2013-14 Activities

New Rotary Year, New School Year

And that means lots of new activities and competitions.  So,without more ado...

Youth Speaks Local Heats – Monday 18th November 2013

This popular and long-established public-speaking competition has been entered by many local secondary schools and other groups in previous years.  We plan to hold two heats, one essentially for Brookmans Park/Potters Bar, the other for Welwyn/Hatfield.  (We may amalgamate the two heats if there are insufficient entries for two decent competitions.)  Teams of three are needed, a main speaker, a chairperson and a proposer of a vote of thanks.  There are two age groups, Intermediate (approximately Key Stage 3) and Senior (approximately Key Stage 4 & 5).  The local competition winners can progress to district, regional and national stages of the competition.  Teams may speak on any subject with the exception of those directly concerning party politics, race or religion. Details are at http://ribi.org/what-we-do/youth-competitions-and-awards/ribi-youth-speaks   Deadline for entries is Monday 11^th November.  

This year young authors are being asked to produce a written or typed story in prose entitled “what a difference that made to my life/their lives”. The that can be anything they choose. An A4 page or 500 hundred words is a suggested suitable submission.

The competition runs in three age groups, Junior (approximately Key Stage 2), Intermediate (approximately Key Stage 3) and Senior (approximately Key Stage 4 & 5).  Further details are at http://ribi.org/what-we-do/youth-competitions-and-awards/ribi-young-writer  The deadline for entries is Friday 21st February 2014.

This well-established competition is sponsored by Waitrose and Filippo Berio.  Entrants have to submit a menu and the judges then select the best six. The six selected competitors then cook their menu at a cook-off at Monks Walk School on Saturday morning 8^th February 2014 within a two-hour time limit.  The competitors are provided with a voucher to cover the cost of ingredients and the winner goes on to district and potentially regional and national finals.  Details are at http://ribi.org/what-we-do/youth-competitions-and-awards/ribi-young-chef   The deadline for entries is Friday 25^th January 2013 and the cook-off is planned for Saturday 8^th February. 

Competitors have to submit a portfolio of 3 photographs on the theme of “People”, no more than A4 in size, with a 50 word description of what inspired them.  The competition runs in three age groups, Junior (approximately Key Stage 2), Intermediate (approximately Key Stage 3) and Senior (approximately Key Stage 4 & 5).  Competitors have to submit 3 different prints along with digital.  Further details are at http://midhertsrotary.blogspot.com/ or http://ribi.org/what-we-do/youth-competitions-and-awards/ribi-young-photographer    The deadline for entries is Friday 24th January 2014.

 The Rotary Young Citizen Awards, which have been going for some 10 years, have recently received some publicity on television as they are now sponsored by the BBC News channel.  We are keen to recognise the achievements of young people in the local community.  If you know of individuals or groups doing great things who you feel are worthy of wider recognition, please email us at midhertsrotary@ymail.com.  It may be that they qualify for the national Rotary competition, details of which are at http://ribi.org/what-we-do/youth-competitions-and-awards/ribi-young-citizen-awards , in which case we will be pleased to put them forward.  Proposals are needed by Friday 31^st January 2014.

                     

This competition has been running successfully for many years and most of the local schools have entered.  Teams of four have to design, build and document a solution to a problem posed on the day.  At the end of the day the various solutions are demonstrated and winners chosen.  Details are at http://ribi.org/what-we-do/youth-competitions-and-awards/ribi-technology-tournament   This year’s local competition will probably be on Tuesday 4^th March 2014 (TBC).

                                           

Welwyn Hatfield Rotary Walk, Sunday 28^th April 2014

This event is open to all individuals and groups who wish to raise money for a charity or project through a sponsored walk, an ideal way of raising money without the hassle of having to organise the walk yourselves!  There is a choice of 7-mile or 11-mile routes, or a 2-mile suitable for very young or disabled participants, all starting at Campus West car park in Welwyn GC and following a gloriously scenic route through Sherrardswood, Brocket Hall park, bluebell woods and along the River Lea.  75% of what you raise goes to your chosen project and 25% to Rotary charities.  Why not organise a group to come and take part?  An excellent social activity as well as a fund-raiser.  Or perhaps a warm-up hike for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award?  Details at http://www.whwalk.org.uk/  

