STOP PRESS
While many of our usual events and activities are curtailed due to Covid-19 restrictions, the club is still functioning as normally as possible. Planning for future events is continuing and club meetings are being held via Zoom on a Monday at
6.30 pm, every two weeks. The situation is being constantly reviewed and any changes will be notified here.
For further information please contact the club (see bottom of page).
6.30 pm, every two weeks. The situation is being constantly reviewed and any changes will be notified here.
For further information please contact the club (see bottom of page).
116 years old and Rotary is more important than ever
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February 23rd marked the 116th anniversary of the founding of Rotary. And, as the country continues to struggle under lockdown, Rotary has never been more relevant or important. But what exactly is it? And who are the Rotarians who continue to work so hard to improve the lives of people in our community and beyond?
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Tree planting marks Rotary's commitment to environment
Rotary president Mary Spinks (right) with Cllr Donna Stimson.
Photo: Maria Scavetta/Photogica
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A tree-planting ceremony in Oaken Grove Park this week marked both the 116th anniversary of Rotary and the organisation’s historic adoption of ‘protecting the environment’ as a core objective.
It is the first time Rotary has added a new ‘area of focus’ to its original six objectives: promoting peace; fighting disease; providing clean water, sanitation and hygiene; maternal and child health; supporting education; and community economic development. The rowan tree was planted for Rotary Day – February 23 – by Maidenhead Rotary Club president Mary Spinks and Cllr Donna Stimson, the borough’s cabinet member for climate change and sustainability. Cllr Stimson, who helped arrange the planting, said: “I was delighted to be approached by Mary. We are already working with Rotary on their Open Gardens weekend and hope to collaborate further on other volunteering activities. As we come out of this dreadful pandemic we are looking for opportunities to draw communities closer together and organisations like Rotary can play a key part.” The Open Gardens weekend, which aims to showcase a range of interesting gardens in the Maidenhead area, is due to take place from June 25-27. There is still time for gardens to register to take part. For more details see www.maidenheadrotary.co.uk/maidenhead-open-gardens.html Maidenhead Open Gardens We will have lots of local gardens for you to visit and enjoy. Perhaps you would consider opening your garden? This is a new event for Maidenhead and surrounding villages organised by Maidenhead Rotary Club www.maidenheadrotary.co.uk |
Rotary sponsors hospice outdoor family areas
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Maidenhead’s Rotary clubs have teamed up with Rotary clubs across the Thames Valley to support two important outdoor family areas at the newly-opened Thames Hospice. The clubs will be sponsoring the family courtyard and the bereavement garden at the hospice site near Bray Lake, which opened its doors in October last year.
Thames Hospice provides expert care for people living with life-limiting illnesses in East Berkshire and South Bucks. A vital part of its work is also supporting their families and carers. If you would like to support the gardens or the Hospice please visit the website https://thameshospice.org.uk/ or get in touch on 01753 842121. |
Thames Hospice CEO Debbie Raven in the family courtyard.
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Rotarian Eddie Clarke drops off one of the laptops at Desborough College.
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Laptop donation helps lockdown learning
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New club digital newspaper
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We're delighted to publish the first edition of Rotary Matters, our new digital newspaper about Maidenhead Rotary Club packed with news about the club and its activities. You can download a copy here:
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Your chance to lead the club
As many members will be aware, the club now has a vacancy for the position of president elect for the rest of this Rotary year, who will then assume the role of president in July for the Rotary year 2021-22.
All members of the club are invited to put themselves forward for the position. It’s a great opportunity to lead the club, help shape its direction, use your existing skills and develop new ones.
All members of the club are invited to put themselves forward for the position. It’s a great opportunity to lead the club, help shape its direction, use your existing skills and develop new ones.
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Current president Mary Spinks explained: “As president one comes to appreciate fully the great work done by Rotarians through our committees by monitoring and sharing the many initiatives and events taking place. It is a great honour to lead such a progressive club and there is plenty of support and help from the committee chairs and other members of the club, many of whom have been past presidents themselves.”
