Meadowside redevelopment progress

RCNA organised the securing and payment of a replacement fence at the bottom of the garden at Meadowside Residential home as the original was destroyed during the winter bad weather.

The fence is essential for the security and privacy for the home. Rotarians Philip Bearne and Keith Smith led the project supported by a number of Rotarians. Despite the challenges of the pandemic as soon as rules on social distancing were relaxed the Rotarians sprung into action!

The Rotary Club were helped by Vicky Wilkinson of Bradfords Building supplies who supplied and delivered the materials at cost price.

Become a friend of our friend!

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RCNA signs 'Plastic Free Pledge'

Plastics are durable, strong and long-lasting; great qualities until you realise they will last approximately 600 years in our oceans!

The Plastic Free Pledge aims to "put an end to the senseless waste that is single-use plastic ... through campaigning, education and political lobbying ... to create institutional change and put an end to this growing problem".

In both Club duties and personal responsibility our members will help to support these aims by using the following mandate developed by the PFP:

1) Remove at least three single-use plastic items from our day-to-day activities 
2) Commit to include our stance on single-use plastic in communications and publicity
3) Raise awareness and support plastic-free initiatives in our community 

We (and you!) can do this by:

• having milk delivered in reusable glass bottles (especially useful during lockdown)
• supporting local plastic-free committed businesses e.g. Riverford Farm (www.riverford.co.uk)
• re-using your own bottle / giving up bottled water
• saying 'no thanks' to plastic cutlery
• avoiding use of plastic straws - they suck!
• ditching the cling wrap (perhaps use beeswax or re-sealable alternatives)
• reducing use of teabags (loose tea or some producers are plastic free – but most are not)
• giving up chewing gum
• abandoning glitter - the one member of the party that NEVER leaves!
• not replacing Christmas wrapping – choose paper or re-usable alternatives, get creative without sticky tape 
• shopping locally and avoiding packaged produce where safe and available e.g. fresh bread and greengrocery in paper bags
• ensuring you utilise re-usable items whenever possible:
• coffee mugs (once allowed again)
• shopping bags
• upcycling e.g. re-using bread bags for bathroom bin liners

Gardening volunteers return to Meadowside

Rotary Clubs' walks in support of DevonMind to go ahead

Thanks to the end of lockdown and our move into the new Covid Tier System, Rotary clubs from across Devon are able to meet up (still socialy distanced of course!) to maintain a schedule of coastal walks in support of www.devonmind.com.

The first walk is on the 11th December from Brixham to Torquay Harbour (8.5 miles). There will be a few ups and downs as well as lovely coves and beaches and with plenty of chances for coffee and cake breaks!

RCNA thanked for local support

President praises members for Newton Abbot gardening 'team effort'

RCNA President Phil Millichap thanked members Jacky, Nick, Nick, Kieth, Tony and Ron for using a very seasonable day to spend time cleaning up and gardening at the Newton Abbot Quay.

He said; "This hardworking Team of volunteers have transformed the place and there was lots of fantastic support from the many people enjoying the good weather and the Quay" adding that Rotary had been promoted by these volunteers in a "fantastically positive way".

There are some fantastic pictures of their efforts but of course, you can always go and see for yourself!