Our activities
Projects, newsletters.
Rotary in Loughborough is a group dedicated to bringing people together to make a positive impact. Below is a list of our projects and recent newsletters. If you would like more details or clarification, please email us on Contact@BeaconRotary.org
See also our Facebook page
Projects
The club is currently involved in the following projects or with the following groups:
• Home Starter Boxes
- Coats4Kids
- Rotary Stars June 2025
• Two Minute Challenge
• Young Carers
• Charnwood Talking News
• Rotary Service - Food Bank support
• Seagrave Challenge
• Burton Primary School Remembrance Day
• Schools Santa
• Support to East Leake School
• Young Enterprise
• King's Trust
• Humphrey Perkins School
• De Lisle School
• Coaching and Mentoring Loughborough University
Newsletters
President Martin’s Comments:
Here we are, heading rapidly into summer and a new Rotary year. I know President Elect Roger has been busy preparing for the 26/27 Rotary year. Those who have not yet been President should recognise that a lot of work goes into preparing for a presidential year and this typically starts in February. Budget planning and nomination of new team leaders are amongst some of the tasks. I know we will support Roger’s year, and it is important that we all play a role in supporting him, as well as play our part in seeking out new Rotarians to join the club. We also need to make sure we keep those existing Rotarians within the family feeling valued and supported! It is always good if anyone can suggest a speaker as that is at the heart of keeping the club intact.
This is also one of our busiest periods: Plant Sales, Golf Day, two concerts, District Assembly, our own AGM, Assembly and Charter evening plus handover. A lot of work and planning goes into these events over many months.
Being reflective in nature, I have started to look back at my year as Rotary president. It is sobering to reflect that we have seen a total of five either active or very recently former Rotarians move onto higher service. Whilst it is a sad moment, it has been a pleasure to have known and to work alongside these Rotarians: every single one of them gave something back. Thank you is not enough for the work they have undertaken.
Wednesday 29th April 2026 was a sad day, as we said our goodbyes to Rtn John Boyes. As stated in the last VFTB, John will be missed but not forgotten. Thank you to all those who supported Eileen and with car sharing.
A recap on April’s programme:
Now to reflect on April’s programme. A big thank you again to Neil and the team who created a detailed and enjoyable programme. I need to start with our meeting on the 31st March as this was held after the publishing deadline.
31st March: It was a pleasure to welcome Mayor (and former Shepshed Rotarian) David Northage and Mayoress Jenny Northage. The evening was also supported by the previous Mayor and Mayoress the “Julies”, as well as Carol, the Mayors PA. David entertained us with a talk that focused on how he became mayor and some of the events that he has attended. There was the occasional mention of Shepshed in the talk but to para phrase a certain Basil Fawlty “I think he got away with it.”
The President with the Mayor & Mayoress plus “the Julies”
There was no meeting during Easter week, so the next event was on 14th April when the “former” Costa Rican Rotarian, Francesca Smith, delivered a talk on Cost Rica with an update on what the San José RC was doing in the community; it was interesting to see that we were aligned with them on the type of projects in which we both take an interest. Francesca gave us many facts, most of which were previously unknown to us such as that they do not have an army. Her talk was well received. What Francesca did not know whilst delivering her talk is that it was also her Career Talk; at the end of the meeting, I was proud to induct her into RC Loughborough Beacon and hand over her club badge.
Francesca Smith is formally inducted to the club
Francesca has thrown herself into Loughborough Rotary and alongside Susan Bird supported the Rotary East Midlands Disability Games held at Ratcliffe college on April 12th. Susan has sent this report of the event:
“Rotarians from clubs all across the region ran events and provided support for around 150 disabled competitors of all ages. Susan and Francesca represented Loughborough Beacon in a supporting role. Medals and cups were presented for archery, darts, curling, boccia, table tennis, weightlifting, rowing, swimming, basketball, wheelchair slalom and wheelchair dash. It was a very happy occasion, and the competitors clearly had a brilliant day!”
