Our activities

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 newsletter. If you would like more details or clarification, please email us on Contact@BeaconRotary.org 

See also our Facbook 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 

 • Prince's Trust 

 • Humphrey Perkins School 

 • De Lisle School 

 • Coaching and Mentoring Loughborough University

Newsletter

President Martin’s Comments:

We should first reflect on the fact that we have lost two Rotarians to higher service in August. Both will be a significant loss to the club and hard acts to follow. We lost Rtn Lesley Tyers earlier in the month; Lesley played a key role both within the club and at a district level particularly with her work with Primary Schools, Rotary Stars, Warning Zone etc: a significant loss to Rotary both at Club and District level. She will be missed.

Later in August we lost Rtn Robert Powell who had just moved to Falkirk to be closer to family. Robert was never one to push himself to the fore; nevertheless, he kept us all the right side of the line in complying with Rotary procedures as our compliance officer. Robert was in his 25^th year of Rotary service. Many people have commented on Robert’s dry wit, something that will be missed.

At this time, please share a thought for Lesley and Roberts family. RIP Lesley and Robert.

August has seen a varied programme of events: thank you to the programme team!

The first of these was a visit to the Glenfield Tunnel which gave a fascinating insight into Leicestershire’s Industrial Heritage.  

The second meeting of the month had to be changed, unusually in the UK, due to the HOT weather. We had been scheduled to visit the grounds of Loughborough University to view Sculptures.  

A very professional guide had been produced by Rtn Neil for use by the club. I will certainly make use of it during Autumn.

Nevertheless, a good night was had by all who attended the Toby Inn.  

The last meeting of the month was, for me, a significant moment for the club with a real mix of Beacon and LIG members (31 people attended) enjoying a talk by Inspector Charlotte Dickens, which was well received by all those who attended. (NB: My hand has about recovered from her handshake - obvious that she goes to the

Gym!)

I was proud to represent the club at a VJ

Event at Southfields Council Office on the 15^th August. I was pleased to meet the former Charnwood Mayor Julie Bradshaw MBE and the current Mayor David Northage (a former Rtn of Shepshed Charnwood). The work that you have done and are still doing within the borough is recognised so thank you to you all. The ceremony was a great tribute to those who served in the Far East, many of whom still think of themselves as the forgotten Army. Certainly not on this day. (Councillor Bradshaw has posted a video of the event on YouTube).

Rotary in Loughborough has been a key aspect for previous presidents and hopefully one that I can build on. So, both Ex Mayor and the current Mayor as well as Dame Nicky Morgan of Cotes will give talks to the Club in this Rotary year.

Thank you to Roger Williams and Ian Sharpe who have completed the handover of the Treasurer’s role post the SGM. The 24/25 Accounts have now been submitted for Review / Examination.

The good works within the club continue at a significant level!  

•        HSB has just produced batch fifty-nine. That is over £60k of boxes provided to those in need within Charnwood. A big thank you to the HSB team.  

•        C4K team are preparing for a busy autumn with a target of beating last year’s numbers of coats delivered. This will be the subject of a talk on the 14^th October to the club. Please note that they are holding a fund-raising Quiz night on the 24^th October.  

•        The winter concert is well advanced in its planning and Rtn Neil has asked us all to help with publicity for this event.

•        The Plant sale team will visit Thorntons Nursey shortly to see if a 2026 plant sale is possible. Please avoid booking holidays during the 11^th to the 15^th May 2026.

•        Tin Rattles are being planned with Tesco, Morrisons and Co-op being targeted.

•        Two further fund-raising concerts are planned for 2026 with more details to be provided in Octobers VFTB.

•        We have a date for the Golf Day in 2026.

In other news..

Subject to Council approval (Numbers previously submitted as part of assembly) we hope to make the following payments in September: to Foundation, £2,250;

Aquabox, £500; Shelterbox, £500 and

Intercare, £300 (all Beacon only); End Polio: £750 (Beacon); £150 (Jubilee).

I will be attending a LIG meeting on the 16^th September when a representative from Living Without Abuse will be giving a talk as well as receiving a cheque from LIG. Please feel free to join the event as this is one of the benefits of an enlarged “Rotary in Loughborough Group.”

Please keep in mind the opportunity to visit AquaBox at Cromford in September (booking page on the wiki).

I was approached by a few members who have missed the “Beacon Club Directory” previously produced. Circulated with this edition of VftB is an Addendum with key information but stopping short of being the old directory – in this format we can keep it up to date as circumstances change.

May I remind you that “My Rotary” is a great tool and signing up for it is free as it is part of being a Rotarian. Please use it.

Amazing to reflect that we are a sixth of the way through the Rotary Year.