Rotary Club of Londonderry

Tuesday 14th September to Friday 17th September 2010

The highlight of the week was certainly the visit of the GSE Team from District 5050 / British Columbia, Canada & North Washington State, USA. The group of six arrived on Tuesday afternoon: Debe Franz (group leader), William Freitas, Maureen Hari, Julia Nygra, Susan Rai and David Sadler. They were hosted by Club President Alan Rodden, John MacCrossan, Heather Fielding, James Buchanan, Pat Kelly and Werner Scheel.

Wednesday was a Vocational Day for the team members, with William and David having a meeting with Rosa McLaughlin at Oakgrove College, a most fruitful and wide-ranging exchange of views on educational issues. Other team members had their own appointments with Garda in Buncrana and the Fire & Rescue Service. The afternoon was spent walking the City Walls. On Wednesday evening the GSE Team together with Alan, Werner & John joined Strabane/Lifford Club in a sponsored walk followed by a fellowship dinner in Past President Charlie McCauley's restuarant in Lifford.

On Thursday the whole team, with Alan, John and Werner as drivers and tour guides, went to the Giant's Causeway on a rather windy and cool but dry and sunny day. Conditions were perfect for this beautiful location, as the photos taken on this occasion can prove. The day was rounded off with an exquisite meal at Mandarin Palace.

The GSE Team departed for Lisburn Rotary Club on Friday morning. They gave an informative talk to the Club and were invited to a tour of the Linen Museum in the city, before being passed on to Portadown Rotary Club in the evening.

This most pleasant group of people will also attend the District Conference at Slieve Russell Hotel, 23 - 26 September 2010, where they will give a more comprehensive report on their Ireland visit.


The team can be followed on their blog here