District Rally 2010
On a brisk autumn day in October some 160 members, guests and friends gathered in the beautiful setting of the West Wing at Ickworth House, near Bury St Edmunds, in the presence of our Association President Pam McConnell. District Chairman Jacquie McDaniel presided, assisted by Ann Clark, President of the Bungay Club, who acted as Master of Ceremonies, and members of the club who hosted the occasion with great friendliness and efficiency.
On arrival members enjoyed coffee in the National Trust restaurant and took the opportunity to browse in the well stocked National Trust Shop. Photographs were taken to mark the occasion and, in due course, everyone was formally greeted by Chairman Jacquie, President Pam and Member of Council Sheila Phillips before taking their seats for lunch.
Four candles of friendship were lit: Past IIW President Vivienne Bolton-Sleigh lit the candle for the Past; Chairman Jacquie lit the candle for the Present: 1st Vice Chairman Deirdre Griffin lit the candle for the Future and District Overseas Service Organiser Marian de Bass lit the candle for Inner Wheel worldwide. Grace was said by District Secretary Sue Allen and everyone settled down to enjoy a delicious lunch.
After lunch the formal proceedings began with the introduction of the top table guests by Chairman Jacquie and Vice Chairman Deirdre read the Objects of Inner Wheel. Jennie Cundy, Vice President of Bungay, gave a most interesting address of welcome (below) and greetings were given by Rtn Chris Staines, President of the Bungay Rotary Club, Rtn Rod Howell, Governor Rotary District 1080, Suzarne Price, Chairman of District 24, and Pat Taylor, Chairman of District 19.
There followed the keynote address by Association President Pam in which she spoke eloquently of all that Inner Wheel has been, is, and will be in the future. As an encouragement to members to be open and imaginative in facing change she told the cautionary tale of the Swiss watch industry which saw its market share of sales plummet from being the world leader to an also ran because it failed to embrace the invention of the quartz movement.
Votes of thanks to the Association President, by Immediate Past District Chairman Judy Hardcastle, and to the Host Club, by Vice Chairman Deirdre Griffin, followed and Chairman Jacquie drew the whole occasion to a close by thanking all for making it such a happy and memorable day and presented guests with flowers. As we all departed on our ways the sun came out and we saw Ickworth House in all its splendour.
Welcome Address by Jennie Cundy, Vice President of the Inner Wheel Club of Bungay
Bungay is a small market town surrounded on three sides by the River Waveney, this means that although Bungay is in the county of Suffolk it is almost surrounded by Norfolk. We have many historic buildings including two beautiful churches - Holy Trinity established in 1040 and St Mary's church built in the 13th century. Sadly this is now a redundant church and only used on a few occasions each year.
Bigod's Castle was built in the 12th century and is cared for by the Bungay Castle Trust, although now in ruins it is, nevertheless, an interesting place to visit along with the ancient Butter Cross where a market is still held every Thursday.
The Fisher Theatre has had many uses since it was built as a theatre in 1828, including a cinema, roller skating rink and laundry. It has now been restored to its original use, and brings us a wealth of local, national and even international entertainment .
The Town Council, headed by the mayor, represents Bungay's five and half thousand residents, and we are unique in being the only town in the United Kingdom to retain the ancient office of Town Reeve. He heads the Town Trust, a benevolent and charitable institution dating from, possibly, the sixteenth century. The town hosts three special market days each year attracting as many as 15,000 people to the Spring Garden Market, the summer Antiques Market and the Christmas Market. Pumpkin Night is a recent introduction celebrated in the narrow, cobbled Bridge Street which is decorated with hundreds of massive pumpkins lit with candles.
The Inner Wheel Club of Bungay was formed in 1957 and our District Chairman, Jacquie, was a founder member. The only other time a member has been District Chairman was in 1974-75, when Olive Duhy, another founder member, held the office. Olive would have been so pleased and proud of Jacquie, as are all members of the Bungay club .
To view more photographs of the Rally click: More Photos
