The Three Valleys organisation is a social and community fundraising group, for men and women in the Beds, Bucks and Herts area. (The lea, Colne and Thames valley areas, hence the name).
The Three Valleys club was formed in 1999, with many of the founders having previously been members of St Albans Rotaract (a part of Rotary International).
It is significant in being independent and raising money for small local charities where a small amount of funding makes a big difference.
The club is in regular contact and have good relations with local Rotary, Lions and other voluntary organisations, but are entirely independent.
Members want to get the most out of life so an active social life, full of variety, is a high priority. At the same time we want other people to benefit from our enthusiasm too. By volunteering their time and energy, they help local organisations and charities do more for the community. Three Valleys are proud of the fact that they have distributed money to many charitable organisations since their formation as well as providing time and peoples energy to many other charities.
Philosophy
The Three Valleys was set up to be both a social outlet for its members and give something back to the community.
It has worked on both levels
The Club meets fortnighlty to enjoy:
* Interesting, fun events
* Organising ways of supporting local organisations and charities
* Having a laugh with all the friends we've made
Members want to get the most out of life so an active social life, full of variety, is a high priority. At the same time we want other people to benefit from our enthusiasm too. By volunteering our time and energy, we help local organisations and charities do more for the community. Three Valleys are proud of the fact that we have distributed money to many charitable organisations since our formation as well as providing time and peoples energy to many other charities.
History
Why the club was formed
The Three Valleys club was formed in 1999, with many of the founders having previously been members of St Albans Rotaract (a part of Rotary International).
Initially it was set up as a Rotaserv club so was part of the Rotary movement
The club works with and have good relations with local Rotary, Lions and other voluntary organisations, but are entirely independent.
the club try to maintain a young outlook, and have enjoyed success in recruiting new members.
The club have no strict age policy though most of the current members are in their thirties and forties.
How the club works
The club elects its own president and officers among its active members for a one year term. The Northern clubs has a separate president. The governing body of the club is the board of directors, which consists of president-elect, vice president, club secretary and treasurer, chaired by club president. The club president appoints the chairmen of the four main task groups for club service, vocational service, community service and international service.
Three Valleys Club North
Three Valleys North club was formed in 2006, with most members having been involved in community service organisations. The two clubs became the Three Valleys organisation and this enabled both clubs to become stronger in both their social and community activities.
Presidents
Past Presidents
* Richard Solomon = 1999-2000
* Nigel Crawford = 2000-2001
* Stuart Dwight = 2001-2002
* Jo Favall = 2002-2003
* Sue Phillips = 2003-2004
* Rob Wallis = 2004-2005
* Martin Lewis = 2005-2006
* Chris Bradley = 2006-2007
* Richard Malet = 2007-2008
Active membership
According to its constitutions, Three Valleys defines itself as a non-partisan, non-sectarian organization. It is open anyone in the Hertfordshire Bedfordshire area.
Active membership has stayed steady at about 30 people for the past 10 years
Honorary membership
Paul Gardiner who helped found the Three Valley Club was given a Honorary Life membership. The Harpenden Village (Rotary Club) sponsored the Three Valleys club in ite early years as a Rotaserv club
Murder mystery
The Three Valleys club have written and performed 5 Murder Mysteries. These have become the main annual event for the club.
Meetings
The three valleys club meet in wheathampsted on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month.
For details
Charities
Each year a charity is selected and money is raised for the selected charity.
Normally between £1000 and £3000 is raised each year.
Charities helped include
* Community Meeting Point, Harpenden
* Macmillian Nurse
* Headstart
* Hertfordshire Association for the disabled
* Phoenix Holidays
* Send a Cow
* Peace Hospice, Watford
* Childline
* Open Door Homeless shelter, St. Albans
* PHAB, St. Albans
* National Assoc. Colitis and Crohns
* Keech Cottage
* Mencap, Hitchin & Letchworth
* Care for Carers, Stevenage
* Great Ormond Street Hospital
Gordana Jenell is a stage and film actress, born on December 12, 1982, in Podgorica, Montenegro.