Susan has also provided photos of the event:
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President Martin’s Comments: A recap on May’s programme: When looking at May’s Wiki page, you could be lulled into a false impression that not a lot is happening - but far from it: the eleventh Rotary month of the year is in fact an incredibly challenging one. Firstly, it is one of the Club’s key fundraising periods! I am pleased to inform you that after costs etc have been deducted, you have raised £3,500. This was a record year for our oldest fund-raising project, the Plant Sale. I think people can trace this event back 41 years! However, with this event, it is the sense of belonging to a Rotary Club that is most meaningful. It is fair to say that all members of the RC of Loughborough Beacon including some Impact Group members got involved, even if it is only buying plants. It takes many months of planning without which the final 3 days of frenetic activity would not be possible. I have circulated a thank you note to the club and friends of Rotary. Again, another big thank you to everyone who was involved and especially a big thank you to our customers. In the next few weeks, we will hold some “lessons learnt” workshops (never too old to learn new tricks / ideas). Post this, decisions will be made regarding 2027. Our photo page this month is devoted to the Plant Sale, and there is also an excellent video montage on Instagram made by Susan’s daughter Lizzie. It can be viewed here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYVYXcRI J8_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh= NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== May also sees a lot of preparation for the Golf Day as well. A volunteer page for this has been launched on the Wiki. Please sign up: YOU DO NOT NEED TO KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT GOLF! Please also view it as a potential membership recruitment event: we will have 90+ people signed up to the event – let’s get some of them involved with Rotary! Inner Wheel will also be supporting this event on the day. Club meetings in May are focused on “Club Things.” The 12th May saw a general get together to discuss myriad items but allowed us to focus on preparations for the Plant Sale event. It’s also actually good to just spend time with other Rotarians catching up on life in general. Saturday 16th May was 1070 District Assembly held at Loughborough University. It was one of the better assemblies that I have attended. Those that did not attend, please look to attend the 2027 event. District are trying innovative approaches with, for example, the opportunity to attend two breakout sessions rather than one. Not having the President Elect breakout groups also helped, I think. District Council will rotate around the district rather than, as previously, being held at Greetham Valley. District will also be represented at the Freshers’ week at Loughborough University with AG Diane Esho being the lead for this. The 19th May was our AGM. This is a vital meeting in the club year, as it sets the stall out for the coming Rotary year. Thank you to Neil for returning to the Secretarial role for this event in Graham’s absence (supporting his Young Enterprise team “up north” in a UK final – see below). Treasurer Ian also gave a detailed yet very understandable overview of the current status of our accounts. Both Ian and PE Roger also went on to propose club fees / subscriptions for 26/27. I am pleased to say that these were agreed by the meeting, and you should have an email in your system requesting payment of these. Roger gave a detailed talk regarding his objectives for the upcoming Rotary year as well telling us who the team leads are and who will be Council members. The meeting was quorate and votes were taken on club officers, subscriptions, council members, and trustees etc. (Please review the minutes when issued in the next ten days or so). As we had another bank holiday, there was no meeting on the 26th, though a group of us went to the cinema to see “The Sheep Detectives” followed by a Chinese meal after. These occasional cinema trips are notified via WhatsApp and email and all are welcome! Please note that booking for our Charter Evening closed on the 28th May. Reminder: it is Black Tie and guest speaker is Sara Palmer, Local Radio Presenter, former diplomat and recently with a new skill acquired, being a personal travel agent escorting groups to some exotic destinations! Friendly reminder please: it is important that we update the Wiki with our attendance at club events by 10pm on the Sunday preceding the event. This enables us to give LGC a heads up and allows them to prepare in a timely manner. We managed to cause some confusion on the 19th when they had expected seventeen, but in fact we had nineteen eating…
Thanks for your support! President Martin
Out and about with other members during May: In May, the country celebrated our most famous centenarian. Neil sends a photo of Sue’s son, Nick Easton, who has worked with David Attenborough , in 2012 Helen Wilson sent some pictures of the Meet the Beasts event at Mountfields Lodge Family Hub on May 11th (funded by Rotary). She said “Dr Stuart Wood brought his snake, gecko and creepy crawlies to the Young Carers and SEND groups at the Mountfields Lodge Family Hub. This has become an annual event because the children love it so much. Even the most timid children are handling the beasties by the end of the session!”
Meanwhile, “up north”, on May 19th Graham is pictured with his Young Enterprise team:
He comments: “A number of you had asked how the two Loughborough teams had faired at the YE event in Manchester. Each team won a category award and overall presented very well. However, they did not win the major prize and thus will not be going to Riga in July! Still there is always next year and both teams should be very proud of what they have achieved.” Good News for Home Starter Boxes! Sue Easton reports that she has been successful in 2 recent funding bids: she applied to the St James’s Place Local Impact Fund in February from which she has recently received £3,200. The project was also awarded £3000 from the Garfield Weston Foundation. A bid to Loughborough University was unsuccessful and an outcome is not yet known for the bid to Leics & Rutland Community Fund. Congratulations to Sue!
