Past Guest Speakers
Thursday 25 February 2010
Maddy Rees, Bristol Conservation and Science Foundation
Maddy Rees from the Bristol Conservation and Science Foundation came to talk to us about their efforts in preventing certain species of animals dwindling in numbers in their natural UK habitats. Particular reference was made to the South West Crayfish Project.
With a background in conservation, research and education, Maddy has worked for a number of years both internationally and in the UK. She is now a dedicated member of the Bristol Conservation and Science Foundation, affiliated with Bristol Zoo Gardens. Working as Communication Officer on the South West Crayfish Project she is dedicated to raising awareness of the plight of this valuable fresh-water animal and of some of the simple steps the public can take to help save this species.
South West Crayfish Project: With up to 95% of White-clawed crayfish populations lost in some areas of the UK, they are now protected by law and are designated as a UK and Bristol Biodiversity Action Plan priority species. Traditionally effected by pollution and habitat destruction, it has been the introduction of a new species that has seen the down fall of this important native species. The spread of North American Signal crayfish and a devastating disease, the crayfish plague, can be prevented by simple steps. Learn more about this fascinating species, conservation issues the South West Crayfish Project is facing and how you can make a difference. Read more here about the Crayfish Project.
Thursday 28 January 2010
Gwyn Evans
Gwyn Evans, a retired nuclear energy expert with international experience, and member of Supporters of Nuclear Energy (SONE), presented to our club on how nuclear energy can form part of the UK's energy portfolio and help power the country for years to come. Coincidentally, we had some visitors at this particular breakfast meeting, who happened to work in the wind energy sector. As a result, there was some lively debate on the pros and cons of generating energy by means of nuclear power.
Thursday 26 November 2009
Trevor Lever
Trevor Lever of Trevor Lever Consulting came to present to the club on the merits of social media for businesses and how to maximise their use for business output and marketing.
The presentation put social media into the context of on-line communication and developing business practices. Tools such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn were covered and ideas and demonstrations of how these tools can effectively bridge the sales and marketing functions, for both the organisation and the individual, were presented.
Trevor Lever: 25 years experience in sales and marketing of capital goods in the B2B technology sector. Since 2001 has been focusing on helping people and organisations increase their sales effectiveness. This involves all client facing staff, whether they regard themselves as in sales, or not. Trevor runs a number of training and mentoring programs that focus on developing key personal skills and an appreciation of the processes involved in successful selling.
Thursday 13th August
Lucy Smith - Community Fund Raising Manager of Above and Beyond
The second of our selected charities for the 2009-2010 Rotary Year, Above and Beyond, was introduced by Lucy Smith, the charity's community fundraising manager.
Above & Beyond Charities is the registered charity supporting the hospitals, wards and departments within the University Hospitals Bristol consisting of:
- Bristol Royal Infirmary
- Bristol Royal Hospital for Children
- St. Michaels Hospital
- Bristol General Hospital
- Bristol Haematology & Oncology Centre
- Bristol Eye Hospital
- Bristol Dental Hospital
- Bristol Homoeopathic Hospital
- Bristol Primary Care Trust
Above and Beyond exist to complement the University Hospitals Bristol and its associated primary care services in Bristol by supporting medical research and providing medical equipment not covered by the NHS.
Thursday 30th July
Jon House - Deputy Chief Executive of Bristol City Council.
Jon talked to the club about his amazing experiences during his time in the police force and his transfer to local government. Jon's varied career taught him many lessons about dealing with people and overcoming conflicts, which have helped him since becoming the deputy chief exec of the council. He shared a few of the lessons, and also faced some challenging questions from the club about the future of the city of Bristol. We are sure to keep in touch with Jon in the future, as it was a real privilege to have him speak to us.
Thursday 16th July
Dom Wood - Director of Priority Youth
On Thursday the 16th July Dom Wood introduced the first of our selected charities for the 2009-2010 Rotary Year - Priority Youth. Dom is the Director of Priority Youth, whose mission statement is...
“To improve the housing and support services for vulnerable young people in the Bristol and South Gloucestershire area and to raise awareness of their needs, including delivering high quality and strategically relevant services in these areas”
Dom's talk was very engaging and we heard invaluable information about how we can support this vital charity in the coming year. For further detail about Priority Youth please refer to their website.