In 2004, she graduated of the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Cetinje. As a student she was mentored by an eminent Yugoslavian film and stage actor Prof. Boro Stjepanovic. Gordana performed on the stages of: Royal Theatre of Montenegro "Zetski Dom", City Theatre of Podgorica] (Gradsko Pozoriste) and National Theatre of Montenegro (Crnogorsko Narodno Pozoriste). In 2003 she started working as a talk show host at the Serbian television "TV Pink". She quit after four months. In 2005 she moved to New York City. A year after, she got her first break in a movie - Blitzkrieg: Escape from Stalag 69, where she played one of the leading characters named Frieda.
http://gordanajenell.com/images/gal_large6.jpg
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2777651/
In 2004, she graduated of the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Cetinje. As a student she was mentored by an eminent Yugoslavian film and stage actor Prof. Boro Stjepanovic. Gordana performed on the stages of: Royal Theatre of Montenegro "Zetski Dom", City Theatre of Podgorica] (Gradsko Pozoriste) and National Theatre of Montenegro (Crnogorsko Narodno Pozoriste). In 2003 she started working as a talk show host at the Serbian television "TV Pink". She quit after four months. In 2005 she moved to New York City. A year after, she got her first break in a movie - Blitzkrieg: Escape from Stalag 69, where she played one of the leading characters named Frieda.
http://gordanajenell.com/images/gal_large6.jpg
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2777651/
Cheirognomy is the study of mounts in chiromancy, the occult art of characterization and foretelling the future through the study of the palm of the hand. Each mount correlates to a planetary influence. The thumb, Rhea, is above the mount of Venus. The index finger, ruled by Jupiter, is above the mount of Jupiter. The middle finger, ruled by Saturn, is above the mount of Saturn. The ring finger, ruled by Apollo/the Sun God, is above the mount of Apollo. The pinky finger, ruled by Mercury, is above the mount of Mercury. Upper Mars mount is located beneath the mount of Jupiter, the plain of Mars is located in the center of the palm (beneath the mount of Saturn), and lower Mars mount is located beneath the mounts of Apollo and Mercury. Earth mount is located on the fleshy mount created on the back side of the hand when the thumb and index finger are pushed against each other. The mount of Luna is located on the lower part of the palm directly below the lower plain of Mars.
Our Wee Country
“Our Wee Country” is the nickname given to the country of Northern Ireland by the people that reside in it. It is also the name of the biggest fan based online forum in Northern Ireland. This forum is made up of fans that follow the Northern Ireland international Football team and has had a presence online since 1999, starting as a humble emailing list they now have over 7000 members and their main website and forum receives over 400,000 topic views a month.
Fiercely independent, Our Wee Country has been at the vanguard for what is now Football for All and the catalyst of many of the changes which have occurred in the NI support over the last 5 years. They are dedicated to the cause of football and supporting Northern Ireland, but they also raise a lot of money for local charities. Our Wee country online forum and website was awarded with the ‘Unsung Hero’ award in the international football section of the FFA awards. Our Wee Country website and forum also sponsored the Northern Ireland cerebral palsy football team. In 2008 on hearing that West Belfast pensioner Jack Cassidy was robbed in his house and had his life savings stolen while watching the NI v Denmark match on his TV. The members of Our Wee Country Forum, organised by a member of the forum Admin Team, held a ballot on the forum to raise money for Jack. The members of the forum gave prizes towards the ballot and the supporters raised over £800.00 for jack to have a good Christmas. On being presented with the money Jack said “It just shows you no matter how much bad there is in the world there is always more good” Members of the forum continue to raise money for local charities and there are a few upcoming events being orgainised to help the local community.
The 2008 acceptance speech given at the awards dinner night:
"Turning, if I may, to the “Green & White Army Unsung Hero Award”, it is a pleasure to announce that the award this year goes to the OurWeeCountry website.
Founded by well known, and well traveled, Northern Ireland fan, Marty, Our Wee Country has had a web presence since 1999 - Marty had been involved in pioneering Northern Ireland fanzines prior to this.
