President's Rock 'n' Roll 1950's Night

What a difference a year makes! Twelve months ago the Rotary Club of Ballycastle were celebrating the ‘Roaring 20s’.

President’s Night 2014, will witness a time-shift of some 30 years as members pay homage to the ‘Fabulous Fifties’

It was a decade that witnessed the establishment of the European Common Market, the invention of the video recorder and the production of a vaccine for polio (a disease, which through Rotary’s efforts is almost eradicated).

From Cadillacs to Chuck Berry, Teddy Boys to Teenage heart-throbs, the 1950’s proved to be a period of unrivalled variety and optimism. This buoyant cultural experience was of course epitomised in the emergence of one Elvis Presley and no Rock’n’Roll night would be complete without an appearance by the Graceland legend!

Intermingled with the end of year celebrations will be several donations to local charities, and the announcement of our Spirit of Moyle winners - Rotary’s way of recognising those who greatly enhance their communities and the lives around them through tireless, voluntary efforts.

Entertainment, 4 course themed meal and reception cost just £30 per person. There will also be some great raffle prizes on offer – including one for best dressed girl and boy! So, this June 20^th, get those quiffs gelled, the petticoats starched and jive on down to the Central Restaurant. The diner opens 7.30 for 8pm. Tickets are available from Gemma McHenry on 07739405543.

Burns Returns!

                                                            BURNS RETURNS!

Following last year’s initial and very successful Burns Night, Ballycastle Rotary Club once again extends a warm invitation to toast and indeed, more importantly, sample that “Great Chieftain O’ The Puddin’ Race.”

Friday the 24^th January 2014 will be a must for lovers of Haggis, Tartan and Rabbie.

Billed as a ‘Burns Night Social’, patrons can dine, dance and delight in celebratory acknowledgement of the famous Scottish wordsmith’s life and work.

Complete with Piper, Caller (Mayor of Coleraine, Mr David Harding) and the obligatory Ode to the Haggis, those in attendance will experience first-hand the elements which combine to make this date such a memorable occasion. Rumour has it there might even be a song or two and as always, contributions from the floor are more than welcome.

Priced at £25 each, tickets can be purchased either through the Central Wine-Bar (07739405543) or from all Club members. Patrons will enjoy a 4 course dinner, entertainment and complimentary dram. For one night only, the Central Wine Bar will be transformed into a little piece of Scotland. Tartan-clad lassies and true Scotsmen a pre-requisite!

So why not blow away those January blues in style and join the Rotary Club of Ballycastle as we salute the “Plough-man Poet”

Mobsters, Molls, Flappers and Fedoras!

On Friday 21^st June, The Rotary Club of Ballycastle turned back the clock with a 1920’s themed President’s Ball. For a few hours the Central Restaurant had the undeniable feel of a Chicago speakeasy with the ladies looking every inch the stylish, confident, liberated individuals so typical of the period whilst the men would have had no trouble passing for Capone’s side-kicks!

However, aside from the jovial nature of the event, it was an opportunity for President Angela Bonnar to highlight the continued fund-raising efforts of the Club. Before a crowd of visiting Rotarians, friends and family, cheques were presented to NSPCC, Meningitis UK, PIPS, Ballycastle Community Rescue Service, Good Morning Ballycastle and Solas. Two weeks prior to this a significant amount was handed over to the Jole Rider project, capping a very fine effort which saw Ballycastle Rotary emerge as the leading collector of bikes in the province.

As with last year, the event provides a platform to reward our spirit of Moyle winners. Thanks to sponsorship from Solar Power NI. and public nominations, three very worthy candidates emerged to claim the titles of Young Carer, Young Volunteer and Community Champion. For Daniel Stewart, Joshua Hutchinson and Catherine Sands respectively, the awards are justly recognition of all the work they carry out for the betterment of family and community life. Certificates have now been distributed to all who were nominated. Thanks to everyone who contributed in any way.

Proceeds from a very well supported raffle boasting some wonderful prizes have been ear-marked to assist the Friends of the Cancer centre in their wonderful work and will be donated with the family’s wishes in memory of Callan McErlaine.

Best dressed Male award went to William Cross, Larne President, whilst the title of best dressed female – and there were many, belonged to his partner Tedi. Larne is obviously a very fashionable club!

Entertainment for the evening was provided by Carole-Ann Carlisle, a young lady who seamlessly transported guests to a time of soulful elegant songstresses whilst DJ Rory Patterson brought us back to the present with his lively set.

As with all Rotary gatherings, the whole evening was conducted in a spirit of friendship, fun and above all the knowledge that once again Ballycastle members were gathered to rightly celebrate another super year. Thanks to all who supported the event and to the Central for their wonderfully creative decor and deliciously themed meal – Al would have been proud!

Van Morrison at Dunluce - 2 x VIP tickets

We have been very generously given 2 VIP tickets for the upcoming Van Morrison concerts at Dunluce Castle. We are auctioning these to raise funds for Rotary charities.

