Polio Plus
Polio, once a scourge of the world, is now only endemic in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Rotary has played a huge rile in this through its Polio Plus Programme, co-ordinated and organised by the Rotary Foundation. The statistics alone are impressive: Rotary members have contributed more than $2.1 billion and countless volunteer hours to protect nearly 3 billion children in 122 countries from this paralyzing disease; and Rotary’s advocacy efforts have played a role in decisions by governments to contribute more than $10 billion to the effort.
But what is even more impressive is the power of Rotary, the power of individuals in individual clubs across the world working together to make a real difference to the live of others. World Polio Day in October show cased just this.
At our business meeting on the 18th, the club agreed to make a further donation of £1,500 to Rotary Foundation to support its efforts to totally eradicate polio. This money was raised at the Frugal Lunch held last month and at the Race Night (see below) held this November, plus a top up contribution from Club funds. It will be matched by the Bill and Melissa foundation, making a total contribution of £4,500.
Santa Fun Run
As is often the case, the business meeting was a busy night and kicked off with the unveiling (or perhaps un-wrapping) of the banner donated and sponsored by Tincknells of Wells for the up coming Santa Fun Run planned for Sunday 8th Dec. The challenge (which Angela and Michael subsequently took on) is now to hang the banner from the approach bridge on the Wells by pass. Joanna from Tincknells joined us at the meeting to present the beast. Winston’s Wish, the charity supporting bereaved children, will be the main beneficiary of funds raised at the event.
St John’s Ambulance
At the same business meeting representatives of St John’s Ambulance in Wells and the local high street businesses that had supported the club’s ‘First Aid on the High Street’ project joined us for an update on the project and to receive their first aid packs. Angela led this part of the meeting which concluded with her presenting a cheque to the representatives from St John’s for £5,000. A magnificent donation: the credit for the vision, energy and leadership of this project goes very much to Angela and in no small way to Richard, who ably supported her on their sponsored bike ride last summer.
Ringing for Wells
We were joined at The Crown at our first meeting in the month on the 4th by Len Swales, Wells’ Town Crier. What a wonderful evening of fellowship and, to add a little icing to the cake, a captivating speaker. Sadly, Len is retiring next year and is casting his eye around for a successor – no body looks to have volunteered from within the club!!!!
At the same meeting another new members joined our ranks with Angela welcoming Shelley to the fold.
Racing Colours & Skittles
Held at Wells Museum the BYO horse race night was a sell out with plenty of enthusiastic backing for riders and horses not to mention some reckless, even wild bidding at auction for ownership of the horses. Great fun, but best of all close on £1,000 was raised for Rotary Foundation.
Our thanks go to the five families that sponsored the races; it was a shame not all could be there on the night though due to grand parenting challenges. However, the biggest thanks though go to John Cricket who organised the racing and served as race marshal all night.
Extra shots:
Final Score - skittles on November 25
Another fun evening followed at the end of the month when John Lover set up a challenge skittles match at the Venue Club, between the Club and Wells WI (whose players were mixed together to make up each team).
'In It to Win It' beat 'Here for the Beer' by a narrow margin.
and last but by no means least
November saw the annual remembrance ceremony at St Cuthbert’s. Led by Mayor Jasmine, we joined other local organisations including the British Legion, to lay a wreath at the memorial dedicated to those who sacrificed all for our freedom.
'What We Do' Main Pages:
Our efforts as a Club towards making a difference by supporting local and international good causes came into sharp focus in November.
moreThe 2025 theme is ‘Wonderful Water’. Just let your imagination fly and interpret it as broadly as you wish. Show your creative talent in sharing what this Theme means to you.
moreTo find our further detail on meetings and events please contact club President Angela
moreOctober was quite a quiet month by recent standards for the club, that said though looking back across our diaries in addition to our normal routine gatherings there were quite a few project planning meetings looking forward into 2025
moreConscious of the need for rapid access to defibrillators following a coronary event, Wells Rotary has been working to make these life-saving machines available to the public at all times. It is an ongoing project.
moreHeld annually in the Bishop's Palace gardens in the centre of Wells, the Wells Charity Boules Tournament is a fun event for all of the family.
moreEach week a team of listeners goes to St Cuthbert’s Primary School to listen to children read. It is so rewarding to see the positive impact on the children’s reading skills.
moreHelping the blind and partially sighted
moreRotary District 1200 comprises Wells Rotary along with the other rotary clubs of Somerset, West Wilts and West Dorset. Circa 1200 is our district news sheet. Follow the link below to Circa 1200 to see what is going on across Somerset
moreRotary in Wells is part of the global Rotary International, working with other clubs to eradicate polio, to help with other natural disasters, and to help those less fortunate than ourselves elsewhere in the world
moreA busy month but with some disappointment
moreJune was the last month with President Angela in the chair and still the heart and soul of the club.
moreRotaKids Success
moreQuiet but Nevertheless busy Months
moreWhat a great thing to do: collecting around 120 trees and raising funds for St. Margaret’s Hospice.
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