Starting as a humble emailing list, the site now has approximately 7,500 registered members - of which nearly 1,000 individuals are site "Patrons".
The site is fiercely independent and has been at the vanguard for what is now "Football For All".
The site, at inception, took a robust stance that anyone who pulled on the famous emerald green shirt and wore it with pride, regardless of their background, should receive the unequivocal support of the fans - to many people it might seem logical that there was no other stance to take, but, sadly, some who wished to live in the dark ages had other thoughts on the matter. On occasion, this led to threats and intimidation against site members from those who clung to a misguided belief that things didn’t need changing.
Our Wee Country has been the catalyst of many of the positive changes which have occurred at Northern Ireland matches in recent years, with lively debate on a comprehensive range of topical issues pertaining to Northern Irish international football "the norm" on the, increasingly popular, fans discussion forum.
The site is now firmly established as the Number 1 web focal point for Northern Ireland fans throughout the world.
Football For All
----
The very concept to rid sectarianism from football within Northern Ireland came from the Our Wee Country Fanzine Magazine.
This 'plea' appeared in issue 5 of the fanzine. John Laverty republished it in full a few days later on the back page of the Belfast Telegraph.
The reaction to it was, lets say interesting. It ranged from other fans contacting us and offering help and support to threats of physical abuse! Gary Hancock of the Amalgammation of NISC called for a boycott of the fanzine because, as I later found out, we weren't towing the line. I took that to mean we should be ignoring, like the IFA and Amalgammation, the embrassing issue of the sectarian songs at internationals. The article and more so the coverage in the Belfast Telegraph was the catalyst for the fundamental change in the atmosphere matches and image Northern Ireland fans now have. Supporters began to shout down those who started the sectarian songs and the IFA and Amalgamation were, you could say, shamed into action and what is now Football for All
Since 1998 the IFA has worked in partnership with the Northern Ireland Community Relations Council, Sports Council Northern Ireland and Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters Clubs to tackle the problems of sectarianism in football, with assistance from the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation. Our Wee Country Fanzine was the birthplace of the football for all ethos.
"The IFA respects and values diversity. We endeavour to provide an environment which values and enables the full involvement of all people, in all aspects and at every level of Northern Ireland football, regardless of perceived cultural identity, political affiliation or religious beliefs. We believe in the philosophy of Football For All".
The Fanzine
----
The first issue in 1996 was aimed at Northern Ireland fans on the mainland as the owner was living in Scotland at the time.
The interest was so high from those who read our free 4 pager given to fans at the Germany away game in 1996 we decided to abandon the mainland tag and start selling at Windsor Park. Issue 2 was launched onto the NI footballing public on a wet February night against Belgium in 1997 and continued to be sold at most home games until issue 17 in 2002. Producing the fanzine became too time consuming and it was decided to concentrate on the Internet forum which of course has gone from strength to strength. Originally called ‘There’s a Wee Spot in Europe’ the name was changed to Our Wee Country inspired by Barry Hunters post match shout to the camera, “What About Our Wee Country” after drawing with European Champions, Germany, in Nuremberg. Some of our favourite and most controversial articles from the 17 issues we published are included here, along with a few other things that didn't fit in anywhere else.
“Our Wee Country” is the nickname given to the country of Northern Ireland by the people that reside in it. It is also the name of the biggest fan based online forum in Northern Ireland. This forum is made up of fans that follow the Northern Ireland international Football team and has had a presence online since 1999, starting as a humble emailing list they now have over 7000 members and their main website and forum receives over 400,000 topic views a month.
Fiercely independent, Our Wee Country has been at the vanguard for what is now Football for All and the catalyst of many of the changes which have occurred in the NI support over the last 5 years. They are dedicated to the cause of football and supporting Northern Ireland, but they also raise a lot of money for local charities. Our Wee country online forum and website was awarded with the ‘Unsung Hero’ award in the international football section of the FFA awards. Our Wee Country website and forum also sponsored the Northern Ireland cerebral palsy football team. In 2008 on hearing that West Belfast pensioner Jack Cassidy was robbed in his house and had his life savings stolen while watching the NI v Denmark match on his TV. The members of Our Wee Country Forum, organised by a member of the forum Admin Team, held a ballot on the forum to raise money for Jack. The members of the forum gave prizes towards the ballot and the supporters raised over £800.00 for jack to have a good Christmas. On being presented with the money Jack said “It just shows you no matter how much bad there is in the world there is always more good” Members of the forum continue to raise money for local charities and there are a few upcoming events being orgainised to help the local community.
