The return to Scarborough for District 1270’s annual conference has proved to be very popular so much so attendance was the highest recorded for several years.

The conference began with the RC Goole President, Robert Haigh, presenting of a new sash for the new District Sergeant at Arms, Graham Owen.

District Governor Rolf had chosen Africa to be the theme of his conference.

Representatives of three Rotary projects – Freeplay Radios, Shelterbox and the Wheelchair Foundation, gave presentations with updates on how much both had achieved to date. Both had stands in the Hall of Friendship and in the mid morning coffee break the Wheelchair Foundation had received enough funds to purchase 17 wheelchairs!

In a first for conference BBC TV Presenter, Christa Ackroyd interviewed the GSE team that had gone into Africa. It was clear from the answers they gave that they had all been greatly moved by the experience and that whilst they did not feel any different their families, friends and work colleagues had seen a definite change in them as people. One of the team recounted a story where they were being asked by the children for their water bottles. Mistakenly they thought the children wanted the drinks. However, after giving one child a full bottle of water he opened it and tipped the water on the floor. The value was in the empty bottles! They can earn money from them as containers since items such as bottles and carrier bags that we take for granted are in short supply and therefore have value.

The morning session ended with world-renowned artist and conservationist, David Shepherd OBE, FRSA talking about his art and the wildlife of Africa. He held is audience spellbound with the stories around his pictures and why he was so passionate about the conservation of the wild animals he so clearly adores.

The final session of the day was by the Comms Team – a highly visual presentation with images and quotations and audience participation. Topics covered included the website, marketing plan and PR all of which are critical to creating positive Rotary awareness.

Several presentations were made before lunch. Following a successful golf competition with 31 competitors - Shaun Doherty of RC Rotherham Sitwell was presented with The Nelson Tankard. RC Wombwell won the Conference Attendance Shield, with 62% of their members at their favourite conference venue! Mexborough almost made it with 61% and Cleethorpes followed with 54%.

Two special presentations were also made: The Major Donor Award for giving to Foundation (Rotary’s own charity) was presented to Mike and Cathy Lees and Hearing Dogs for the Deaf, PDG Trevor Butterworth’s, chosen charity, presented the District with a certificate in recognition of the District’s support during Trevor’s year.