From Lawrence:
Our next Zoom talk will be held on Thursday 11th June. The speaker will be Professor Ed Hawkins on Climate Change. Ed Hawkins is a climate scientist and professor of climate science at the University of Reading. He earned a PhD in astrophysics in 2003 and has served as a principal research scientist at the National Centre for Atmospheric Science (NCAS). He has contributed to the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) Fifth and Sixth Assessment Reports and has received several accolades for his work, including the RMetS Climate Communication Prize in 2017 and the Royal Society Kavli Medal in 2019. Sounds frightening? Never fear, he can communicate! He was made an MBE for his services to climate science and science communication in 2019 and is the inventor of 'warming stripes' and 'climate spirals'. Zoom link for meeting on Thursday June 11th: Talk to start promptly at 7.30pm https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81482672266? pwd=dqz4m8CaCNqrRYXZ71CbS3Ib1vnRIe. Meeting chat link https://us02web.zoom.us/launch/jc/814826 72266 Meeting ID: 814 8267 2266 Passcode: 683102 Please feel free to pass the link on to anyone who might be interested, especially young people and non-Rotarians.
THE 2026 PLANT SALE.. this month, a selection of images from this event..
OUR COMBINED PROGRAMME - and other important dates - For June 2026 —and beyond: (NB: As always, do check the Wiki for up-to-date information)
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Rotary East Midlands Disability Games
The 21st April saw Rtn Carl Hughes updated us some 19 years later after his first Rotary career talk about his business, Hughes Driver Training Ltd. He actually used a few pictures from that talk regarding HDT in a talk which was informative and yet also fun. The company is now 250+ employees and is UK wide. The big recent development was the new contract covering the training of Army, Airforce and Navy Personnel. Carl gave us a great insight into what is behind an HDT branded lorry that we all see regularly. It was also interesting to learn that they have other brands as part of the group. Thank you again to Carl.
The 28th April was devoted to a discussion regarding Plant Sale preparations. This year we are at a new venue, which will require some flexibility in our approach, as we have less space than in previous years and parking will need to be tightly controlled. We will also look to request that drivers come at a particular time for their deliveries. Thank you to Robert & Ann Waterfall for making their home, Ridgewold Farm on Wymeswold Lane, available to us. Thank you also to Andy Perkins who has been co-ordinating the Plant Sale operation this year. Thanks, too, to Simon Leese for “manning the shop”, as well as to all those of you who have helped in the preparation so far and have promised to help us on the day!
Updating the Wiki
It helps enormously if you update the Wiki as far ahead as possible; some points to note for the near future:
- In addition to the monthly pages, we have a Plant Sale volunteer page and a Charter page which need to be completed separately.
- Please note that the 12th May is our AGM and we need to be quorate: do try to be there!
- Also note the boat trip requires some decisions about options on the night in June’s Wiki page.
- NO MEETINGS for the two Bank Holidays (5th & 26th May).
- Please note that for some months now we have had two wiki pages as the size of a joint page, including impact groups, was not able to be saved. Thank you to Ian and Roger for sorting this issue.
Thank you to those people who have volunteered to mark East Leake Academy scripts and to Bruce Eastman for co-ordinating this event.
Please take a moment to keep Almoner Rosemary up to date with any health issues if you think it appropriate that the club is aware. It was good to see some Rotarians return to Longcliffe over the past few weeks.
Thanks for your support!
President Martin
The very latest news on the Plant Sale from Andy Perkins:
The plant sale week will soon be with us! As I write this, order numbers are above last year’s, and the average order size is greater. Gross income to date is greater than last year’s total.
It is important that everyone fills in the Wiki if they can help; it’s also important for us to ensure that any friends who volunteered in the past are confirmed again for the 14th May. Any new additional volunteers will be more than welcome!
The location this year is at Ridgewold Farm, Wymeswold LE12 6UN. Due to limited parking, it may be that we have to park some cars in the field immediately next to the farm, so drivers would only come onto the farm at a time when their deliveries have been sorted.
There is also additional parking over at the Wymeswold Business Quarter, LE12 5BS, for people who may be able to car share. In addition, there is an Olivia’s Bakery in the next group of industrial units on the business park.
Further details will be provided nearer to the time. Last orders are the 6th May. We have already run out of several items and will be looking to cover some of these with plants from other nurseries.
Christmas Tin Rattles
A long time away, but just to let you know we have the following confirmed dates:-
Tesco’s Saturday 19th and Monday 21st December; Morrisons (inside near the service counter) on the 22nd December.
Coming up soon now, “Me & My Shadow” ..
Please support this event, offered by the Coats4Kids team to support their work, on Saturday 23rd May:
The Early Bird offer has been extended until Wednesday 6th May – so hurry to get your tickets at the best price!
You can hear the duo by clicking this link: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1855o8eQrF/
From Lawrence:
Our next Zoom talk will be held on Saturday 13th June. The speaker will be Professor Ed Hawkins of the University of Reading, on Climate Change, under the auspices of ESRAG.