Thursday 25 June 2009
Adrian Roper - Sustrans
Adrian Roper is the SW Regional Director for Sustrans, based in the charity's head office in Bristol. Adrian oversees, develops and co-ordinates Sustrans' full range of activities in the South West including development of the National Cycle Network and other cycling and walking networks, as well as 'soft' measures that include working with local communities and children. Adrian presented an outline of Sustrans' activities in the South West, with a particular emphasis on work going on in and around Bristol and how increasing levels of walking and cycling can be of real benefit to businesses. The club was very engaged in Adrian's talk, and a few challenging questions were asked!
Sustrans is the UK's leading sustainable transport charity. Their vision is a world in which people choose to travel in ways that benefit their health and the environment. Every day Sustrans are working on practical, innovative ways of dealing with the transport challenges that affect us all.
Their National Cycle Network is a great success story. Nearly half of the UK Population live within a mile of it. The Network carries over 230 million journeys each year, taking kids to school, workers to work dogs on walks, shoppers to shops - it even helps the Royal Mail deliver your post.
Thursday 28 May 2009
Commander Philip Unwin - SS Great Britain
Commander Philip Unwin retired from the Royal Navy in 1996 and then worked for the RN for a further ten years as the Deputy Naval Regional Officer, Wales and Western England, based in Bristol. After his second retirement he became involved with the SS Great Britain Trust and qualified as a Volunteer Guide, the first written test he had taken for a long time!
The title of his talk was 'SS Great Britain - the Concorde of her day'. The presentation was very much enjoyed by everyone, and we are thinking of possibly holiding an event on this majestic ship some time in the future.
For further information regarding the historic and award winning visitor attraction that is the SS Great Britain please visit their website.
Thursday 26 March 2009
Kim Jenkins
Kim is a producer at the BBC and talked to the club about the glitz and glamour, as well as the hard work, that goes into producing shows for the BBC. Not that she was name-dropping, but it was nice to have someone at breakfast with us who has worked with Bono, Ant & Dec and the Red Nose Kilimanjaro climbers! Kim will probably be one of those speakers that we'll invite back - an event definitely not to be missed!
Thursday 26 February 2009
David George
David George, the Training Officer of Bristol Channel Divers, came to talk to the club about the joys and excitements of scuba diving. It's safe to say that a lot of our attendees were very much inspired by Dave's fantastic underwater photos and his video of a seal up close and personal! If you missed Dave's talk, check out some of his amazing photos on his website.
If anyone would like to give diving a go, Dave has kindly offered to arrange a "try-dive" session at the Bristol South swimming pool in Bedminster. This would involve you trying on all the necessary diving kit and having a little swim around the deep end of the pool, getting used to breathing underwater and controlling your buoyancy.
We will try to co-ordinate a try-dive session just for members of our club, so that you have a a few fellow club members to share your experience with. If you would like to come along to a try-dive session, or would like to find out more about diving, please contact our Treasurer who is already a member of this dive club.
Thursday 29 January 2009
Sue Chinnick - Pivotal Learning
Sue Chinnock of Pivotal Learning kindly presented to our club on the topic of, "The Power of Language".
"PIVOTAL Learning Solutions help people excel at what they do". Since 2003 they have designed and delivered training to a variety of private and public sector organisations, either directly, or through their association with The City of Bristol College of Business, Bridgwater College, and Newport & Gwent Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry.
Sue Chinnick, founder, has been training since 1989, and for 14 of those years was a 'People Development Consultant' in an international financial organisation consulting, designing, delivering, and evaluating training for UK employees.
Her qualifications include a CIPD Diploma in Training Management, a Master Practitioner in Neuro-Linguistic Programming and a Diploma in Life Coaching."
Sue's talk was very much enjoyed by all, and certainly gave us some food for thought about how to be more positive in our communications, in order to achieve our business needs.
Thursday, 13 November 2008
Massage therapist Bridget Tyrell of OSNA Therapy Centre
Bridget from the Osna Therapy Centre was our club's first ever guest speaker and she kindly agreed to return to give us more tips and advice on alternative ways to handle stress and pain (ie. avoiding the need for painkillers).
Credit crunch, crap weather, pressure at work..... Bridget taught us a few natural ways to look after ourselves using massage, demonstrating on Matt - our willing volunteer! Everyone came away with a few ideas to help relieve stress at work.
