Shoppers tune in to Rotary stall and help swell coffers for polio campaign
A MORE unusual stall was seen at last week's market when Knaresborough Rotary Club set up an amateur radio station as part of Rotary's 'Thanks For Life – End Polio' week.
With its special call sign GB0TFL, the idea came from Rotarian John Sonley whose radio equipment was transported to the market place.
Visitors to the stall were invited to guess the total distance travelled by the signals to the most distant contact around the world.
Despite heavy electrical interference from surrounding premises, a total of 27 radio contacts were made with countries including England, Scotland and Wales and also Italy, Spain, Austria, Finland, Crete, Czech Republic, Estonia, Slovenia, and the USA
The most distant radio contact made during the day was with K2SNJ, Jim of Ocean View, New Jersey, USA with a distance of 3,459 miles from Knaresborough.
Sixty contestants took part in the draw with the highest 'guess' as 12,000 miles and the lowest 'guess' at 315 miles.
First prize of a bottle of whisky went to Richard Timson from Appleby Crescent who guessed 3,400 miles. Second prize of three bottles of wine went to Peter Threadgold from Harrogate who guessed 3,250 miles and third prize of a bottle of sherry went to Neil Currie of Thistle Hill who guessed 3,200 miles.
More than 140 was raised for Rotary’s End Polio Campaign representing 700 Polio vaccines.
The initiative was part of Rotary’s national Thanks for Life campaign, that saw hundreds of Rotary clubs across Great Britain and Ireland linking up with schools, businesses, organisations and individuals to hold a range of events to raise the 1 million target during the week which included Rotary’s 105th birthday on Tuesday, February 23, 2010.
l Knaresborough Rotary Club meets at Nidd Hall on Monday evenings. Anyone interested in finding out more should contact the Secretary Ian Ibbotson on 01423 340775 or e-mail Ibbotson821@btinternet.com
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Weather for Ripon
Thursday 24 May 2012
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