We were delighted to welcome Prof Roger Clough to our evening meeting on 29^th October at The Rutland Arms, Bakewell for a very stimulating presentation and discussion based on his book Oldenland – how to grow old gracefully, understand others and enjoy your later years! Roger is a retired academic from Lancaster University who has written numerous books on ageing and social care – and widely spoken publicly – and this year on radio 4 and at the annual Buxton Festival at the Opera House.

L to R - Prof Roger Clough with Rotary members Margie Stuckey and Dr John Burn

24th October - World Polio Day 

Bakewell Rotary have purchased and received 4,000 crocus bulbs which are being donated to local schools and community projects ahead of Rotary initiatives worldwide to eradicate polio – with substantial financial support for many years from the Bill Gates Foundation. Recipients include All Saints Church Curbar, Baslow Garden Society, Calver village, Darley Dale community, and Great Longstone primary school.
Looking ahead……………..
We have various activities in the pipeline including Aquabox HQ visit in Cromford, support for Remembrance Day, Bakewell church annual tree festival, Christmas; Santa events at ALDI, annual senior’s Xmas lunch; panto visit – and hopefully another Quiz Night!!

If you would like to find out more about Rotary and its work in Bakewell; surrounding areas - contact Membership chair Ann Esders aesders@aol.com or (M) 07967 665580.

Repair Café Scores Another Resounding Success

Another very convivial and lively morning with nearly 20 items brought in for repairs - We had a bike in for Keith to service and brought a very ancient sewing machine back into service and declared electrically safe! We had the usual array of electrical repairs – some repairable including a lawnmower, steam cleaner and hedge trimmer – but others suffering planned obsolescence! Several clocks were fixed but not a radio which only plays R3!!

There were many kind words from those attending - several commented brilliant service, very happy with repairs - and several on the availability and extent of expertise - one had come all the way from Matlock and said nothing like this available there!
The next café - Methodist Church Hall, Bakewell, Saturday 29^th November,10-12.30

   More details or to offer support contact Margie on 01629 813638 or 07947 645331

President’s Charity presentation to Ashgate Hospice

John Craike made a presentation of £500 to Adele Taylor from Ashgate Hospice as the charity had been chosen for his presidential year 2024/25. Adele joined our meeting at The Rutland Arms, Bakewell on 20^th August to update us on the charity – which is ever more reliant on fund-raising as public funding has decreased. Only 15 of the 21 available beds are currently in use. Adele’s late husband and father both spent their last days at the hospice – and she, along with her mother and children are part of the sponsored Ashgate skydive on Saturday 6^th September.  https://www.justgiving.com/page/teamvardytaylor

Baslow Village Hall Floor refurbishment

The Village Hall in Baslow was another recipient of the latest round of Rotary Bakewell’s community grant scheme– with a £500 contribution made towards the repairs to the hall floor damage following the floods last year – now fully back to mint condition.  The cheque presentation was at the Hall on Thursday 24^th July.

Rotary Bakewell "Brass in the Park"

The annual excursion to Carsington Sailing Club was on 11 th June for the Fun Day Sailability with some 15 pupils from Lady Manners’ School in Bakewell in our club boats. 

Rotary Bakewell supports Sheffield Children’s Hospital Cancer patients!

Stephanie McCawley from the Give A Duck Foundation charity attended our bi-monthly Repair Café at Bakewell Methodist Church Hall on Saturday 31^st May.  The club presented Stephanie with a £250 cheque which will enable them to supply Sheffield Children's Hospital with 10 Chemo Ducks for the next children who have been diagnosed and requiring treatment for their cancer.

Huge thanks to the Rotary and community volunteers that were at the Repair café – and we managed to work on 17 repairs, the bulk of which were happily resolved.  Repairs included a box lid, a broken drawer handle, knives were sharpened, and one lamp and clock were fixed. Two bicycles were repaired, and the sewing group was busy with an overlocker and sewing machine as well as a few other repairs.