Weymouth in Dorset is a popular venue for Rotary events, but the coronavirus outbreak put paid to the District 1100 conference, which was cancelled on the eve of the event.
Rotary District 1100 is primarily based in Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Wiltshire and parts of Monmouthshire, Wiltshire, Somerset, South Gloucestershire with 69 clubs with around 2,500 members.
Despite the eleventh-hour cancellation, members of the eRotary West of England club were not going to be deterred.
They gathered other Rotarians who had travelled to the south coast town and went ahead with a planned beach clean. They were joined by District 1100 Governor, Judy Powell.
Spokeswoman, Lynda Morse, said: “Nine of us gathered at three o’clock at the Pavilion end of the beach, and proceeded for the next hour down the beach.
Rotarians who had travelled to the south coast town and went ahead with a planned beach clean. They were joined by District 1100 Governor, Judy Powell.
“We collected five bags of rubbish. It should be noted that Weymouth beach is regularly cleaned, but our time and effort was still much appreciated.
“We feel that this is a simple and effective way to show Rotary’s commitment to helping the environment, and is a good way to promote the Rotary movement.”
The eClub has members from across Europe who regularly meet online and are involved in various projects. The District Conference is their opportunity to meet face-to-face.
And it’s not the first time they have taken part in a beach clean, having undertaken one in Barcelona.
We feel that this is a simple and effective way to show Rotary’s commitment to helping the environment, and is a good way to promote the Rotary movement.”
Meanwhile, over the water in Northern Ireland, Antrim Rotary recent inducted 10 associate members to the club.
“Rotary Antrim hope that these members will quickly convert to full Rotary membership,” said President-elect, Heather Montgomery. The new members are pictured with District Governor, William Cross, and club President, Robert Elliott.
Also pre-coronavirus, what better way to spend a Friday morning than enjoying a cup of coffee and a slice of cake, whilst also taxing your ‘little grey cells’ and raising money for a very worthy cause?
And so it was that over 30 enthusiastic quizzers assembled at Layla’s Coffee House in Leatherhead High Street to take part in a special ‘Coffee, Cake and Quiz Morning’ being organised by Leatherhead Rotary Club in aid of the Australian Red Cross. The event raised more than £350 to support the victims of the recent bushfires in Australia.
In Leicestershire, Lutterworth Sports Centre played host for a fourth year to Lutterworth Rotary Club’s ‘Spin into Spring’ Indoor Cycling event.
The club teamed up with spinning instructor Richard Stannard to run six one-hour spinning sessions giving cyclists a ‘virtual trip’ around some of the world’s more famous cycle rides, all with musical accompaniment.
Not only does it raise a lot of money for some good causes, but it encourages people to keep fit, and acts as another way in which the community can come together and have some fun.”
The event was a fund-raiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, Macmillan Cancer Support & other Rotary-supported charities.
There was a great response, with entries for well over 100 time slots from people ranging from those who had never stepped onto a static bike before to others who were used to cycling marathons and had booked to ride for all six hours
President of Lutterworth Rotary, Sally Hollis, said that the event had raised more than £2,000. She said: “The Indoor Bike Ride has been a great event to be involved in again.
“Not only does it raise a lot of money for some good causes, but it encourages people to keep fit, and acts as another way in which the community can come together and have some fun.”