The 2008 acceptance speech given at the awards dinner night:
"Turning, if I may, to the “Green & White Army Unsung Hero Award”, it is a pleasure to announce that the award this year goes to the OurWeeCountry website.
Founded by well known, and well traveled, Northern Ireland fan, Marty, Our Wee Country has had a web presence since 1999 - Marty had been involved in pioneering Northern Ireland fanzines prior to this.
Starting as a humble emailing list, the site now has approximately 7,500 registered members - of which nearly 1,000 individuals are site "Patrons".
The site is fiercely independent and has been at the vanguard for what is now "Football For All".
The site, at inception, took a robust stance that anyone who pulled on the famous emerald green shirt and wore it with pride, regardless of their background, should receive the unequivocal support of the fans - to many people it might seem logical that there was no other stance to take, but, sadly, some who wished to live in the dark ages had other thoughts on the matter. On occasion, this led to threats and intimidation against site members from those who clung to a misguided belief that things didn’t need changing.
Our Wee Country has been the catalyst of many of the positive changes which have occurred at Northern Ireland matches in recent years, with lively debate on a comprehensive range of topical issues pertaining to Northern Irish international football "the norm" on the, increasingly popular, fans discussion forum.
The site is now firmly established as the Number 1 web focal point for Northern Ireland fans throughout the world.
Football For All
----
The very concept to rid sectarianism from football within Northern Ireland came from the Our Wee Country Fanzine Magazine.
This 'plea' appeared in issue 5 of the fanzine. John Laverty republished it in full a few days later on the back page of the Belfast Telegraph.
The reaction to it was, lets say interesting. It ranged from other fans contacting us and offering help and support to threats of physical abuse! Gary Hancock of the Amalgammation of NISC called for a boycott of the fanzine because, as I later found out, we weren't towing the line. I took that to mean we should be ignoring, like the IFA and Amalgammation, the embrassing issue of the sectarian songs at internationals. The article and more so the coverage in the Belfast Telegraph was the catalyst for the fundamental change in the atmosphere matches and image Northern Ireland fans now have. Supporters began to shout down those who started the sectarian songs and the IFA and Amalgamation were, you could say, shamed into action and what is now Football for All
Since 1998 the IFA has worked in partnership with the Northern Ireland Community Relations Council, Sports Council Northern Ireland and Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters Clubs to tackle the problems of sectarianism in football, with assistance from the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation. Our Wee Country Fanzine was the birthplace of the football for all ethos.
"The IFA respects and values diversity. We endeavour to provide an environment which values and enables the full involvement of all people, in all aspects and at every level of Northern Ireland football, regardless of perceived cultural identity, political affiliation or religious beliefs. We believe in the philosophy of Football For All".
The Fanzine
----
The first issue in 1996 was aimed at Northern Ireland fans on the mainland as the owner was living in Scotland at the time.
The interest was so high from those who read our free 4 pager given to fans at the Germany away game in 1996 we decided to abandon the mainland tag and start selling at Windsor Park. Issue 2 was launched onto the NI footballing public on a wet February night against Belgium in 1997 and continued to be sold at most home games until issue 17 in 2002. Producing the fanzine became too time consuming and it was decided to concentrate on the Internet forum which of course has gone from strength to strength. Originally called ‘There’s a Wee Spot in Europe’ the name was changed to Our Wee Country inspired by Barry Hunters post match shout to the camera, “What About Our Wee Country” after drawing with European Champions, Germany, in Nuremberg. Some of our favourite and most controversial articles from the 17 issues we published are included here, along with a few other things that didn't fit in anywhere else.