​Taplow Court is a beautiful venue owned by Soka Gakkai International (SGI) Buddhism in Action for Peace. Our Sponsors for the talent show included the Shanly Foundation, the Baylis Foundation and of course SGI.

There were two shows: a matinee and an evening event which ended with a performance from a magician. Performers came from local schools and after school groups which included choirs, dance troupes, solo singers, solo performers and musicians. The event allows everybody to experience performing on stage. The show confirms that we have lots of talent in Maidenhead.

We should give a big thank you to the audience who came along to support performers, the performers themselves, and of course all the Rotary volunteers. The finances are still being collated but an estimated figure of £4000 has been raised by Rotary in Maidenhead to support local and international charities.

President Sean Egan welcomed two new members into the club at the meeting on Monday 2nd March - Sue Dutton and John Yates. Club members are looking forward to working with them.

On Friday 28th February the club held a very successful and enjoyable Wine Quiz evening at Maidenhead Rugby Club, organised by the Fund Raising committee. Thanks go to Peter Graham for his efforts in getting a record 115 people on the night, Rosario Sardo for the delicious platters of Italian cold meats and cheeses and providing a great selection of wines. The sommelier Gordon challenged everyone once again with impossible questions.

There was also a raffle, and by the end of the evening approximately £1500 had been made for the club's charity funds, and a lot of wine had been sampled (and drunk!).

Thanks to all members, friends and families who supported us at this extremely popular event.

Andrew Ingram gave an exciting presentation to the Club this week on his plan to inaugurate an annual Kart race in Maidenhead.  These been very successful in places like Cookham Dean and Leeds and, indeed across the world; some being sponsored by Red Bull and some also being televised.  Whilst some of these events have very fast carts and even obstacles, Andrew’s plan is to have simple fun event hopefully starting this June.  He still has some local issues to resolve such as road closure but, all being well, hopes to run the event down Grenfell Road from the junction with Boyn Hill Avenue to a point adjacent to Grenfell Park.  He intends to capitalise on the event by holding a family fun day in Grenfell Park on the same day.
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​The event is intended to support the Alexander Devine charity but will be billed as a Rotary event.  This would provide a wonderful opportunity for the public to see Rotary at work and has already attracted interest from Theresa May, The Advertiser and Radio Berkshire, and support from the Bayliss Trust. 

​We look forward to further updates from Andrew about this amazing initiative.

Above: Winning ticket holder with club President Sean Egan, and lunch guests

On Monday 6th January Maidenhead Rotary Club held a 12th Night Lunch at Desborough Bowling Club.  The event was an alternative to the regular Rotary Club Christmas Party. In recent years we had received some feedback and comments that our guests were attending too many parties leading up to Christmas, therefore the Community Committee decided to try a different approach with an event in January when the Christmas rush had quietened down.
 
Fifty one guests were treated to a glass of sherry or fruit juice on arrival and a meal of steak pie, roast potatoes, and vegetables, followed by dessert. An optional glass of wine was also available. Entertainment was provided after lunch by Marlow Ukulele Group, who played a selection of 40’s, 50’s & 60’s music with ukuleles plus a washboard and a kazoo. The music was very well received, and as songbooks were provided there was lots of singing from the audience.
 
The support of the Mayor of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Sayonara Luxton, was much appreciated. It was the Maidenhead Rotary Club’s first event at the new Desborough Bowling Club and we will be looking to plan future events at this great location as it was a great success.
 
The Community Committee is trying to address loneliness and the more deserving members of our community, therefore guests were recommended by community wardens, and were invited from Men’s Matters, The Sue Brett Foundation, Give and Take Care, and Cox Green Lunch Club.

Below: President Sean with the Mayor, Marlow Ukulele Group, Rotary Club helpers

​The club held its Christmas evening meeting on Monday at Maidenhead Golf Club, where a  large number of members and guests enjoyed a 3 course meal, and a quiz that taxed everyone's brains.

The annual 100 Club Draw took place and the delighted winners went home with an unexpected Christmas present.

​To finish the evening, we sang Christmas carols, accompanied by the Salvation Army. Three club members bravely volunteered to stand up and sing 'We Three Kings', including our President Sean Egan.

The club had an informative talk this week from member Eddie Piekut about homelessness in Maidenhead, because as we approach Christmas our thoughts go to the less fortunate in our community.  

The WAM Primary Care Homeless Project is a group comprised of people from RBWM, the NHS,  Community Wardens, a GP, a Podiatrist and the Brett Foundation. The Make Every Adult Matter (MEAM) co-ordinator is also a key contributor. (MEAM is focused on developing an effective and coordinated approach for services working with people with multiple needs and promoting lasting, embedded change to local systems).
 
The Sue Brett Foundation originally came out of the Maidenhead Foodshare initiative, and then as a separate entity launched its King Street drop-in centre in 2016. Sue Brett provides a range of facilities for those in need. The Brett Bus ‘Howard’ can sleep 12. Sue has also launched ‘Butterfly’ this year - a project that aims to provide employment for homeless people.
 
As there was no leaflet or simple point of information for anyone becoming homeless, two of our members have produced a leaflet providing advice and a map of where to get meals, advice and other useful information. 
 
On Sunday club members helped the Lions Club of Maidenhead assemble 270 Christmas food parcels which will be delivered to households in Maidenhead. The remaining boxes and bags, and some specially prepared packs for the homeless were delivered to John West House for distribution by Sue Brett and the Homeless Project.
 
Congratulations to the Lions, the WAM Primary Care Homeless Project members, and our Rotary members involved in this vital service to our community.