Public speaking competition for school children
This is the first year that we are organising a Public Speaking competition for children ranging from 9 to 16 years of age and New Mills Primary School, Chapel-en-le-Frith High School, Marple Hall and Thomas Moore, Buxton have entered in the different age categories.
We hope to make this an annual event and if any schools are interested please get in touch so that we can note your interest for next year’s competition.
US Connection
Ninety years before the Declaration of Independence in America, a group of people known as the Society of Friends left England to practice religious freedom. They included one Thomas Massey, who was born here in Marple in 1683 and was 20 years old when he arrived in Pennsylvania. Though he was an indentured servant when he arrived, he served his time and eventually was rewarded with land and built a large house and had seven children. He is one of the founders of Marple Township in Pennsylvania, which has now changed its name to Broomall.
Thomas Massey house in Marple Township
The President of the Rotary Club there, Paul J Quintavalla, got in touch with our club in 2011 and since then we have exchanged news, gifts and Christmas Cards. On their website we are named as their sister club.
Paul and his members have recently been to Venezuela to help this disturbed country. Though none of our members have visited their club yet our friendship is well established and mutually beneficial.
Speakers:
During January our fellow member George Cope gave us a talk supported by slides about the trip he and his wife took to Canada last year. We saw beautiful scenery and numerous modes of transport that they used during their trip.
In February Phil Turner is coming to talk about Proton Beam treatment. Phil and many colleagues have climbed Kilimanjaro to raise more funds for this worthwhile project.
