Networking

There are so many worthy local community groups all serving their localities on limited resources, often struggling to motivate volunteers and sometimes unaware of other groups who may be able to assist or signpost.  I set out in my presidential address to the club  at our Club Assembly, my intention to network with as many local organizations as possible and help facilitate many projects for the betterment of our town.  These are the causes I’ve managed to become involved with in the first couple weeks of July:

Pride of Hucknall

The Pride of Hucknall awards were inaugurated in 2008 in memory of long-serving Hucknall County Councillor Nellie Smedley.   The prestigious accolades recognizes the accomplishments of Hucknall young people aged between 11 and 17, over the last year.  The Pride of Hucknall presentation ceremony will take place on Saturday 22^nd September 2012, at the Central Methodist Church, Baker Street.  The ceremony will include a performance by the Hucknall and Linby Mining Community Brass Band and the presentation of medals to all nominees.

The Big Draw

The Big Draw is the world’s biggest celebration of drawing. It has grown into a month-long festival running throughout October in all parts of the UK. Every year more organisers across the world join the Big Draw family and run drawing events to engage their communities in creative activities. Sure Start, Hucknall are driving the event under the title 'Flying the Flag for Hucknall' and are encouraging the involvement of as many community groups as possible. Vinyl banners are being sought which will be used to make bunting. Local schools are involved and will be making bunting that features self-portraits of all pupils to hang outside their schools. During October school half-term, there will be craft activities at different locations around Hucknall and exhibitions being held at the Library, on the Market Place and in the Gallery in Baker Street.

“Facebook and Funding”

A project, ‘Focus on Funding’ launched by Nottinghamshire CVS ran a seminar entitled “Facebook and Funding.”  The event took place at the Summit Center, Kirby-in-Ashfield, which also happens to be the home of the Rotary Club of Kirby.

I went along expecting to learn how best to utilize facebook anticipating that I would learn about ways in which social media sites could be used to raise funds for projects.  From conversations that took place, most attendees expected the same.

However, the content focused on using social media effectively to promote fund-raising projects and events and therefore receive extra funding from increased attendance and donations.

Thursday Club Diamond Jubilee Party

The group, which has been running for over 15 years, meets at Hucknall Leisure Centre, on Linby Road, every week and offers help and guidance to adults and children with special needs and mental and physical disabilities.

The Thursday Club originally began under the guidance of PP Terry Moult.  Twin brothers Andrew and Steven Haywood became child members but now serve as Secretary and Chairman of the Thursday Club respectively.  Steven also joined Hucknall Rotary Club in 2011. His twin brother, Andrew, proudly carryied the Olympic Flame during the Mansfield leg of the Olympic Torch Relay.

Can you spot the difference?

Andrew Haywood with the Olympic Torch

On Friday 13^th July, the Thursday Club held a Diamond Jubilee Party at the Empire Club where all members enjoyed an evening of superb entertainment from Jaynie & Greg who presented their 1940’s show with great encouragement and participation from the audience.