Community & vocation

The first day of the new century of Rotary started in a big way with our Centenary Charity Ball attended by District Governor Nan, the Mayor & Mayoress of Rushmoor and over two hundred guests, a fabulous time was had by all and £4500 was raised for the following charities, our two local Children's Hospices, Naomi House and Chase, the Bali Bikes Project, and a Water Project in Africa.

A colourful floral display in the shape of the Rotary badge was planted in the grounds of the Princes Hall, to mark the 100th birthday of Rotary by Rushmoor Borough Council. This provided an ideal photo opportunity for the visit of District Governor Nan McCreadie early in the Rotary year.

Community support is always very important to us and we were very pleased to receive a donation from St John's Church in Farncombe, sufficient to buy five shelterboxes which were sent out to provide temporary housing following the Pakistan earthquake. They also donated money in support of our fishing boat project in Southern India following the tsunami. The proceeds of a concert by the Hart Male Voice Choir organised by Rtn. Pat Blake, which was held in the church formed part of their donation. We hope to name two of the boats St John's and Farncombe in recognition of their efforts.

This year's Christmas Float collection raised over £9,000, thanks to the generosity of the people of Aldershot. The list below shows recipients of £8,400 of the proceeds, we carry a little over each year for good causes that come up during the year (which almost all been expended this year already).

Parent's Action Group for special needs children, Air Cadets, Aldershot Link Chernobyl Children, Aldershot Music Festival, Badshot Lea School Disabled Unit, Aldershot Scouts, CAB, Chase, Woodlarks Workshop, Disabled Riding School, Emmaus, Pupil of VIth Form College to help in schools in South Africa, Home Start, Inner Wheel (for their charities), Macular Disease Support Group, Mencap, Phyllis Tuckwell, Samaritans, Rushmoor Rotary (for their charities), Deaf Plus, Vine Drop-in Centre, Life Education Hampshire, Evergreen Club, Aldershot Blind Club, The Elders Club.

We will be out and about again this Christmas with our decorated Christmas Float and look forward to the welcome we have come to expect from the generous people of the town

The 100th anniversary of the Rotary movement has been encapsulated in a unique monument in Aldershot's Princes Gardens. To mark the centenary, Aldershot MP Gerald Howarth unveiled the Rotary wheel which is mounted on a blue pearl granite plinth, also present was the Mayor of Rushmoor Councillor John Marsh. The cast iron gear wheel dates back close to the date of the foundation of Rotary, it was discovered and refurbished by Rtn Keith Harding, the plinth was donated by Rtn Tony Mears.

In March we hosted RIBI President Mike Webb and DG Nan McCreadie to lunch, Mike was on a two day visit to our district visiting various clubs and assessing the situation of ongoing projects. Another photo opportunity, this time at the monument in the rain.

This year our Club hosted two rounds and a semi final of the district Youth Speaks competition, the first in Rushmoor Borough Council Chambers and others at Princes Hall, One of our local school form Hawley Place got through to the final at New Malden.

We also hosted the first round of the Young Chef competition, our entrant from Aldershot was Jack Wilkinson who with additional tutoring from the Army Catering Corps. progressed through to the national finals.

Kids Out will be takes place every year in June when about 600 disadvantaged and special needs children have a Fun Day out at the Aldershot Rugby Stadium where a funfair theme keeps them and their carers occupied from 10 until 3pm, lunch and drinks are supplied for them all. This event is organised jointly by several Rotary Clubs from the area and the children are brought in by coach.