
Pledwick CC has successfully been awarded the honour of hosting an All Stars Cricket (ASC) programme, a fantastic initiative organised by the ECB. Its aim is to promote cricket, specifically the 5 - 8 year olds, and Sunday 21 May 2017 was the first U9's Cricket Festival of the season to be hosted by Pledwick CC and was regarded as a taster event for the main programme that starts on Thursday 8 June from 5-6pm for 8 consecutive weeks. This is a great opportunity to get boys and girls involved in cricket and continue the feed through of talent into the County set up for which Yorkshire is justifiably proud.
Boys and girls came from Normanton CC, South Kirby CC, and Featherstone CC also took part in the festival which was a round robin event with the results being less important that the children having fun and enjoying the cricket with each other. It was particularly pleasing that Featherstone CC supported the event because they too have been selected to host the All Stars Cricket programme - such is the mutual support in junior cricket. Pledwick CC Cricket Development Manager Nigel Day said the success of the day was down to the spirit displayed by all players, parents, coaches and clubs when if a team was short handed players would be loaned to other clubs to make up the numbers. Pledwick and Featherstone clubs had to go through a strict selection process including additional training for coaches to achieve the All Star Cricket programme status.
The All Star Cricket Programme starts on Thursday 8 June from 5-6pm for 8 consecutive weeks. If you or your child want to become involved contact Nigel Day on 07766 310191
- Written by Bill Sutton
- Hits: 1040
On Friday night (5 May 2017) the Rotary Club of Horbury and Ossett Phoenix Charitable Trust enlisted the help of Wakefield Trinity and England Rugby League legend Neil Fox MBE to present over £8000 worth of donations to local community groups from the wider Wakefield area. Each recipient has applied for an award from the Trust following publicity in the Wakefield Express earlier in the year.
In opening proceedings, held at Horbury Working Mens Club, Rotary President Elect Neil Kirkham explained that the money awarded had been raised by the club through a number of events over the past year but mainly through the Horbury Show and the Santa's sleigh collections.
In total 29 individuals and groups applied for awards of up to £500 each which if all were granted far outstripped the amount available. A rigorous selection procedure brought the number of successful applicants down to 20 with awards of between £250 and £500 being made. In summary Junior sports teams, youth groups, dance troupes, a youth band, a school, two senior citizens groups and Friends of Horbury Lagoon, from Thornhill to Gawthorpe, and from Grange Moor to Wakefield Centre, reflects the geographic spread and variety of organisations receiving awards. Only one award was made for the benefit of an individual and that was to purchase an ipad with special learning applications to benefit Frankie Goswell aged 3yrs of Netherton. When Frankie went forward to collect his award with Dad and Mum there were many member of the audience wiping tears from their eyes.
Photos:
1. All recipients representatives with Neil Fox, and Rotary Club organisers.
2. Frankie Goswell with Mum and Dad and Neil Fox
- Written by Website Administrator
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At a recent rehearsal night of the Ossett Youth Theatre Group, The Rotary Club of Horbury and Ossett Phoenix presented a the cheque for £500 to the Group to help with the production of "Annie" at Ossett Town Hall in March 2017.
This Youth Theatre Group was formed in 2002 and currently has over 40 youth members of all ages. It is run entirely by adult volunteers, and some of these volunteers have been involved since that 2002 start.
The Group gives it's members the opportunity of an introduction to live theatre and to perform in front of audiences whilst picking up skills in singing, dancing and acting. In the past the Group have put on various productions including hit West End Shows like "The Wizard of Oz", "Peter Pan", "Half a Sixpence" and "Joseph and Technicolour Dreamcoat".
The Group are actively raising monies to help with ongoing costs by Carol Singing and Summer Concerts at their rehearsal rooms.
Our donation has helped tremendously with there current production of "Annie" and also has enabled the purchase of a new PA system.
Photo: Mick Miller the Immediate Past President of Phoenix presenting the cheque to Janet Lodge (right) with volunteer Patricia McCann M.B.E.(left) and Youth Group members:
Another Phoenix job well done!
- Written by Website Administrator
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The Rotary Club of Horbury and Ossett Phoenix provided £250 for the materials for the 5 benches to be refurbished. Roger Parkinson and his team prepared the stained planks at Wakefield Nursery Tree Wardens and Rotary volunteers helped Roger with the refurbishment on site, which involved removal of old planks, painting the frames and re-fitting the new planks to 5 benches, as can be seen what a difference this has made to Carr Lodge Park's image.
Passers by all commented on what a great job Rotary were doing to enhance the look and feel of the Park.
Before and After:
Far Right: Roger Parkinson of Wakefield Nursery Tree Wardens
Left to Right: Phoenix Rotarians, Nick Hunter, Alan Hudders, Nick Bardsley and Mick Miller
(Alan Hudders is Phoenix Rotary's Chair of Community Service.)
Another Phoenix job well done!