Christmas Dinner & New Member Induction

A large gathering of Rotarians and guests enjoyed the annual Christmas Dinner which was made more special by the induction of Christine Laming and the award of the Moulsdale Trophy to Eddie Doody

A large gathering of Rotarians, members of Inner Wheel, guests and visitors attend the Christmas Dinner on Tuesday 11th December 2012 at St Augustine's, Westgate-on-Sea.

After a splendid meal, the highlights of the evening were the induction of Christine Laming as a new member of the Club and the presentation of the John Moulsdale Trophy to Rotarian Eddie Doody in recognition of his outstanding service to the Club, particularly as Dining Steward.

President Chris Hedges welcomes Rotarian Christine Laming to the Club.

Christine is the Business Manager at The Foreland School and was proposed for membership by Rotarian Mick Stokes. The Club has enjoyed a close relationship with the Foreland School in recent years, funding a number of projects to improve the educational environment for the children.

President Chris Hedges presents the John Moulsdale Trophy to Rotarian Eddie Doody.

Eddie has been Dining Steward for the Club for many years and his dedicated hard work behind the scenes, ensuring that every meal, whether it be a regular Club Meeting or a major event with hundreds of guests, is minutely organised and immaculately served. Eddie joins an illustrious band of Rotarians who have been honoured to receive the trophy which is awarded in memory of the founding President of the Club, John Moulsdale.

Once the formal business had been concluded, members and guests let their hair down and participated in an interactive "Noisy Nativity Story", complete with musical instruments and sound effects, led by members of the Inner Wheel Club. There was much banging of drums, shaking of maracas and braying of "eee-aw"!

The evening concluded in the traditional way with lusty carol singing. Excellent soloists were persuaded to lead "We three Kings" and there was the usual, riotous rendition of "The 12 days of Christmas" and "We wish you a Merry Christmas!"

'What We Do' Main Pages:

Community Service

Community Service Committee is responsible for organising fund-raising and social events, community service projects and recommending payments to external charities.

Website

Chris Hedges updates the website on a regular basis.

Youth & Vocational

The Rotary Clubs of Thanet are committed to providing opportunities and support for young people.

Successful RYLA candidates,Elizabeth Irvine and Emily Robertson report on their experiences at the Arethusa Venture Centre

House

Mick Stokes is our Dining Steward and is charge of arranging our venues and gourmet refreshment.

Adrian Bawtree, Tessa Read, Roger Newman MBE, Chris Hedges, Derek Brown & Richard Parkin

A "Sing For Your Life" "MUSIC BOX" has been handed over to East Kent Independent Dementia Support (EKIDS). From left: Adrian Bawtree, Tessa Read, Roger Newman MBE, Chris Hedges, Derek Brown & Richard Parkin

Foundation

The Foundation Committee seeks to raise awareness of Rotary's own Charity, THE ROTARY FOUNDATION, and organise events to raise funds for the projects undertaken by the Rotary Foundation.

President Chris & Hazel Hedges visited the Rotary Club of Temecula, California

Sergeant at Arms

Mike O'Toole is our Sergeant-at-Arms

International

The International Committee is responsible for coordinating the Contact Club arrangements with the Rotary Club of Poitiers Futuroscope and the Rotary Club of Darmstadt Kranichstein. The Committee also seeks to support overseas charities with fundraising

Membership

We are always delighted to welcome guests to our meetings who may be considering joining the Rotary Family. Please contact our Secretary, Dave Alker to enquire about booking in.

Banner of the Rotary Club of Westwood Village, Los Angeles

President Chris & Hazel Hedges paid a visit to the Rotary Club of Westwood Village, Los Angeles

Westgate and Birchington Rotary Club Funds Improvements at Christ Church Community Hall in Westgate

Club Council

Club Council normally meets on the last Monday of every month at Church House, Birchington at 7.00 pm.