Thursday, 18 September 2008
Bob Reeves - Bristol University
Bob spoke to the club about the part that Bristol can play in the 2012 London Olympics.
Thursday, 11 September 2008
Catherine Corriea - Life Education Bristol
Life Education is one of the most active charities in Bristol, and Catherine came to talk to us about the wonderful work that it does.
Thursday, 14 August 2008
Tony Gordon - Motivational Speaker
Tony returned to Bristol Bridge to give the second part of his talk about succeeding in business. During his remarkable 35-year career, Tony Gordon built one of the most successful and profitable financial services businesses in Europe, and he has now established himself as one of the most charismatic speakers in his profession, speaking in over 40 countries at every major insurance event in the world.
As ever, Tony was very popular, and the meeting overran by some margin! Watch this space for a possible return visit!
Thursday, 17 July 2008
Matthew Pickard
Matthew talked to us about Environmental Impact Assessments.
Thursday, 19 June 2008
Peter Davy - Severnside Rotary Club
The Clifton Rocks Railway was a major engineering feat of the Victorian era - a water powered 'funicular' railway, located in Hotwells, which opened in 1893, and operated for 40 years.
Peter Davy, an active member of the Severnside Rotary club, came to talk to us about the project to restore and operate the Clifton Rocks Railway as a sustainable visitor attraction and transport system. Peter was an excellent and very entertaining speaker, who very kindly offered to show us around what's left of the Clifton Rocks railway. Check out our Social pages for further information about this event.
Thursday, 22 May 2008
Suzie Webster - FareShare South-West
FareShare South West is the local arm of a national charity, which has come up with a brilliant idea to help disadvantage people and save the environment at the same time.
Food and drink sold by supermarkets must be sold by their "sell by" dates, even if the "use by" date is a few days later. If goods can't be sold before their sell-by dates, they are simply thrown away, even though they may be perfectly safe and healthy to eat. In addition, food which might be labelled wrongly, is simply discarded, as that is cheaper than relabelling. Tonnes of edible food simply go to landfill. At the same time, it is estimated that about 4 million people in the UK cannot afford a healthy diet, with elderly people being particularly at risk of malnourishment.
FareShare collects surplus food and drink from supermarkets and redistributes it to anyone who needs it, including homeless shelters and youth centres. There are about 50 organisations in Bristol which will directly benefit from FareShare's activities this year.
FareShare is one of the charities that we will be supporting in the coming year, and Suzie was very excited to tell us more about what they do and how our club can help. In particular, they are always after any professional help that we may be able to provide, such as help with getting their IT systems set up. In addition, Suzie organises corporate volunteering days, which all our members should be able to encourage their employers to take part in. If you are interested in supporting FareShare, please contact Suzie via the FareShare website, or get in touch with our charities secretary.
Thursday, 24 April 2008
Jo Gipps - Bristol Zoo
Dr Jo Gipps joined Bristol Zoo Gardens as Director in September 2001. He previously worked at London Zoo for twelve years, eight as Director. Jo chairs the Conservation Committee of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and is on the Steering Committee of the Conservation Breeding Specialist Group and a former trustee of the International Species Information System. In January 2000, he was awarded the OBE for services to the "Web of Life" biodiversity project at London Zoo.
One of Bristol Zoo's major projects is the development of a National Wildlife Conservation Park just 15 minutes from Cribbs Causeway, off the M5. This £62 million project will incorporate about 136 acres of land to provide a new type of zoo of international importance. It has been designed to exhibit particular ecosystems and geographical regions linked to areas of high conservation importance, showcasing a wide variety of animals and plants in a naturalistic setting.
Jo gave a whirlwind tour of the history of zoological gardens, and the role modern zoos play in conservation worldwide. His wonderful presentation included pictures of many photogenic animals, as well as some interesting shots of a cataract operation on a gorilla. It was definitely a very memorable talk!
Thursday, 27 March 2008
John Hirst - Broadmead regeneration
The Broadmead Board is a public/private partnership which was set up in 1995 to manage the Broadmead shopping area, with the overall aims of increasing the footfall into Broadmead. Currently, its most exciting project is the Cabot Circus £500 million development, which is scheduled to be completed and fully open by September 2008. John Hirst, the Broadmead manager, and a member of the Rotary Club of Bristol, talked to the club about the aims and progress of this redevelopment.