If you are interested in putting yourself forward please speak to President Mary who will be happy to talk in more detail about the role and what accepting this fascinating and important position in our club involves. The closing date is February 28. |
The Rotary Foundation explained
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07/01/2021 For many people in the club the phrase ‘Rotary Foundation’ means the chance to win £50 in a monthly draw and a couple of bigger prizes at Christmas.
But the Rotary Foundation is so much more – it is Rotary’s very own charity that has been in operation for more than 100 years. And the prize draw is simply our club’s unique way of funding our annual contribution to it. Since it was started in 1917, the Rotary Foundation has spent more than $4 billion on life-changing and sustainable projects around the world. Its mission is ‘to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty’. In the 2018-19 financial year alone it has made grants of $86m. |
In 2018-19 alone the Rotary Foundation spent $18m on projects to provide clean water.
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Gardens wanted for charity open weekend next summer
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Interesting gardens of all shapes and sizes are being sought by Maidenhead Rotary Club for an Open Gardens weekend in aid of charity next summer.
The event, which will run over three days from Friday, June 25 to Sunday, June 27, will raise money for dementia research and other Rotary charities. Organisers want to hear from the owners of gardens large and small, new or well-established and hope to include places of interest around Maidenhead that might never before have been open to the public. The aim is to engage with as much of the community as possible and organisers are hoping that a school garden and allotments can also be included. Nearer the time advance tickets will be available online and from Braywick Heath Nursery which has already agreed to be involved. “This is a fantastic opportunity to bring people together, especially those who have found spending time outdoors in their garden good for their wellbeing during a year of lockdown and isolation,” said Rotary Club President, Mary Spinks. Janet Perry, one of the event’s organisers, added: “We hope owners will want to open their gardens and to exchange ideas with like-minded keen gardeners, and for all visitors to have an enjoyable weekend discovering more about some of Maidenhead’s secret gardens hidden away behind garden walls and gates.” Some gardens will also be showcasing the work of artists and hosting stalls selling refreshments, cream teas, plants and books in aid of Rotary charities “At this stage we are asking owners who are interested in opening their gardens to contact us to discuss how they would like to be involved,” said Janet. |
Rotary president Mary Spinks (left) and organiser Janet Perry are seeking gardens to take part in the event next summer.
To find out more please email Maidenhead Rotary Club: contact@maidenheadopengardens.org
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Young photographer competition 2020/2021
Covid-19 and the subsequent lockdowns have provoked many of us into looking at and appreciating nature more intently. The theme of the competition this year is ‘Wild Nature’ and we invite young people under the age of 18 as at 31st August 2020 to capture their viewpoint in photographs. Rotary must receive your submissions by 26th February 2021.
What is Rotary?
About Rotary
Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members in more than 35,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves the lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world.
Our weekly meetings are a great way to keep in touch with what's happening in our local area and further afield and also catch up with friends and contacts. We welcome visitors and new members to our meetings - as a Rotarian you are welcome at any Rotary meeting anywhere in the world.
Rotary’s motto is “Service Above Self” and it inspires members to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards, and promote good will and peace in the world.
Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members in more than 35,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves the lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world.
Our weekly meetings are a great way to keep in touch with what's happening in our local area and further afield and also catch up with friends and contacts. We welcome visitors and new members to our meetings - as a Rotarian you are welcome at any Rotary meeting anywhere in the world.
Rotary’s motto is “Service Above Self” and it inspires members to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards, and promote good will and peace in the world.
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Helping the local community is one of the primary roles of Rotary and you may have seen Rotarians at work supporting communities without even realising it.
At the Rotary Club of Maidenhead, we take our community service seriously. We always strive to give back to the area in which we work and live. |
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Contact UsIf you're interested in joining our club, want to find out more information or are looking for support for your charity or event please do get in touch.
Tweet us on: @MHeadRotary |
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