CLUB NEWS AND ACTIVITIES

Here is an archive of news and activities over the last 10 years

Inner Wheel Club

The Inner Wheel Club of Westgate & Birchington is a close member of our Rotary family. Its members are predominently relations of Rotarians but membership is open to any lady who is sponsored by an exisiting member.

CHARITIES WE HAVE SUPPORTED

In recent years we have supported a wide range of local, national and international charities

Ian Sharpe & Victoria Lawrence dance the Foxtrot

The "Strictly Come Rotary" Dance Competition was staged on Saturday 13th April 2013 at The Winter Gardens in aid of "Alfie's Trust"

The winners of the Young Photographer Competition were presented with their awards by the Editor of The Isle of Thanet Gazette, Rebecca Smith

President-Elect Tony Orpwood & Christine; President Chris Hedges & Hazel; Assistant Governor Jan Dash; Past President John Hawkins & Margaret

A superb FUN, FELLOWSHIP & FOUNDATION Conference in Lille!

YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHER COMPETITION 2014

An excellent portfolio of entries was received from competitors in the 2014 Young Photographer Competition. Very well done!

A Musical Soiree was held in the Chapel at St Augustine's to raise funds for the charity "Sing For Your Life"

To coincide with St Valentine's Day, an "Italian Masked Ball" was held in Kearns Hall.

Communications

The good news is YOU ARE ON OUR WEBSITE!! Please visit it regularly to find news of our latest efforts to serve our community. MEMBERS - PLEASE CHECK THE HOME PAGE EACH WEEK!!!

Sheila Minhinick, RIBI President John Minhinick, Hazel Hedges, President Chris Hedges, Sheila Grainger, District Governor Stewart Grainger

RIBI President John Minhinick and his wife Sheila attended a Dinner and Presentations for Rotarians in East Kent on Tuesday 4th September 2012

A Tour of the Cape Wine-lands

Memebers enjoyed a comprehensive wine tasting experience and dined in style.

Rotary Schools Prom 2013

The Joint Rotary Clubs of Thanet together with Kent Music presented the seventh annual Schools Prom at The Winter Gardens, Margate

Christmas Collections & Events

Santa's coming!! He'll be coming to a street near you in December" PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY TO SUPPORT OUR CHARITIES!!

Rotarians from Darmstadt-Kranichstein, Poitiers-Futuroscope and Westgate & Birchington in Auerbach Keller, Leipzig

A party of Club Members and their partners travelled to Leipzig for the annual Contact Club Reunion with the Rotary Clubs of Darmstadt-Kranichstein and Poitiers-Futuroscope

Chris Hedges's President's Night Dinner Dance was held on Friday 7th June 2013 at St Augustine's, Westgate-on-Sea

Members constructed a raised garden area for the students at the Hearing-Impaired Unit with matched funding gained from a District Grant of $1000.

President Tony prresented cheques to the Woodford Foundation and "Blood Runners"

Following the successful bid for a District Grant, a Sensory Garden, adjacent to the Hearing Impaired Unit at Hartsdown Academy, was constructed by Rotarians. The "Oasis" was formally opened by Past President Chris Hedges on Friday 27th September

Sport

The Club enjoys a number of sporting activities in conjunction with other Rotary Clubs, including Bowls and Golf competitions. The Sports Coordinator is John Hawkins.

Shop

Rotarian Allan Harris is our Club shop manager and arranges for members to purchase Rotary regalia, clothing and jewellery.

The children at St Crispin's School, Westgate-on-Sea, filled seven Aquaboxes.

President Chris & Hazel paid a visit to the Rotary Club of Beverly Hills.

Christmas Dinner & New Member Induction

A large gathering of Rotarians and guests enjoyed the annual Christmas Dinner which was made more special by the induction of Christine Laming and the award of the Moulsdale Trophy to Eddie Doody

A party of Rotarians and members of Inner Wheel attended Evensong "Celebrating Rotary" in Rochester Cathedral on Sunday 17th February 2013