2019 Good Citizens Awards Evening
- Written by Bill Sutton
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Four Horbury residents have been recognised by the Rotary Club of Horbury and Ossett Phoenix for their long term commitment and contribution to local community life. All four were invited for a meal at the Rotary Club meeting where they were each presented with a framed certificate, trophy, and a celebratory bottle of wine, as a memento of their evening and acknowledging all they have done.
Wendie and David Wilby in recognition of their unstinting and selfless work for over 20 years with Horbury Pageant Players, and providing development opportunities to many people in our community.
Wendie and David had experienced life on stage in Ossett, Wendie in amateur dramatics and David as a choir member. 22 years ago the Horbury amateur theatre group, Horbury Pageant Players, asked Wendie to stand in at short notice after one of the cast had to drop out due to illness two weeks before a show. She soon learned the script and the show went on to be a great success.
Further acting parts followed before she changed role and became that of Producer/Director which involved sourcing the script, and organising auditions and rehearsals many months before the curtain goes up, and most importantly, directing the cast and crew. Up until a few years ago the group would present the pantomime in February plus a musical review in the summer, quite a commitment. All this wouldn't have been possible without the help and dedication of countless other volunteers over the years.
Husband David, being a loyal supporter, soon found that his joinery skills were required, making scenery and props, having learned how things worked back stage, he gradually moved into the difficult co-ordinating role of Stage Manager.
Over the twenty two years that Wendie and David had been involved with the Horbury Pageant Players, hundreds of people from the local community, from the very young to the more mature, have been on stage, gaining experiences which have boosted their confidence and skills for life. A few have gone on to study at RADA in London.
Having retired from the stage in 2018 Wendie and David were able to relax by attending the opening night of the 2019 pantomime. When presented with their award they modestly pointed out that the Pageant Players Group could not present the productions it has over its 72 year existence without the help of countless volunteers, players and of course public support.
Debora Smith was recognised for her commitment, energy and enthusiasm to promote community activities in the Horbury area
Debora’s commitment to the community of Horbury began over a decade ago when she first moved into the village and became a Leader for the local Beavers, a role which still takes up much of her free time.
She is a founder member of the Horbury W.I. taking a leading role as their first President and working hard to recruit new members to a very lively and proactive group. She has continued her involvement as the Treasurer.
Notwithstanding a full time job and her already extensive time commitments to the community, Debora has also undertaken a rigorous and exhausting training regime to take part in various half and full marathons, fundraising for the Haven, a local Breast Cancer support centre. She was also one of the brave competitors committing to a 12 week training programme for the Strictly Come Dancing event at Horbury School raising money for Breast Cancer Care.
Debora demonstrates a deep desire to make a difference to all communities and has recently completed an induction programme to be a Magistrate.
Julie Yarrow was recognised for her dedication and commitment to the people and community of Horbury by working to provide outstanding facilities and signposting opportunities
Julie began her involvement with Horbury the community of Horbury & District over a decade ago as the Wakefield Express local correspondent which entailed her connecting with local groups to promote events and activities in the area. Along with her partner and others she was also actively involved in the Friends of Carr Lodge Park which led to the creation of the existing childrens play area.
The knowledge and contacts she developed as our local correspondent proved invaluable as she became part of the organising team for the Horbury Craft and Street Fayre, an annual community event giving local groups the opportunity to promote their activities and crafts. This brought many visitors into Horbury and is one of the key summer events in the local calendar.
As a homeowner in Horbury, in 2008 she was elected as a Trustee of the Horbury Common Lands Trust, which is one of the oldest grant making Trusts in the country offering financial support to the people and fabric of Horbury.
Julie has worked for many years as a volunteer at the Community Centre and with her tenacity and drive has been a constant strength in developing the Cluntergate Centre. As a Trustee of the Horbury Community Centre Trust, Julie was one of the central figures in seeking and obtaining significant grants for the recent refurbishment.
Within every community there are the movers and shakers and there are those who just do and Julie Yarrow is certainly one of those who quietly works in the background, seeking no public recognition but deserving the acknowledgment she shuns.
The awards were presented by the current Horbury and Ossett Phoenix Rotary President Alan Hudders and seen on the left of the photos is Club member and Past President Ian Rayner who not only coordinated the research on the candidates but also organised and compered the Presentation Evening. A big thankyou to him for his hard work.
2019 Seniors Treat
- Written by 2018/19 President Alan Hudders
- Hits: 2671
On Wednesday 27th March 2019 The Horbury & Ossett Phoenix Rotary Club provided a treat for 147 Seniors form Horbury/Ossett Area.
The afternoon included bingo, an entertainer Ken Romano, a packed lunch sandwich, sausage roll and bun, supplied from Boulby's and served with tea and coffee, finishing with a raffle.
Thanks to a number of Rotary members and some partners the Event ran very efficiently and was enjoyed by all attendees.
This was achieved by using some of the funds raised over the Christmas period's Santa's Sleigh Runs.
Once again another example of Rotary making a real difference in our Community.