Prof Hawkins was awarded an MBE in 2020 'for services to climate science and to science communication', and is the inventor of 'warming stripes' and 'climate spirals'.
Please feel free to pass the link from Lawrence Leger’s email on to anyone who might be interested, especially young people and non-Rotarians.
LOOKING BACK.. this month, the memories come from Robert Lush..
Robert shares memories of the Presentation of Charter in June 1984
The Dragon Boat race took place on the River Soar in the 25th Anniversary year, 2007-08, the year that John Boyes was president. It was in aid of Prostaid and in memory of PP Bob Smallman.
Loughborough Impact Group
Newsletter no. 11 May 2026
Hello and welcome to May’s newsletter. Spring has indeed sprung! Read on to find out the latest news and don’t forget your diary as there are several upcoming events including LIG lunchtime meetings and Loughborough Beacon’s evening programme as we head towards the end of the Rotary year.
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DAVID RENNIE |
Wellbeing Centre, marshalling at the Santa
Fun Run or representing us at the Calvert
Trust in 2022. His sailing experience, having participated in a leg of the Round the World
sailing event, was not perhaps fully utilised on Bassenthwaite Lake but his ability to
interact with and inspire those around him
was without question.
He will be very much missed by all those who knew him and we extend our condolences to his family and friends.
The funeral service will be held on 28th May at
1:15pm at Rushcliffe Oaks Crematorium, NG12 2PY and afterwards at The Manor House, Quorn, LE12 8AL.
No flowers please. Donations, if so desired,
to Rainbow’s Hospice where Dave was a
much-loved volunteer.
Following a lengthy stay in hospital, we are delighted that David Walker is much better now and home again. A couple of weeks ago, Ros underwent a hip replacement operation and is re-gaining her mobility. We wish both David and Ros well and look forward to seeing them again soon.
There was good attendance at the lunchtime meeting on 7th April where Ros was able to feedback to members in regard to events and updates from Council. Should anyone be interested in being a member of the Council next year, please get in touch with Ros or Diane.
The AGM of RC Loughborough Beacon will be held on Tuesday 12th May at 7pm for 7:30pm at Longcliffe Golf Club. All members are welcome and encouraged to attend. Please see dates below for the Charter Evening and Club Assembly where the objectives and projects for the forthcoming Rotary year will be set out.
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Charnwood Talking News Dates for your diary:
13th May 27th May - CANCELLED 8th July 19th August 23rd September 11th November |
Time, please!
Can members make a note of their service hours from January to June of this year. Please bring your hours to the meeting on 2nd June. Please detail any voluntary activities you have been involved with even if they may not be directly linked to Rotary charities or events. It’s always great to hear about what our members are doing and the causes they are supporting.
Thank you!
- Plant Sale
If you ordered plants, they are scheduled to be delivered this week, 11th – 15th May.
National Year of Reading 2026 – be involved!
The National Year of Reading 2026 is the biggest campaign in a generation designed to help more people (re)discover the joy of reading and make it part of their everyday life.
According to a survey carried out by the National Literacy Trust, the percentage of children and young people who enjoy reading is at its lowest in 20 years.
- Just 1 in 3 (32.7%) children and young people aged 8 to 18 said that they enjoyed reading in their free time in 2025. This marks a 36% decrease in reading enjoyment levels since 2005.
- The drop in reading enjoyment over the last year has been especially steep among primary-aged children and boys, particularly boys aged 11 to 18.
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May and June dates:
11th – 15th May: RC Loughborough Beacon Plant Sale Week
12th May: RC Loughborough Beacon Evening Meeting at Longcliffe Golf Club. 7pm for 7:30pm
18th May: District Assembly at Loughborough University
19th May: LIG Lunchtime Meeting at Longcliffe Golf Club. 12 noon for 12:30pm
19th May: RC Loughborough Beacon AGM & Planning Meeting at Longcliffe Golf Club. 7pm for 7:30pm
2nd June: LIG Lunchtime Meeting at Longcliffe Golf Club. 12 noon for 12:30pm and RC Loughborough Beacon Charter Evening at Longcliffe Golf Club. 7pm for 7:30pm.
9th June: RC Loughborough Beacon Club Assembly for 2026/2027 at Longcliffe Golf Club at 7pm for 7:30pm
15th June RC Loughborough Beacon Golf Day at Longcliffe Golf Club
16th June: LIG Lunchtime Meeting at Longcliffe Golf Club. 12 noon for 12:30pm. As this will be the final meeting of this Rotary year, we will be having a special lunch. Partners and friends are most welcome.
LIG will continue to meet following the usual pattern throughout the summer in July and August- details in the next newsletter
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