Rotary Young Leaders Award

A weekend “Outward Bound”-type experience at the end of June or beginning of July 2014 run by the RAF Regiment at RAF Henlow for 18-30 year olds sponsored by their local Rotary club.   If you think you would benefit from this, let us know at midhertsrotary@ymail.com.   Further information is at http://ribi.org/what-we-do/youth-competitions-and-awards/ryla-rotary-youth-leadership-awards 

Shelterboxes

Shelterboxes provide a tent to accommodate 10 people and essential supplies to help them survive the aftermath of a disaster.  The great thing is that the boxes are stockpiled in readiness for the next disaster and can be shipped at very short notice anywhere in the world along with a team of volunteers to distribute and help set them up.  Each box with its transport costs is about £500 and there is a critical need at present as stocks have been run down by a series of disasters including the Syrian civil war.  More information at http://www.shelterbox.org/      Maybe your group could raise funds for this?

Rotary offers many extraordinary opportunities for 16-30 year olds in a wide range of countries all over the world. For further information go to www.youthexchange.org.uk or contact us at midhertsrotary @ymail.com

Why not set up a school Interact Club?  These are groups of students from the age of 12 upwards, who share the Rotary aims of serving the community and promoting peace and international understanding.  You will need to find an adult within the school to help and we will provide a Rotarian mentor to work with them and the support you need to make your club a success.  More information at http://www.ribi.org/youth/interact or contact us at midhertsrotary @ymail.com

Calendar of Events

Youth Speaks                                     Entries by Monday 11^th November 2013. 

Local heat Monday 18th November 2013

Young Chef                                       Entries by Friday 25^th January 2014

                                                          Cook-off Saturday 8^th February 2014

Young Citizen Awards                     Proposals by Friday 31^st January 2014

Young Photographer                        Entries by Friday 24th January 2014

Technology Tournament                  Tuesday 4^th March 2014 (TBC)

Young Writer                                    Entries by Friday 21st February 2014

Welwyn Hatfield Rotary Walk        Sunday 27^th April 2014

Young Digital Artist                          Entries by Saturday 31^st May 2014

Rotary Young Leaders Award        A weekend late June/early July 2014 (TBC)

Young Writer

There is still time to enter the 

MID HERTS ROTARY YOUNG WRITER 2013 COMPETITION

Open to 7-17 year olds in the local area, you have to write a letter to a person of your choice on the theme of "Peace" no longer than one side of A4 (written or printed).

RULES

1. Objectives

Letter writing is fast becoming a lost but nevertheless necessary art, which this competition hopes to foster. 

The winners of the Mid Herts competition will be entered for the District competition, covering parts of Herts, Beds and Bucks, and the winners of the District competition will be entered for the RIBI National competition.

2. Entrants

This competition is open to young people who live or are at school in the Mid Herts Rotary area, the towns of Brookmans Park, Hatfield, Potters Bar and Welwyn Garden City, along with the surrounding areas.

There are three age categories, with ages taken on 31st August 2012

JUNIOR: Aged 7 – 10 years (Date of Birth 01/09/2001 – 31/08/2005)

INTERMEDIATE: Aged 11 – 13 years (Date of Birth 01/09/1998 – 31/08/2001)

SENIOR: Aged 14 – 17 years. (Date of Birth 01/09/1994 – 31/08/1998)

Consequently, at the time of the competition, in the Junior section some entries may be aged 11, in the Intermediate 14 and in the Senior 18.

An amanuensis may be used if the entrant has difficulty with motor control – this means that the letter may be dictated to someone who records it on paper.

3. Competition

The theme for 2012-13 is “Peace” with entrants choosing their own topic within the theme.  Peace can mean any one of the following and more:

·         State of harmony between people

·         Freedom of thought and speech

·         Making Mum smile

·         State that exists during absence of war

·         Security and confidence in future

·         Burying the hatchet after a quarrel

·         Self determination

Entries are to be in the form of a letter written to anyone living dead or yet to be born and should begin not with the author’s address but  “Dear……………………………”

The letter should not exceed one side of A4 and can be handwritten or typed.

4. Disclaimers and parental consent should be written and signed on the reverse of the letter in the following manner:

I, …………………………………of …………………………………………… school/college,

declare that this letter is entirely my own work.

My date of birth is ………………………

My local Rotary Club is a member of Mid Herts Rotary.

Signed:……………………………………….Dated……………………………….

“I give permission for this letter to be reproduced in any format and for the author’s likeness to be used for promotional purposes within Rotary”

Parent/Guardian’s signature………………………………….

