Stourbridge Rotary Club (From Stourbridge News)

Stourbridge Rotary Club

STOURBRIDGE Rotary club recently held their Scholars' Supper at Stourbridge golf club - an annual get together with students and staff from the local schools & colleges to outline the different types of grants available from Rotary which can help enhance their further education.

The guest speaker was Bromsgrove MP Julie Kirkbride, herself a recipient of one of the Rotary educational grants in her student days. Julie learnt of Rotary's educational help whilst at university and as a result of successfully applying for a grant, Rotary covered her expenses to study journalism for a year as a Foundation scholar at the University of California in Berkeley.

The experience gave her a wider, overall view of life and an insight into another culture, in addition to enhancing her academic abilities.

Julie made the point to the 20 plus students present that Rotary could give them similar "once in a lifetime" opportunities - all they had to do was apply.

Rotarian Mike Clark gave a more detailed description of the scholarships that are available for a range of student ages, from 16 yrs up to young professionals in their 30's, with a wide spectrum af study subjects in a choice of many countries overseas.

In the same week, this time at St James' church hall in Wollaston, Rotarians and friends were learning more about antiques.

Will Farmer of Fieldings, the Stourbridge auctioneers, now also a TV celebrity due to his regular appearences on the Antiques Road Show and Flogg It programmes,chatted to an audience of 75 about his early introduction to the world of antiques via his family's keen interest.

Whilst other boys were spending most of their time kicking a football, young Will was scouring the antiques fayres, buying and selling, and developing the skills that he has so successfully put to use in his professional life.

A hugely entertaining evening with a welcome buffet supper thrown in.