What we did in 2022/2023

The Club’s "Christmas Tree and Daffodil horticulturist", Terry Williams, took on the Presidential role for the second time.  His Christmas tree sales raised £1,080 which was donated to the Swindon Downs Syndrome group in support of their speech therapy work for children.  In the Spring, Terry’s daffodil sales brought in £1,180 which was sent to ShelterBox for their relief work in the Turkish/Syrian earthquake disaster areas.  

Terry’s family put on a classical concert at Highworth Methodist Church. That raised £1,300 which was also donated to the Swindon Downs Syndrome Group.

Amongst other Fundraising projects undertaken was the Christmas Sleigh collection in the run up to the festive season. Held at Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and the ASDA West Swindon centre, collections amounted to £5,600 plus.  

The money raised was distributed to local charities at a special presentation meeting in May.  They were NSPCC Swindon, Parkies singers, Recycles, Swindon Young Carers, Swindon Domestic Abuse, Youth Adventure Trust, Wiltshire Treehouse, Gloucester House and Crones & Colitis Research.

Terry expressed his thanks to Rotarians David Dukes, Andy Joyce and Kathy Hobson who between them ensured the lights and music were working properly, the sleigh was towed to and fro each day, and the rota was organised.  Not forgetting all the members who braved the cold and occasionally wet weather by doing 2-hour stints with the collecting buckets. 

The annual Quiz organised with the Inner Wheel Club raised £1,300.  President Terry thanked the organising committee and the ladies of Inner Wheel for providing a ploughman’s supper plus puddings some of which, he said “were to die for!”  Inner Wheel donated their half to Swindon Domestic Abuse and the Club’s half went to Operation Smile.  In fact, it was topped up to £1,500; enough to fund 10 cleft palate operations.  

The Student Chef competition was held once again and attracted an entry of 30 chefs in 15 teams.  The judging panel of four was made up by two professional chefs and two club members.  They had the enviable task of struggling through a 45-dish tasting.

The last fundraising event of the year was the annual Swimathon at Highworth Recreation Centre on 18th June.  It raised £8,910, the most to date, of which £4,670 went to the main beneficiary, SMASH.

Social events held in the year included the annual Weekend Away, this time to the National Space Museum and Planetarium and the Museum of Science & Technology in Leicester; entertainment for members and partners by the Spotlight choir at the Christmas meeting; and the usual Fireside Suppers with lots of good food, wine and fellowship.

A new group, Friends of Rotary, was established. Previous members and people who have a connection with the Club in one way or another were invited to join.  Eleven people accepted the invitation and an E-Newsletter was sent to them monthly.