Address:………………………………………………………………………………………

Phone number: ………………………… e-mail: …………………………………….

5. Format and judging

The panel will consist of three judges, with at least one person independent of Rotary.  The judges will have relevant experience in literature, journalism or related areas.

Entries will be judged on:-

• Imagination relative to the subject

• Ability to engage interest

• Ability to be consistent in the power of argument

All decisions by the judges are final.

6.  Entries   All entries must be submitted  by 27th March 2013 to 

Mike Thorpe, 115 Park Avenue, POTTERS BAR, EN6 5EW

or by email to   mike@mailord.co.uk

Entries will not be returned unless specifically requested.

7. Uniformity of Procedure

These rules apply strictly to the Mid Herts Rotary competition. There may be minor variations at the district stage of the competition, but it will be run along the same lines.

8. Prizes

Certificates will be awarded to all participants and the winners will receive prizes in the form of tokens. For the District competition, certificates and prizes are at the discretion of the district organisers.

For the RIBI final, all entrants will receive a certificate and the winners will be given appropriate awards including a fountain pen from “Cross Pens”.

In addition, the RIBI winners in each age group will be invited to read their letters on BBC radio accompanied by a parent or guardian.

9. Publicity

The winning letters will remain the property of the authors. They may be displayed however in ‘Rotary Today’ magazine, used for or in Rotary promotional materials and shown on the RIBI website stating the winner’s age group.

Young Photographer

The Mid Herts Rotary Young Photographer Competition is now up and running.  The theme for 2013 is “Peace”, with entrants choosing their own topic within the theme.

To enter, you must submit a portfolio of three different prints, either colour or black and white on photographic quality paper no larger than A4 size plus a digital copy on disc.  The full rules are at the bottom of this post.

In addition, you must provide, in no more than 50 words, a description of the inspiration for their photographs and how they reflect the theme. – there is still plenty of time to enter, as the closing date is 15 March.  

Email your entry to midhertsrotary@ymail.com and we will send you details about how to get your prints and disc to us.

Good luck with the competition – I very much look forward to seeing the usual high standards!

  

2012 – 2013

Rules and Guidelines

Mid Herts Rotary - the Rotary Clubs of Hatfield
Brookmans Park, Potters Bar
and Welwyn Garden City

Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland has adopted this statement of policy in working with children, the vulnerable and those with disability.

The needs and rights of the child, the elderly, the vulnerable and those with disability take priority.  It is the duty of every Rotarian to safeguard to the best of their ability the welfare of and prevent the physical, sexual or emotional abuse and neglect of all children, the elderly, persons with disability or otherwise vulnerable persons with whom
they come into contact during their Rotarian duties.

Important Dates to remember

Entries from schools to clubs by 15^th March 2013.
The local winner will then go to District level (in April), then on to National
The national winner will be announced at the end of May.

RULES

1. Objectives

This competition is to encourage young people to express their interpretation of the given theme in photographs

2. Entrants

This competition is open to young people who are entered by their Rotary club to a district competition and then to the RIBI competition.

There are three age categories, with ages taken on 31^st August 2012

JUNIOR:                                 Aged 7 – 10 years       (Date of Birth 01/09/2001 – 31/08/2005)

INTERMEDIATE:                  Aged 11 – 13 years     (Date of Birth 01/09/1998 – 31/08/2001)

SENIOR:                               Aged 14 – 17 years.    (Date of Birth 01/09/1994 – 31/08/1998)

Consequently, at the time of the competition, in the Junior section some entries may be aged 11, in the Intermediate 14 and in the Senior 18.

3. Competition

The theme for 2013 is “Peace”, with entrants choosing their own topic within the theme.

Entrants will be asked to submit a portfolio of three different prints, either colour or black and white on photographic quality paper no larger than A4 size plus a digital copy on disc.

In addition each entrant must provide, in no more than 50 words, a description of the inspiration for their photographs and how they reflect the theme.

4. Format and Judging

The panel will consist of independent judges all with relevant experience.  They will view the entries in each age category and consider:

·         Technical merit,

·         Imaginative interpretation of the theme

All decisions by the judges are final.  No correspondence or discussion will be entered into following the event.   Entries will not be returned unless specifically requested

5. Prizes

For the local competition, certificates will be awarded to all participants.  A cash prize and Winner Certificate will be awarded, as well as to any entries judged to be “Commended”.

For the RIBI Final, all entrants will receive a certificate and the winners will be given appropriate awards.

