February
3rd – No Meeting
10th – Speaker Meeting – Richard Skaife
Richard Skaife served with Royal Signals for 23 years. While working in the MoD in London in the 1980s he obtained a copy of a then recently declassified document on German Signals Intelligence in WW2 and this sparked his interest in the subject which he has been researching since. He has researched how the Germans developed their equivalents of Bletchley Park and his talk gave an insight into the German capabilities, their successes and failures.
Richard described how, in Churchill’s account of World War One Churchill disclosed that Great Britain obtained extensive intelligence from listening to German radio signals. This information led after the war to the German Navy reviewing the security of their radio signals and led to the German Navy buying Enigma. The German Army and other German government departments followed suit. In parallel the German Armed forces developed their interception and signals intelligence capabilities. Between the wars the Germans built extensive intelligence about their potential enemies from listening to radio traffic. The German Navy solved the British Admiralty codes by listening to Royal Navy signals and comparing it with shipping information they obtained from the Lloyds Register. This activity underpinned the success of the U Boat war in the Battle of the Atlantic. In North Africa the US Military attaché as privy to Montgomery’s plans. The Germans knew what Montgomery’s plans were by intercepting and decoding the signals sent by the US Military attaché back to Washington. By listening to Allied radio signals throughout the war the German forces were able to build up a picture of the strengths of Allied forces and were able to cast doubt over the Allied deception plans for Normandy. Fortunately for the Allies the German High Command and Hitler disregarded this intelligence and believed the information provided through the deception.
Pictured: Bernard, Dr Richard Scaffe and Senior vice Steve.
17th – Business Meeting
Amongst other things we discussed School in a bag. This is a Rotary charity which provides children in disaster areas with a Rucksack of school equipment and stationary to allow vital education to continue despite the problems surrounding them. We will discuss supporting this.
We then heard from Charley Reed who is working on our Bicycle Ride social media. The number of our followers has increased substantially and bookings are well up. We now have a major sponsor so our event is well on track. As always, full details of the business meeting can be found on the members page.
Charlotte Read of Reads Marketing, has been engaged by Shaftesbury Rotary to develop the Brand Awareness of the NDCR which rapidly becoming the major fundraising vehicle in the Rotary Club.
In 2019 over £10,000 was raised for Prostate Cancer and other charity’s. The target in 2020 is to develop the ride and we are looking for a 50 percent increase in rider numbers.
Charlotte developed her strategy to increase the exposure of the event to greater numbers, starting from a low base of just 65 contacts have increased to over 5000 and bookings are rolling in several months ahead of last year’s performance.
Social media seems to be in the news for all the wrong reasons but this use of the platforms will have a radical impact on the way Shaftesbury Rotary can reach our audience in future.
We hope that Charlotte’s work will continue to expand as our charity work develops.
Pictured: Charlotte, President Win and Martin
Local Dairy Rises to the Challenge!
Landmark sponsorship deal announced for North Dorset Cycle Ride 2020
Shaftesbury based and award-winning BV Dairy have announced they will be the official sponsor of this year’s much anticipated North Dorset Cycle Ride on Sunday 17th May.
Image courtesy of BV Dairy
BV Dairy’s Managing Director, Jim Highnam, commented that; “We are delighted to support this fantastic local sporting event. Not only do we have many keen cyclists in our business; we are passionate about working with Shaftesbury Rotary Club to help support the vital work of Prostate Cancer UK.”
The most enjoyable and inclusive cycling event of the year with the ultimate finish line goal – the iconic Gold Hill Challenge – is returning to Shaftesbury on 17th May and the organisers say that entries are already at “record numbers”.
Last year Shaftesbury Rotary Club welcomed over 300 riders and raised more than £10,000 for Prostate Cancer and other charitable causes. This year they are setting their ambitions even higher and now, with the help of BV Dairy’s sponsorship, they hope to raise double that!
It’s shocking to learn that 1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime (in the UK) and sadly one man dies from this every 45 minutes. This vital charity is funding research to find better treatments and more effective tests, ultimately to help save lives.
Whether competitors choose the 50 mile or 25 mile distance they’ll have the opportunity to soak up the stunning views of Blackmore Vale and ride along scenic countryside lanes. The 12 mile family event is also a must for beginners, junior riders and those less able who still want to enjoy a great morning out.
This fantastic event is fully marshalled by volunteers with regular aid stations and lots of community support along the route. All finishers will receive a commemorative medal and professional photos will available after the event from James Thrift Photography.
Spectators and finishers can enjoy live music from local band “Slow Down Charlie”, hot food and a well stocked bar at the top of the spectacular Gold Hill.
Paul Slimm, Chairman of the NDCR event, commented; “We are really thrilled that BV Dairy have chosen to support our event this year. We are hugely grateful for their generosity and look forward to welcoming many of their employees out on the stunning course.”
For more information visit www.shaftesburyrotaryclub.org/gold-hill-cycle-ride or to enter visit https://www.trybooking.co.uk/NSF
24th – Speaker Meeting – Jon Smith
After a very successful Golf Day organised by Richard Shearn and Shaftesbury Rotary Club, a cheque for £2000 was presented on Monday 24th February to Jon Smith of Shaftesbury & District Carers Association to help with funding of their Hope Projects.
Pictured: John, President Win and speakers friend Richard
With all the publicity on Mental Health one hears through the media, charities such as Shaftesbury and District Carers Association become such an important part of our community life. They began as a carers group for those looking after people affected by mental health, then as they evolved, they became more involved in helping vulnerable and disadvantaged members of the community. Their aim being to restore health and wellbeing, through various HOPE projects.
HOPE recognizes that help comes in many forms, such as a listening ear, teaching new skills and preparing people to return to full employment. The current three projects providing life skills are: –
HOPE2CYCLE – Volunteers are taught how to recycle and service bikes. The bikes are subsequently sold on for family friendly prices.
HOPE2BAKE -This is a cookery workshop also providing catering services. Individuals are taught to cook. They are then able to take those skills home.
HOME2GROW -This is a gardening service for the community, providing garden maintenance services to private gardens and community open spaces.
Shaftesbury and District Carers provide an unpressurised environment where skills are developed and friendships gained. Meeting others and sharing similar life stories provides invaluable support.
Being a charity Shaftesbury and District Carers Association rely on donations, either financial or even in the form of old bikes for recycling. Any further information then please visit www.shaftesburycarers.org.
If you would like to know more about Rotary, or interested in joining then please look at our website www.shafteburyrotaryclub.org and get in contact.
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