PRESIDENT'S BLOG -DECEMBER

November is a month of reflection and remembrance. At Rotary Newton-le-Willows, we began the month by remembering and celebrating our club’s history, covering 87 years of Rotary service in our community since it received its Charter back in September 1937. Seventy-Four members and guests marked this with our annual Charter Anniversary Celebration on 8 November, with first class musical entertainment by David Marshall. It was great to have Edwin Partridge, currently our Assistant Governor and also District Governor elect for next year, 2025-26, and his wife, Elaine, with us to represent District Governor Jean on this occasion. It was a great evening of celebration from which we continue to look forward to the future as we try new ways of developing our club and making Rotary accessible to all. What would tempt you to explore Rotary and consider volunteering with us – perhaps even membership?

Just two days later we joined with our communities of Newton-le-Willows, Earlestown and Haydock for the annual Remembrance Sunday commemoration, where we remembered those who have given their lives in two world wars and in other conflicts. It was my privilege to lay wreaths on behalf of Rotary at both the Earlestown cenotaph and the Haydock Memorial Garden. I also met up with a former work colleague, now our local MP, David Baines. Over the two weeks leading up to Remembrance Sunday we helped out, as always, with the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal collections at Tesco Haydock.

Also in November, it was my privilege to present a Rotary Young Achiever award to one of our Sea Cadets in Earlestown at ‘TS Warspite’. Many thanks to Matthew Thorpe, the Officer-in-Charge, for his kind invitation and hospitality on the night; and congratulations to Amelia Thomas on her achievement!

We have, as in past years, participated in the Rotary Shoebox Appeal, packing gifts for distribution overseas. These were collected towards the end of the month to be taken to the distribution depot ready for transportation. Although we have traditionally done this on the lead-up to Christmas, it is a year-round appeal. You can find out more by searching ‘Rotary Shoebox Appeal’.

Our social activity was a visit to Jodrell Bank, organised by Past President Craig Roberts. It was foggy for our journey over and the Lovell telescope was barely visible when we arrived. Starting with coffee in the coffee shop, our tour took in the ‘Dome Experience’ – a film presentation about the evolution of our Solar System, and the development of the Lovell Telescope - which we were able to see up close on what had become a clear sunny afternoon.

As we move into December, our Christmas Float is already out and about, and Father Christmas is visiting as many parts of our town as he can. You can check our website and Socials for full details of dates and areas. We are also looking ahead into the New Year, and plans for our annual Beer Festival are already well underway. Whether a local business or an individual, if you feel that you could sponsor a barrel at the Festival, please contact us at newtonbeerfest@outlook.com to get a sponsor form, or to let us know if you would like to help us in any way with this event. We welcome new occasional volunteers and we’re waiting to hear from you.

It just remains for me, on behalf of all of us at Rotary Newton-le-Willows, to wish all our readers, supporters and volunteers a Very Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year for 2025.

As usual, if you would like further information about Rotary and about what we do here in our own community, please contact us at secretary.nlewrotary@gmail.com