The winning photographs will remain the property of the photographers.  The photographs may be displayed however in the ‘Rotary Today’ magazine and/or shown on the RIBI web site stating the winner’s age group. 

6. Forms

All entries must be accompanied by the entry form below

Rotary Clubs of Hatfield, Brookmans Park, Potters Bar & Welwyn Garden City Young Photographer Entry and Information Form

Name of entrant
Date of birth	Junior / Intermediate / Senior (delete as appropriate)
School/ College/ Organisation name
Full contact home address     ………………………………………………………………………………..                                                 ………………………………………………………………………………..                                                 ……………………………………………………………………………….. Postcode                                 ………………………………………………………………………………..
Mobile number            ………………………………………………………………………………..
Landline number         ………………………………………………………………………………..
Email address
Contact    Rtn Robert Addleman     E: robaddleman@aol.com      Tel:  01438-717886

Please will the photographer & Parent/Guardian sign the declarations below:

I,………………………………..…………declare that these three photographs are entirely my own work.

Signed………………………………………Dated…………………..

I give permission for these photographs to be reproduced in any format and for the photographer’s likeness to be used for promotional purposes within Rotary.

Parent/Guardian’s signature   ………………………….……………..   Date   …………..………

Camera make and model

Auxiliary lens and filters used (if applicable)

Please explain the inspiration for your photographs and any other details including how they reflect the theme “Peace” in no more than 50 words.

Rotary bears no responsibility for any action taken by anyone against the photographer.
Photographs of people under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a written permission from the parent, guardian or carer of the person photographed.

Young Chef District Final

 With only a fortnight to prepare and add a starter to his menu, Lewis Beat, our heat winner, went to the District Final in Hitchin last Saturday.  His food was as good as, if not better than, the previous round and he was definitely "a contender"!  Unfortunately the judges didn't place him first or second, so he will not be going to the Regional Final next month.  However it was tremendous experience and the three judges provided very helpful feedback which should stand him in good stead next year.

The Judges

Young Chef Final 2013

Saturday 9^th February saw the final of this year’s  local Young Chef competition organised by Welwyn GC Rotary Club for Mid Herts Rotary.  This  first stage in a national competition and saw twenty four competitors from six schools submit their menus for a healthy two-course meal for two people to a budget of £12.  The competitors each received a £12 voucher from Waitrose WGC to cover the cost of their ingredients.

The competitors and judges

The four judges were Piers Lyon from the White Hart Hotel and Restaurant in Welwyn, Choon Teoh from the Hakalok Restaurant at Shoplands, Gemma Hollis from Waitrose WGC and Michael Burn from John Lewis Welwyn. They selected those menus that they would like to see cooked and the most favoured six came to Monks Walk School to demonstrate their skills..  They were Zoe Antoniou and Lewis Beat of Chancellors School in Brookmans Park,  Daisy Parker and Alfie Tilley for Monks Walk School, Sam Bailey fom Onslow St Audreys in Hatfield and Reece Frost from Sir Frederic Osborn School.

The winner and runner-up at work

Two hours preparing and cooking time allowed the judges to observe the competitors skills, organisation and food hygiene and at the end they sampled the finished dishes.  An audience of families, teachers and Rotarians also got the opportunity to view and sample the array of excellent dishes.

It was a very tight and high quality competition and after careful deliberation the winner was Lewis Beat’s Lamb Kofte with tomato rice, spinach and parmesan salad with home-made hummus  and a dessert of Peach and Rosemary Tarte Tatin.  In second place was Sam Bailey with Salmon and Spinach En Croute and Hot Chocolate Fondant and in third place was last year’s winner Zoe Antoniou with Sea Bass and a trio of desserts.

Some of the completed dishes

Prizes sponsored by John Lewis Welwyn and certificates were presented to the finalists and Lewis will now go on to the District Final and will compete against other aspiring chefs from Beds, Herts and Bucks at Hitchin College on 23^rd February.  Welwyn GC Rotary Club would like to thank all those who helped in this event, Waitrose WGC, John Lewis Welwyn and Monks Walk School and the head of food, Kathy Quirk, for hosting the event.

The next events being organised by Mid Herts Rotary are the Young Photographer and Young Writer competitions.  There is also the Technology Tournament team event on Wednesday 6^th March at Oaklands College Welwyn GC campus.   

Young Chef Competition

Can you plan and cook a meal for two?

Do you have interesting and creative ideas about food?

