President Martin’s Comments:

I always find January a difficult month; however, the programme team have delivered a bright, cheerful, and entertaining set of meetings that have ushered in the new year convivially. Thank you to them!

So, looking back at the past month...

We started the year on 6^th January when, for the second year running, we had to alter the Bird / Weedon production: our January walk around Quorn. In 2025 it was flooding; this year Jack Frost conspired to force us, following a risk assessment, to cancel the walking part. Nevertheless, we still had our meal at the Quorndon Fox. The staff looked after us very well, the food was good, the company even better. The level of noise in the side room there was indicative that people were enjoying themselves. Thank you to Susan Bird for booking the venue and walking the route.

I was delighted to again represent the club at Loughborough Inner Wheel’s Charter event on the 12^th January; it was pleasing to note that a number of our members also attended. It was a lovely event with interesting speakers (the main speaker was Jess Jenkins with a fascinating account of Leicestershire Suffragettes). LGC presented a great meal supported by good service. An all-round magnificent event.

I found this talk particularly interesting (and I think many others as well); we were captivated by the speaker’s enthusiasm for his topic. Many thanks to John Graham for making sure everyone got a copy of their booklet. It was also good to see many friends of Rotary and partners at this event.

The 20^th saw us holding a joint meeting at lunchtime to host DG Moira Penney.

It was an honour to be able to represent the Club in highlighting what magnificent work you all do. It amazes me that, at the halfway point in the year, we have collectively put in close to 1000 hours of good works and raised significant sums of money. When I looked around the room, I could link everyone there to having contributed or led a task. Thank you to you all. In this respect, thanks also to Ian for collating hours booked against projects. DG Moira and Steve Howe took on board all that you are doing. DG Moira was able to update us on issues within district as well as the upcoming Expo at Loughborough University (Ian S and Graham M will represent the club at this event).

The 27^th saw our reconvened SGM meeting. I am pleased to report that the club was able to accept the trustees report and select three new trustees to replace Rosemary Adams and John Carlisle who, at the end of the Rotary year, will have completed their three-year term as trustees. Many thanks to both of them. However, we are still short of candidates for President for 27/28 and other roles. Attendance could have been better for what is a key Rotary meeting; nevertheless, a big thank you to all those who attended on a dark, wet and cold January night. This was followed by a “More than / Less than” quiz led by Neil.

Congratulations to Lawrence, who writes that he is now a co-opted member of the ESRAG (RGBI branch) board.

Please take time to contact fellow Rotarians and their partners if we have not seen them for a while: unfortunately, we do have a few people who are experiencing challenging times right now. Thank you to those who share this information with us: it does help the club to respond. For those who prefer to stay off the radar, the club also respects your wishes, but please recognise we are ready to step up and help if we can.

As always, we are heading into a very busy second half of the year please: do your best to support.

Looking ahead, here are some of our Programme highlights ..

Our next meeting on 3^rd February (7 for 7:30pm) sees us once again at Eastern Spice, Leicester Rd, Loughborough for a fine Indian feast. Please note that this is a Partners and Friends evening and is also a fund-raising evening. It’s not too late to book via John Graham. 

10^th February – we are back to Longcliffe but please note a late rescheduling: Bruce Eastman has kindly brought forward his introduction to Morris Dancing, due to Carl Hughes no longer being available then. Carl’s talk is being scheduled for a later date (please note it will be at lunchtime: 12.30). 

17^th February – at our usual time of 7.30pm (not 12.30pm as previously advertised) we will hear Julie Bradshaw MBE on “The legendary Loch Nessie – a monstrous swim”

20^th February (Friday) – please do support Inner Wheel’s Shanty Folk evening at Longcliffe. All the proceeds will go to the Home Starter Box project, which, despite growing demand this year, has experienced reduced funding. Details below.

24^th February – we are looking forward to hearing about a game which is very popular with our Loughborough Impact Group – “Stop the Bus”.  We get to play it and David Hollins will lead us through it.  No boots or kit or equipment needed! Should be a lot of fun.

3^rd March – (to be confirmed) we are hoping it will be the Manager of Waitrose in Mountsorrel who will talk about how the shop operates.

10^th March – a special opportunity to hear from Tom Adams about what it is like to be the “Man from the Foreign Office” in Mali in Africa.

Still to come – Caring for war graves, South American Food and Wine Tasting, a visit from The Mayor, Morris Dancing, the University sculpture walk, Charter and more.

OUR COMBINED PROGRAMME - and other important dates - FOR FEBRUARY 2026 —and beyond:

(NB: some of the later dates are provisional or details may change – do check the Wiki for up-to-date information)

3rd Feb 7 for 7.30pm Dinner at Eastern Spice (booking through John Graham) RCLB 76 Leicester Rd, Loughborough, LE11 2AG

4th Feb (Wed) 1pm Charnwood Talking News RCLB at Sue Easton’s house, Wymeswold.

10th Feb 12 for 12.30pm Morris Dancing with Bruce Eastman RCLB Longcliffe Golf Club

17th Feb (Note change of time) 7 for 7.30pm The Legendary Loch Nessie – a Monstrous Swim! - Julie Bradshaw RCLB Longcliffe Golf Club

20th Feb (Fri) 7.30pm Shanty Folk – an evening of song and food Inner Wheel Longcliffe Golf Club

24th Feb 12 for 12.30pm “Stop the Bus” with David Hollins RCLB Longcliffe Golf Club

And a look forward to March ...

