Rotary Club keeps community spinning in 2022

THE Rotary Club of Westbury were active in 2022 with members participating in a variety of community-focussed events with even more activities planned for this year!

Last year, the club’s activities included helping to raise awareness about polio by planting crocuses throughout the town and taking local children to a day out at Longleat, as well as helping out at various community events.

The club say, “In the past 12 months we have been very active in both the Westbury community and by raising money for international events.

“We have planted crocuses around Westbury to reflect Rotary’s work in eradicating polio worldwide; held the annual Imber Ultra Marathon race in conjunction with Avon Valley Runners; taken kids from two Westbury schools to Longleat for a lovely day out with the Kids Out charity; supported the Youth Adventure Trust in Wiltshire; assisted the Leigh Park Community Centre; organised the annual schools carol concert in All Saints’ Church; dished out mulled wine and mince pies to all and sundry on the Christmas lights illumination ceremony; supported the town council in their litter picking enterprises; held a gin and rum online tasting evening (saves any trouble with drink driving!) and many other worthwhile events.

“We have also been fundraising outside Morrisons in aid of the Ukrainian war survivors; monies raised went to Rotary in Ukraine thus eliminating any third parties and ensuring all the funds are used correctly.

“During the locked down periods we used Zoom for our regular meetings, although not as good as face-to-face meetings, it kept us in touch with each other remarkably well.

“In July we had a change of leadership; our outgoing president, Julian Sandoe, handed over the reins to the new president Jon Street.

“We also changed our regular meeting venue to the Full Moon at Rudge which is where we held our Christmas dinner night.

“We are looking forward to the coming year with as much enthusiasm as the last. A St George’s dinner is planned for April.

“We have regular fortnightly meetings at the Full Moon and have interesting talks from local people; one such talk concerned a charitable organisation helping education in India and we have a speaker coming soon to describe her adventures as a ranger in South Africa.

“We also have skittles teams, one in the Westbury League and another competing in the Rotary district knockout competition; we were runners up in 2022. Our president is also aiming to climb Snowdon to raise funds for charity…but more of that later.

“New members who wish to be part of Rotary are always welcome to enquire. We have a membership from a wide range of professions and backgrounds. Prospective members are always welcomed by the existing members, and we all feel that becoming a Rotarian has enhanced our lives immensely.”

You can find out more about what the Rotary Club of Westbury are up to by following their Facebook page (The Rotary Club of Westbury, Wiltshire UK) or by visiting their website at https://bit.ly/3QNGLZy

Enquiries can be made direct to davidjohnpike@ aol.com or jonathanstreet @hotmail.co.uk