Blog Posts

Maidenhead Open Gardens – another blooming success!...

16/6/2026

Maidenhead Rotary Club’s Open Gardens 2026 proved to be another wonderful success, bringing together garden owners, volunteers, visitors and the local community for a memorable weekend of beautiful gardens, friendship and fundraising.

Over the weekend of Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th June, visitors enjoyed exploring a diverse collection of private gardens across Maidenhead and the surrounding areas. This year’s event featured a delightful mix of both new and returning gardens, each offering something unique and inspiring for gardening enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.

We were particularly honoured to welcome the Mayor of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Siân Adams, accompanied by her Consort, Tim Adams, who visited two of our participating gardens on Saturday. We were also delighted to welcome MP Joshua Reynolds, who visited two gardens on Sunday and met with garden owners, volunteers and visitors.

The event attracted both new visitors and many loyal supporters who return year after year. Visitors enjoyed not only the beautiful gardens but also cream teas, refreshments, arts and crafts, and the warm hospitality that has become a hallmark of Maidenhead Rotary Open Gardens.

None of this would be possible without the generosity of our garden owners who opened their gates to the public, our dedicated volunteers who gave their time so freely, and everyone who purchased tickets and supported the event.

Funds raised from this year’s Open Gardens will be distributed to our chosen charities, helping support important local and national causes and continuing Rotary’s commitment to serving the community.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone involved. The enthusiasm, support and community spirit shown throughout the weekend were truly remarkable.

Although we are still celebrating the success of this year’s event, planning has already begun for Maidenhead Rotary Open Gardens 2027. We look forward to making next year’s event even bigger and better, welcoming more gardens, more visitors and raising even more for charity.

Thank you for helping make Maidenhead Rotary Open Gardens 2026 such a special success.

Core values of Rotary...

8/6/2026

Today we celebrate 100 years...!

2/6/2026

On 2nd June 1926, Maidenhead Rotary Club received its Charter. Today, exactly 100 years later, we proudly celebrate a century of service, friendship and community impact.

For 100 years our members have lived Rotary’s motto of 'Service Above Self', supporting local causes, helping those in need and making a difference across Maidenhead and beyond.

To mark this special occasion, visit our Centenary Exhibition from 4th to 11th June at:

Maidenhead Library
St. Ives Road
Maidenhead SL6 1QU

Explore historic photographs, memorable moments and the story of 100 years of service to our community.

Thank you to all members, past and present, and to everyone who has supported us throughout the years.

Here’s to our first 100 years – and the next 100 to come!

Record heat, record buyers and record sales...

26/5/2026

Two days of being boiled on an open field isn't the most pleasant way to spend the time, but Rotarian Yvonne Johnson Mullin and her helper Marie Wikström stoically put up with it and made £400.60.

That was the result of Rotary Club of Maidenhead's two day fund raising event at Taplow Giant Car Boot over the Bank Holiday weekend.

A surprisingly large number of buyers turned up on a bargain hunt. The scorching temperatures didn't scare them off and at one point Yvonne and Marie thought they would need to send for more items to sell!

Centenary Service in Bray...

25/5/2026

The Rotary Club of Maidenhead was delighted to celebrate its Centenary Thanksgiving Service at St Michael’s Church, Bray on Saturday 23rd May, marking 100 years of service, fellowship and community support since being chartered in 1926.

It was a wonderful occasion attended by members, families, friends and supporters from across the community.

The service reflected on a century of Rotary service both locally and internationally and gave thanks for the dedication and friendship of generations of Rotarians.

Following the service, everyone enjoyed refreshments at the Parish Centre, where drinks, cakes and sandwiches kindly brought by members and supporters created a warm and friendly atmosphere for continued fellowship and celebration.

Thank you to everyone who attended, contributed refreshments and helped make the day such a memorable and successful occasion.

“Service Above Self”
Rotary Club of Maidenhead
Celebrating 100 Years • 1926–2026

Gardener's coffee morning...

10/5/2026

A dozen enthusiastic local gardeners gathered for coffee at Bray Village Hall last Friday to take part in this year's Open Gardens, an annual event organised by Rotary Club of Maidenhead.

This popular happening is scheduled for Saturday June 13th and Sunday June 14th, and covers a multitude of different gardens that are havens of green in and around Maidenhead.

The 16 participants really show how their green fingers work wonders – from the smallest little plot to the largest country garden.

All are well worth a visit and all have their own special charm. They are places to admire, in which to feel relaxed and seek inspiration.

Gardening on a global scale...

28/4/2026

Maidenhead Rotary Club happily welcomed guest speaker Chris Leach from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission for the third time when he visited us at the Odney Club in Cookham on Monday evening April 27th.

This time Chris mesmerised us with an inspirational presentation on Global Gardening – 23,000 war cemeteries in 150 countries across the world, all impeccably tended by 850 gardeners!

Major-General Sir Fabian Ware was the founder of the organisation while paleographer Sir Frederic Kenyon at the British Museum, botanist and director of Kew Gardens Sir Arthur Hill, and garden designer Gertrude Jekyll were the trio behind the start-up of the beautifully created war cemeteries.

Although red roses are an expected sign at the cemeteries they have had to be exchanged for other flowers in some countries due to the differences in climate.

In Florence there is an abundance of salvia instead, while colourful bougainvillea had to be planted in Egypt, in South Africa ornamental grasses surround the war graves and in Singapore decorative Travellers Palms have had to be used.

Climate change, sustainable gardening and water conservation have to be considered, as well as animals eating the flowers, rabbits digging holes and birds nesting in the greenery.

While many cemeteries show impressive headstones some countries have had to honour the fallen heroes with very low name plaques as they will withstand potential earthquakes or flooding.

The six Commonwealth countries – UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India and South Africa – jointly pay £75 million a year for the running costs and the upkeep of these important historical war memorials.

'Trunks Across the Thames' baby delivered!...

25/4/2026

It was a real pleasure for Maidenhead Rotary Club’s President Maria Scavetta, to deliver baby elephant, Clarence, back to his herd.

Children at Claire’s Court school named the elephant and decorated Clarence beautifully with their thumbprints.

Maidenhead Rotary Club are taking part in the Thames Valley Hospice ‘Trunks across the Thames’ fund-raising event running from July-September 2026.

Clarence will also be displayed as part of the club’s Centenary celebrations, commemorating 100 years of service to the community, at an exhibition at Maidenhead library from the 4-11th June 2026.

A morning of sunshine and fellowship...

19/4/2026

On a sunny Sunday morning, club members and friends enjoyed a very pleasant local walk alongside the River Thames, sharing friendship and fellowship.

Starting on the Taplow bank, the walk crossed the river twice – by our historic Maidenhead Bridge, and the footbridge at Boulters Lock, and followed the side of the Jubilee River, before the group had a well-earned lunch at Hall & Woodhouse.

President Maria visits Windsor St George...

26/3/2026

Visiting other Rotary Clubs is always a real pleasure and an opportunity to share in fellowship and friendship.

Maidenhead Rotary Club’s President was warmly welcomed to Windsor St George Rotary Club’s evening meeting by their President Chris Davies.

Rotarian Lexie Kassan gave a very topical, informative and interesting talk regarding 'An Intro to useful AI'.

Maidenhead Rotary Club will be celebrating 100 years of being chartered and its daughter and granddaughter club will join them to celebrate the special occasion, in a series of Centenary events planned throughout the year.

If you would like to learn more about Maidenhead Rotary Club, part of Rotary International, helping and getting involved in your local community then contact them through their website page:

Maidenhead Rotary Club
www.maidenheadrotary.co.uk