3rd Mar 7 for 7.30pm Managing Waitrose RCLB Longcliffe Golf Club

10th Mar 7 for 7.30pm The Foreign Office in Mali – a talk by Tom Adams RCLB Longcliffe Golf Club

17th Mar 7 for 7.30pm War Graves – a talk by Ivor Woods RCLB Longcliffe Golf Club

18th Mar (Wed) 2pm Charnwood Talking News RCLB at Sue Easton’s house, Wymeswold.

24th Mar 7 for 7.30pm Wines and Food of South America – hosted by Garner Roberts RCLB Longcliffe Golf Club

31st Mar 7 for 7.30pm A visit from the Mayor of Charnwood RCLB Longcliffe Golf Club

Still to come before the end of the Rotary year ...

8th Apr (Wed) 2pm Charnwood Talking News RCLB at Sue Easton’s house, Wymeswold.

14th Apr 7 for 7.30pm TBC – possibly Andy Reed RCLB Longcliffe Golf Club

21st Apr 7 for 7.30pm Carl Hughes Driver Training – Carl Hughes RCLB Longcliffe Golf Club

28th Apr 7 for 7.30pm Plant Sale Organisation – led by Andy Perkins RCLB Longcliffe Golf Club

29th Apr (Wed) 2pm Charnwood Talking News RCLB at Sue Easton’s house, Wymeswold.

11th – 15th May 2026 PLANT SALE WEEK – this year based at Ridgewold Farm, Wymeswold

12th May 7 for 7.30pm AGM& Planning meeting RCLB Longcliffe Golf Club

19th May 7 for 7.30pm University Sculpture Walk – led by Neil Rowbotham RCLB Longcliffe Golf Club or Toby Carvery

16th May (Sat) am District Assembly Loughborough University

23rd May (Sat) C4K Fundraiser, “Mac the Knife” NSC Arena, Belton Rd

2nd June 7 for 7.30pm 2025/26 Charter Evening hosted by Roger Williams RCLB Longcliffe Golf Club

9th June 7 for 7.30pm Club Assembly for 2026/27 RCLB Longcliffe Golf Club

15th June (Mon) Golf Day organised by Garner Roberts RCLB Longcliffe Golf Club

23rd June 7 for 7.30pm Canal Boat Cruise to Zouch organised by Neil Rowbotham RCLB Longcliffe Golf Club

30th June 7 for 7.30pm Handover RCLB Longcliffe Golf Club

1st July (Wed) “Lifting the Lid” Concert

Welcome to February’s Impact Group newsletter. Here is a round-up of events from 
January and dates for your diary. 
.
DG Moira Penney with President Martin Weedon
Loughborough Impact Group members and RC of Loughborough Beacon joined together 
for a lunchtime meeting on 20th January to welcome DG Moira Penney. The work of the 
Club was shared, especially that of Home Starter Boxes and Coats 4 Kids as well as 
upcoming events including the annual Plant Sale and the ‘Raising the Roof’ concert in 
the summer. DG Moira gave an update on what has been happening within District as 
well as the Expo at Loughborough University this month.
 

Congratulations to the Home Starter Box team 
on being nominated for The King’s Award for 
Voluntary Service. The team was interviewed
on 20th January by representatives of the King’s 
Award who asked many questions about the 
scheme. The award recognises and celebrates 
the outstanding contributions of local 
volunteer groups across the UK. To be put 
forward for such a prestigious award is 
wonderful news and we look forward to hearing 
of how the nomination progresses.
 

The reconvened RC of Loughborough Beacon Special General Meeting (SGM) took place 
at Longcliffe on 27th January. The Trustees’ Report was accepted and new trustees were 
selected to replace those who will have completed their three-year term at the end of 
the Rotary year. There are still vacancies for various roles, including President, for 
2027/2028. Neil Rowbotham rounded off the evening with his ‘More or Less’ quiz which 
made for some interesting debate!
Other news...
Ros and Diane continue to represent LIG at the monthly Council meetings. If there is anything that 
you would like them to raise at the meetings, please get in touch.
Home Starter Boxes have just packed boxes 651 – 660. Demand for HSB continues to be high.
The Coats 4 Kids team received a grant of £3000 via the Leicestershire and Rutland Community 
Foundation in December and have used this to fund 120 brand new coats for primary school pupils 
in Charnwood. Schools report that the children are delighted with their new, warm, cosy coats.

Dates for your diary…
3rd February: LIG lunchtime meeting at Longcliffe Golf Club. 12 noon for 12:30pm.
10th February: please note that Carl Hughes has had to postpone his talk.
17th February: LIG lunchtime meeting and informal ‘More or Less’ Quiz at Longcliffe 
Golf Club. 12 noon for 12:30pm.
20th February: Loughborough Inner Wheel Shanty Folk evening at Longcliffe Golf 
Club. 7:30pm. See flier below.
24th February: Extra lunchtime meeting with Beacon at Longcliffe Golf Club. David 
Hollins presents ‘Stop the Bus’. 12 noon for 12:30pm.
3rd March: LIG lunchtime meeting at Longcliffe Golf Club. 12 noon for 12:30pm.
17th March: LIG lunchtime meeting at Longcliffe Golf Club. 12 noon for 12:30pm.

Charnwood Talking News 2026
Sessions will be held on:
Wednesday 25th February
Wednesday 15th April
Wednesday 27th May
Wednesday 8th July
Wednesday 19th August
Wednesday 23rd September
Wednesday 11th November
Please look out for an email from Andy J with further details nearer to each date