Phoenix Rotary helps Morrisons lead the way on World Cancer Day
- Written by Bill Sutton
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Morrisons Supermarket on Dewsbury Road, Wakefield, is leading the way with their fundraising efforts for the Clic Sargent cancer charity and the Rotary Club of Horbury and Ossett Phoenix have been regularly lending them a hand over the past 9 months by conducting bucket collections in store, including last Friday which was World Cancer Day.
So far Morrisons have raised over £13,100 in the last financial year and the Rotary collections have contributed over £2800 to that total. Mike Robb, Youth Services Chairman of the Rotary Club said, " It is great for us to be able to support the charity fundraising efforts of Bev Kelly and her colleagues at Morrisons. The team at the supermarket have also been very supportive of our efforts to raise funds for our charitable trust by allowing us to take Santa and his helpers to the store over the Christmas period. We will be inviting Bev and her Manager along to our Presentation evening in May when we intend to distribute a significant amount of money amongst many charities and good causes within our communities."
Bids for funds from the Rotary Charitable Trust can be made up to and including 28 February 2019, use this email address to ask for an Application Form: email address now deleted or contact through Facebook at Rotary Club of Horbury and Ossett Phoenix.
Photo Rotarians Mike Robb and
Ian Rayner collecting at Morrisons
Wakefield Hospice - Christmas Tree Collections
- Written by Stephen Brook
- Hits: 2155
The Rotary Club of Horbury & Ossett Pheonix are proud to support Wakefield Hospice once again and many of our members will be making some of the Christams tree collections on their behalf.
It is a great cause & very useful service in January! An easy way to maximise your charitable donations.
The Great War Centenary Commemorative Oak Tree blessed by Father Christopher Johnson
- Written by Website Administrator
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On Wednesday 7th November 2018 as we approached the 100th anniversary of the signing of the armistice which marked the end of the Great War of 1914 -1918 the Commemorative Oak tree in Carr Lodge Park, Horbury was blessed by Father Christopher Johnson of St Peter's Church. The tree was planted the day before with the help and guidance of the "Wakefield Tree Wardens" ably assisted by members of the Phoenix Rotary Club.
This is a significant moment for The Rotary Club of Horbury and Ossett Phoenix who have worked hard to make the planting of this tree happen. Credit is due in particular to the members of the "Remembrance 2018 Team" made up of several Phoenix Rotary members headed by the Chair of the Club's Community Service Committee, Nick Bardsley. The team also includes this year's Phoenix Rotary President Alan Hudders. Nick Bardsley is seen here beside the tree after the blessing ceremony. A picture including some of the good folks of Horbury, including local Councillor Darren Byford, who braved the pouring rain to attend, will follow.
The plaque that accompanies the Comemorative Oak
The crowd that braved the rain at the Tree Blessing
Phoenix Rotary's Community Service Chairman Nick Bardsley
Horbury Coop Local Remembrance 2018 - Display
- Written by Website Administrator
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As part of a local project marking the Centenary of the End of World War 1 in 1918, the Horbury Coop kindly hosted a display board for the project team.
So what was it all about?
From the end of August 2018 until at least Remembrance Sunday on November 11th we had a display board in Horbury Co-op featuring approximately 16-20 individual "pages" of the local men who died in World War 1.
Many local people whilst shopping at the Coop stopped to browse and reflect upon these poignant fact sheets and photos of the 192 men of Horbury and Sitlington who gave there lives in this conflict.
PhysioNet
- Written by Michael Adams
- Hits: 2584
PhysioNet, established in 2005, is a North Yorkshire based charity that provides people that have disabilities in developing countries and Eastern and Central Europe with physiotherapy equipment, wheelchairs, mobility items and some hospital hardware.
Throughout the UK, a lot of equipment, is no longer required by a variety of agencies, for example the NHS, Local Authorities, Social Services and the private sector... and it would generally end up in land fill sites! PhysioNet has built up a network of of enthusiastic volunteers to collect such donated equipment and deliver it to a PhysioNet's depot in North Yorkshire...The Equipment is then catagorised, checked, wrapped and listed. Items are then hand packed into 40ft containers for shipment to countries around the world, eg Fiji, Ghana, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Bulgaria, Romania, Bhutan, Syria, Belarus, Ukraine, Ghana, South Africa etc.
Brickhouse Youth Club to the Rescue
- Written by Alan Hudders
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As a result of a Senior Resident in Croftlands who was frightened to sit out on her patio due to possibility of slipping on the moss and debris, we got a request for help with clearing the patio. I mentioned to Tracey (PCSO) @ Brickhouse YC that we had this resident needing help and she immediately said leave it to us the youths @ (Brickhouse YC). So after arranging to visit the premise on Sunday 8th July along with 1 Youth (Olivia) who is a leader at the YC they set about clearing the patio to make it fit for the resident to sit out. The pictures show how bad the patio was before the work was completed, and the satisfaction of the resident on completion of the work . As a result of this excellent response the Manager (Karen) at Croftlands which is an Independent Living Scheme run by WDH has now had several more requests which Brickhouse YC are happy to take on. It shows how younger people in the community can integrate and help older people and they must feel proud of what they have achieved.
Well done Olivia and thanks for Tracey's help in organising this.