Rotary Newton Abbot has had a busy year so far with volunteering at the local vaccination centre and donating funds to their chosen charities.
Newton Abbot Rotary continue to marshal at the vaccination centre at the Newton Abbot racecourse. The club has had over 90 volunteers marshalling in the last 12 months.
This volunteering project is the biggest in the 100 years of the club, with somewhere in the region of 110,000 vaccinations delivered by the centre and thousands of volunteer hours.
During their meeting on Tuesday the 1st February, 39 of the Newton Abbot Rotarians and volunteers picked nine charities to receive £250 each from the centre donations. The charities included The Towersey Foundation, Dyron’s Journal (Teignbridge Talking Newspaper), Newton Abbot Brownies and Meadowside.
The club also boasts the highest membership in its centennial year. With over 70 members both male and female and ages ranging from 21 to 92 years, the club is mastering inclusivity.
The club also boasts the highest membership in their centennial year.”
Several events are planned to celebrate their 100 year anniversary including a civic reception at Newton’s Place, a granite Rotary Roundel to be installed in Courtenay Street and plans for a Trompe-l’œil on a local building (an art technique that uses realistic imagery to create the optical illusion).
Future fund-raising events include two golf days on May 18th at Stover Golf Club and 22nd September at Dainton Park. To acknowledge the fantastic support of both clubs, Rotary have donated £200 each to the thriving junior sections.
The Great Rotary Wheelbarrow Race will return as part of the Newton Abbot Carnival on Saturday 9th July after an absence of two years, in addition, plans are coming together to add a junior’s race to precede the main race. Interest from local primary schools will be sought and an opportunity for them to raise funds for their school or chosen charity.
Rory, the therapy assistance dog purchased and the training funded by the club, relocated to Newton Abbot College just before Christmas. He is now regularly at the college and settling in well, providing a calming influence on many youngsters who have challenges attending school.
On Thursday the 3rd of February, Rotary facilitated the event ‘Let’s Talk … Let’s Listen’, inviting organisations and charities that help individuals with additional and special needs.
What was a speculative idea proved very worthwhile, giving the attendees an opportunity to share ideas, contacts and knowledge”
The event was a great success, with 10 attending including The No Limits Café, Forde Park Community Project, Bidwell Brook School, Glendinning Academy and Meadowside,
Hosted by Rotarian Martin Smith, he commentated: “What was a speculative idea proved very worthwhile, giving the attendees an opportunity to share ideas, contacts and knowledge”
On the 22nd of March, Rotary Newton Abbot will be inviting anybody interested, to attend an Open meeting at Dainton Park to hear about how the club works in the community and to dispel any out of date myths surrounding Rotary.
Anybody wishing to attend or want to know more about Rotary in Newton Abbot to contact Membership lead – Martin Smith via email martrcna@outlook.com or head over to the club website.
