Our District Chairman - Deirdre Griffin

Fellow members,

How our lives have been turned upside down with Covid19.  I hope you are all safe, and keeping clear of this dreadful pandemic.  Just a few weeks ago were looking forward to:

• going to Conference in Belfast with its varied programme, a night “at the races” and the get-together with Districts 24 and 19 in Grannie Annie’s. Cancelled
• District International Rally. Cancelled
• District outing. Cancelled
• All our spring and summer club activities. Cancelled
• District Business Meeting and AGM. Cancelled
• Club Officers’ Assembly. Cancelled

Instead most of us have been faced with lockdown, social distancing, and in some cases, complete isolation.  Not even during WWII was life as constrained as it currently is.  Many of us are constrained to the confines of our house and gardens;  some alas, may not be so lucky as to have a garden.  If you are able to go out for a daily walk, at least the weather has generally been kind to you.

Now all the cupboards will have been cleaned and cleared;  all the drawers tidied;  wardrobes gone through with items set aside for the Charity Shop or whatever;  and windows sparklingly bright.  But you have still found time to help others.  You have been making masks, scrubs, head bands for NHS workers;  doing shopping for those who cannot get out; getting the knitting needles going, knitting items for later delivery to your Club and our International Officer.   On behalf of all those whom you are helping, I thank you.  We are living through unprecedented times, but still we find ways to help others.  This is Together We Can in action.

I have no idea when we will meet again – but we hopefully can look forward to Conference next year in Blackpool in April, and to our International Rally (19 May 2021) and Coral’s District Rally (20 October 2021).  What noise and excitement there will be at our first get-togethers. 

It is going to take a long time for our world to recover from this dreadful disease.  There are no short cuts.  We have to remain patient, keeping safe, and in good spirits.  Let’s show to each other that true Inner Wheel fellowship and friendship.  I know many members and clubs have been keeping in touch by telephone, email, Zoom and other social media.  Many of us have developed IT skills we never knew we would ever acquire or need.  But meeting face to face is best.  Roll on that day.

Many of you will have had the letter circulated to you re Association’s decision to roll on this year’s Executive Officers and committees to next year, allowing the incumbents to complete their year (albeit broken in two).  Also, the one which we, the District Executive, circulated intimating that we too would follow Association’s lead.  This decision was welcomed by Association.

Until we meet again, thank you all once more for all you are doing in these troubled times.  People need us, and we need each other.  Together we can beat this dreadful virus.

Stay safe.  Stay well.  God bless.

Deirdre