What the auction is for:

2 x VIP tickets (unreserved seating)

Friday 7th June 18.00 OR Saturday 8th June 16.00 - your choice!

These tickets are worth £220 including fees. HIGHEST BID SO FAR IS £160.

http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Van-Morrison-to-play-historic-concerts-at-Dunluce-Castle-A3602

This will be a spectacular event in a stunning location. All bids should be sent to ballycastlerotary@gmail.com or sent by PM to us through Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ballycastle.rotary  including your name and contact number. If you are the highest bidder we will contact you to let you know and arrange payment and ticket delivery.

Good luck!

Spirit of Moyle Awards 2013 - Information

It is with great delight that the Rotary Club of Ballycastle is launching the 2013 “Spirit of Moyle Awards” sponsored by Solar Power NI. The thinking behind the awards is to recognise some of those unsung heroes within the local community who have gone that extra mile to help make it a better place.

There are three categories as detailed below:

1.       Young Carer (must be age 18 or under on 31^st May 2013)

To recognise someone who has acted as a carer within the community.  They may care for you or for someone else within the wider community.

2.       Young Volunteer (must be age 18 or under on 31^st May 2013)

To recognise an individual who has volunteered in one or more capacities where their input has helped make a difference.

3.       Community Champion (all ages)

To recognise an individual who has done something special in some form within the community. It is open to all age groups and hopes to recognise someone who has excelled within the community to help make it shine.

Who can nominate?

Nominations are open to everyone.  We may need to get in touch with you so please provide your contact number and address with your nomination.

Who can I nominate?

Anyone you feel fits the category – you can nominate more than one person in each category if you know more than one person who deserves that award.  We may need to contact the nominee so please provide a contact number and or address for them or their parent or guardian if they are under 18.

How do I nominate?

Nomination forms can be found online HERE or you can send us the information as detailed below.   You will need to send the information detailed below for each nomination indicating the category you wish to vote in.  You can submit completed nominations:

·by post to Ballycastle Rotary Awards, c/o 10 Main Street, Armoy BT53 8RQ

·or by emailing ballycastlerotaryawards@gmail.com

What happens after I nominate?

A panel will consider all nominations carefully and whittle the nominations down to a final three in each category before deciding on the winners of the 2013 awards.  If you have nominated you may be contacted and asked to provide further information and nominees may be contacted to ensure they are happy to be considered for the award. The decision reached by the Panel will be final.

When do I have to have my nomination in by?

The closing date for entries is 31^st May 2013 and the winners will be presented with their awards in June 2013.

INFORMATION REQUIRED

Name of the category you are voting for

Your name & contact details

Nominee’s name & contact details

Nominee’s age (if applicable)

Why does this person deserve this award? (using 200 words or less)

Anything else? 

You can find out more information on our Facebook page. 

An update from us...

Over the past few months we have been busy gathering bikes and books to send to Africa as part of the Jole Rider project.  Thanks to the support of family, friends and the local community we gathered a staggering number of them to send off in a container to Gambia.  We held a Burns Night to help raise funds for their carriage and some of our very brave members are taking part in a “Paddy Ride” this weekend to raise a few more ££s to make sure the bikes and books go safely on their way.  The “Paddy Ride” is a sponsored cycle between Dungannon and Cookstown and while seasoned pro Peter Dallat is taking part, Angela Bonnar, Gemma McHenry and Brenda Caher are a little more nervous about the challenge!  Donations can be made to any member of the club or there is a sponsor sheet in the Central if you have a pound or two to spare to support them!

On the horizon we have lots of other things coming up:

• Pre Grand National Night at the Races on 5^th April
• “Connect4Peace” - our ery first peace event at Corrymeela on 10^th April
• Charity Breakfast on 20^th April and
• President’s Night on 21^st June. 

We will also be launching the Spirit of Moyle Awards again shortly and might have another event or two up our sleeves.

We’ll keep you posted!

Youth Leadership Competition 2012

For the second year running the Rotary Club of Ballycastle is taking part in the Rotary Youth Leadership Development Competition.  Members of the club interviewed candidates in Ballycastle High School and Cross and Passion and one pupil from each school was taken forward and again interviewed a couple of weeks ago.  Alice Mee from Cross and Passion and Emma McCook from Ballycastle High School faced another interview panel where Emma McCook was ultimately chosen to go through to the Area Final of the Rotary Youth Leadership Development Competition which will be held in Larne later this month. 

 

Shorna Meggitt from Ballycastle Rotary Club commended both girls, “I feel that both of the girls are winners and it was a very difficult decision we had to make.  We have high hopes for Emma and will do all we can to support her through the rest of the competition.”

 

Good luck Emma!

 

L-R Malcolm Rankin, Shorna Meggitt, Emma McCook, Alice Mee, Angela Bonnar, Diana Evans