Community & Vocational Services

One of the commitments of our Club is to attend the various needs of people less fortunate, who by circumstance beyond their control, are unable to enjoy the social benefits of normal life. We are particularly keen to provide facilities that enable the elderly to enjoy entertainment otherwise not available. (The picture above shows one of our Senior Guests’ Parties.) The Club supports various local charities.

Senior Guests’ Summer Party

We welcomed 23 senior citizens to our annual Senior Guests’ Summer Party on 24 June 2023. It was held as usual in the Chelmsford Cathedral Chapter House. Various Club members picked up those guests who needed lifts and took them home again afterwards. Other members were on duty in the Chapter House itself to set up, greet and serve the guests and clear up at the end.

As each guest arrived we made sure they were comfortably seated at one of the tables and gave them a glass of a drink we made ourselves by putting fresh strawberries in a jug and topping it up with lemonade. We did originally add an elderflower cordial but decided that made the drink too sweet.

Entertainment was provided by Steve Moriaty and his daughter Pippa, who sang songs that would have been familiar to our guests. One guest did ask whether they were husband and wife, much to the chagrin of Anne Moriaty, Steve’s wife and Pippa’s mother.

After the guests had enjoyed a selection of services Steve and Pippa took a break while Francis Whitbread conducted a quiz. That was narrowly won by two ladies from South Woodham Ferrers, although admittedly two Rotarians joined them for the quiz because their team was so small.

It was then time for cakes and more songs, ending with a rousing rendition of “We’ll Meet Again”, in which Rotarians and guests joined with gusto.