Spreading the Word

As a member of District 1200, Wells Rotary is in the privileged position of being able to engage with close on 50 other like-minded Rotary clubs local to Somerset, Dorset and Wilts. The many and varied Rotary-supported projects are one of the many differentials between Rotary and the other service organisations in our community. Led by Alan and John we made a presentation at the District Forum last month to encourage other clubs to participate in this year’s Christmas Tree Project. Next month will see us following up with a presentation to District on the proposed Dairy House project, with the aim of garnering support from other clubs in the Mendip area.

Coming Clean

Mike Kelly, ex British Airways environment exec, was our guest speaker at The Crown at the start of the month. The subject of his address, "Coming Clean", was a fascinating trip behind the scenes on all the challenges a major airline faces in delivering thousands of meals on a daily basis across the globe.

Wandering through a far from ordinary career, Mike kept us enraptured with memories of infectious diseases, African guerilla freedom fighters, leopards on the porch, delivering a baby during Sunday lunch, chickens and fleas in London suburbs, a food poisoning outbreak on a major airline, a body in an aircraft hold, rats and mice in aircraft, legal proceedings in the USA and much more.

Mike’s ex-colleague and club member David introduced Mike, and Alan, who chaired the evening, gave the vote of thanks. We didn’t take a straw poll, but had we so done very likely all present, based on what Mike told us, would have confirmed that they’d still be very happy dining at 20,000 feet above the Earth.

Recognition

A small group from the club joined the Lions at the Bishop's Palace for the Moat Boat Race awards. To our surprise our efforts in supporting the stewarding team were recognised when we were awarded the cup for best supporting organisation.

Skateboarding

At our meeting on the third Monday in the month with members duly reconvened at the Museum, following on from the Committee meetings, Louis Agabani updated us on the plans for the new Wells Skateboard park. Louis is this year’s Mayor and has adopted the project as the Mayor’s project for 25/26.

The pictures below illustrate all too vividly the contrast between the vision for a new park and the current park. Nothing comes cheaply, though; the target is to raise over £300K with close on £200K already secured through grants, sponsorships, community fundraising, and an ongoing crowdfunder; Louis’ dream is fast becoming reality. The social and health benefits to young people (and dare we say a few not so young) will be immense and as such it is a project that the club is happy to support. Given the ongoing support Louis is getting from local businesses, local celebrities and the community as a whole, we might well see the first shovels in the ground by Spring 2026.