News Archives - 2024 3rd.Quarter

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A busy week for Borderland Rotary’s Harry Richardson

On Wednesday, at a regular Borderland meeting, Harry presented a cheque to members of the Ellesmere Rotary Club for monies raised from a bookstall at the Ellesmere Regatta in July with the funds going towards the charitable activities of the Ellesmere Club.

And on Friday, the weather was kind to the team as they organised their annual Macmillan Coffee in Bailey Street, Oswestry, where trade was very brisk as shoppers chatted, sipped coffee supplied by the Big Bean Coffee Machine and tucked into delicious muffins which were kindly donated by the Sweeney Hall Hotel.

Harry Richardson, who organised both events for Borderland said, “Every year we hold this event and every year I’m surprised and grateful for the tremendous support we receive from the people of Oswestry - they’re so generous - and it’s also really nice to have a bit of a catch-up with lots of old friends”.

Borderland Rotary have had a book stall at the Ellesmere Regatta for some years and the coffee has become a diary fixture for the town and is helped by Oswestry Town Market, who give a stall and gazebo, free of charge. 

Sean Evans from the Sweeney Hall Hotel said, “It’s a great opportunity for me to help with this great cause and meet many of my customers and friends away from the hotel. Borderland do a great job organising this event – long may it continue.”

Borderland Rotary help out at Oswestry show

Borderland Rotary were on hand to help at the Oswestry Show on Saturday as members took turns to take the entry fees for the main stand throughout the show. The weather was just right, and a good time was had by all.

Borderland Rotary learn about the Shropshire Gap

Borderland Rotary went on a fact finding walk the other day along a section of the Montgomery canal, currently under restoration.

More than thirty Rotary Members, partners, and guests went for an evening stroll down the Montgomery Canal from the restored section at Crickheath basin, which was opened in June 2023, past the stretch currently being restored at Crickheath tramway wharf, and on to Schoolhouse Bridge that has been built, from scratch, by contractors and funded by public donations. It was formally opened in June 2024. This was followed by dinner at the Dolphin Inn in Llanymynech, at the other end of the Shropshire Gap. 

The group were keen to find out what is meant by the term, Shropshire Gap, as they had now visited both ends of it. Chris Bryan-Smith, a Rotarian and canal enthusiast, explained, “The Shropshire Gap is the colloquial name given to the unrestored section of the Montgomery Canal between Crickheath Basin, which we visited earlier and Llanymynech on the Welsh border. Strangely enough, we hope that one day, it will not exist, and boats will be able to travel from the national canal network over the border and take advantage of the two proposed new bridges, just south of here”.

Borderland president, Rob Hughes responded, “It certainly is a wonderful section of the canal, a hidden gem, and well worth all the effort to bring it back to life, I’m sure we will all spread the word”.

Borderland Rotary welcome a new President 

At the turn of another Rotary year, Borderland Rotary celebrated another successful term and greeted their new president, Bob Hughes with around forty Rotarians and guests present to enjoy the wonderful BBQ laid on by the Sweeney Hotel.  Andy Boroughs, the outgoing president, thanked everyone for their support throughout his presidential year and said, “I’ve really enjoyed my time as supremo, the help and camaraderie has been wonderful and I’d particularly like to recognise all those that helped with our three major events, the Fireworks in Cae Glas park, even though the weather wasn’t all we could have hoped for, the Oswestry Christmas Parade and the Borderland Mountain Bike Challenge which, this year, raised in excess of ten thousand pounds. It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to work with everyone and I’ll still be about, but you’ll find me in the comfy back seat for a bit”.

The new president, Rob Hughes needs no introduction to the club as this is the second time he has served as president and he admitted, “When I was last head man, they hadn’t invented email, and the internet was a nebulous thing that other people knew about – and still do. I’m very pleased to be doing it again as I’ve found that the club has not only done lots of good things for the community, but it’s given me fellowship, friendship and a great sense of purpose. 

The Rotary year runs from July to June and each new president guides the club through all its business while delegating other tasks, such as secretary, treasurer, membership and committee heads to other members. It’s a busy appointment and sometimes diplomatic skills are a great advantage but generally people enjoy their term, and it also fulfils the Rotary moto, ‘Service above self’.

Rob concluded by saying, “I’m just proud to be a member of a club that remains so vibrant and active – long may it remain so”.