If so, read on ...............

The competition has two rounds. 

For Round 1 you plan a healthy meal consisting of a main course and dessert. This should be a meal for two and should not cost more than £12. You list the ingredients and the methods that you would use to prepare it.
 

Entries should be emailed to   midhertsrotary@ymail.com  by Friday 25th January.    Don’t forget to include your name, email address and phone number.

Six entries will be selected for Round 2, the Cook-Off, on the basis of quality of the menu, including the colour and balance of ingredients, nutritional content, visual appeal and originality.

For the Cook-Off, you will be asked to prepare, cook and serve your chosen meal. You will be provided with a £12 voucher for Waitrose WGC to purchase the ingredients for the recipe you have submitted.  If you are selected we will inform you by Friday 1st February.

Whilst you are preparing and cooking your meal, you will be watched, guided and assessed on your cooking skills by the judges. Once all the meals have been cooked the judges will taste the meals and make their final decision on the winner and award the prizes.

The Cook-Off will be at Monk’s Walk School on Saturday 9th February 2013 from 10.30am to 2.00pm (cooking from11 am to 1 pm). There will be prizes for the winners and the overall winner will go on to the district final on 23^rd February and, if successful, to regional and national finals.

To enter, copy the entry form below and email it along with your menu, including ingredients and methods, to midhertsrotary@ymail.com

Let’s get cooking!

There is information about last year's competition at midhertsrotary.blogspot.com  You need scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on "Show earlier posts".  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at this email address.

Young Chef 2013

 MID HERTS ROTARY

(Rotary Clubs of Welwyn Garden City, Brookmans Park, Hatfield & Potters Bar)

 ENTRY FORM

Name                                                     

Home Address                                      

                                                                 

                                                                  

Phone 

e-mail 

Date of birth                                                    

School/Organisation                             

                                                             

Menu to be prepared           

                           Main course

                           Dessert   

Please attach a copy of all recipes - ingredients and method.  Please highlight any inclusion of nuts of any kind.

If selected you will need to be available for the cook-of on Saturday 9^th February2013 between 10.30am and 2.00pm.  In the event of bad weather this will be re-arranged for Saturday 16^th February at the same time.

Please return this entry form to John Walton at midhertsrotary@ymail.com

by Friday 25th January 2013

Youth Speaks - the public speaking competition

The local heats of this national competition were held recently, with a Potters Bar/Brookmans Park heat and a Welwyn/Hatfield heat being organised by Mid Herts Rotary.  The competition gives students the opportunity to develop their public speaking and presentation skills. There are two age groups for the competition, Intermediate (11-13 year olds) and Senior (14-17 year olds), each team being made up of 3 students.

Dame Alice Owen Intermediate Winners

Dame Alice Owen Senior Winners

Brookmans Park and Potters Bar Rotary clubs held their heat at Dame Alice Owen's school on 19th November and  there were 5 Intermediate teams and 3 Senior teams. The teams were from Chancellors, Dame Alice Owen's and Mount Grace schools. The topics included 'Homework Should Be Reduced', 'The Effects Of Video Games' and 'The Importance Of Languages'. It made for a very interesting evening and gave the judges a very hard task of selecting winners. The Intermediate winners were Mimi Zhao, Oisin McGoldrick and Ben Jacobs from Dame Alice Owen's arguing for 'Restrictions On Free Speech' and the Senior winners were Jacob Davies, Robert Tomlinson and Annabelle Toon also from Dame Alice Owen's arguing very convincingly that 'Males Should Be Allowed To Wear Make-Up'.

The Welwyn Hatfield competitors

Welwyn GC Rotary Club organised the Welwyn Hatfield heat on 22nd November at Monks Walk School with teams from Monks Walk and Onslow St Audreys Schools taking part with three Intermediate teams and two Senior teams.  Topics included the dangers of the Guinness Book of World Records, raising the legal alcohol age and whether illegal downloading is killing the music industry.  The winners of the Intermediate section were Megan Bonfield, Luke Penson and Youcef Solomon of Monks Walk School speaking on "Titanic:Man's Vanity" and, in the Senior section Jack Bonfield, Adam Penson and Joel Khalili also of Monks Walk on the subject of “Hermitry”.  Again the judges had a hard time adjudicating after a very interesting and entertaining evening.The winning teams will now go on to the District semi-finals in Hitchin and Luton at the beginning of February and we wish them all the very best of luck.