Article about our activities at July 2025

Rotary club of Cambridge South Peace debate and Charity Car parking

Rotary’s motto is “Service above Self” and Peace (in its widest sense) has always been at the forefront of Rotary’s work.

This house believes that

Democracy has had its day as a tool to bring about world Peace

and

Peace education should be mandatory and examinable in all secondary schools

and

Nationalism and Individualism are both necessary for a peaceful society.

If you would like to hear 6^th formers from 6 local schools formally debating (for and against) these motions at Impington Village college on Monday 6^th October from 4.00 to 7.45pm, do get in touch.

Thank you to Sustainable Cottenham for looking after the alder tree planted on the corner of Broad Lane and the High Street. I hope that you admire it as you pass.

In addition, our Rotary club is looking for somewhere to plant either on, or near, land with public access another 105 trees in the Autumn. Let me know if you have an idea and can get permission to plant.

Amongst other things that we do

A monthly memory café, for people with memory loss and their carers, at Girton (Community building in St Vincents close) on first Friday of each month at 10am. New people from Cottenham and elsewhere are warmly welcome.

A 6-aside football tournament for Homeless players will have taken place at Abbey Pools’ All weather pitches on 14 September 1-5pm. This aims to help improve esteem of the homeless and relations with establishment (eg the Police).

Our club (Cambridge South) meets on 2nd and 4^th Mondays (except bank holidays) 6 for 6.30pm at Madingley Hall Cambridge with excellent speakers and meal. New guests, volunteer speakers and potential members are very welcome. We also have trips out such as to Landbeach’s massive glasshouses on 29 September. Do get in touch.

Children’s books and Toys

We collect good quality children’s books, and even as-new toys, for North Cambridge (Arbury/Kings Hedges) where some children have no books in their homes. We are very happy to receive donations (see photo of a recent delivery)

Charity Car parking

At two University sites in Cambridge. This will run each weekend from 29 November to Christmas plus 27-31 December. We are a very small club and rely heavily on non-member volunteers to fill the 200+ slots of 2.5 hours. Could you do a slot or two this Christmas and contribute to fundraising for local charities (last year £38,000!).

Also on the above dates, do look out for the signs to the car parks on Lensfield road and at the top of Tennis Court road near Downing street and ensure that all your car park money goes to good causes. The shops and other motorists benefit too as the other car parks will be full or filling.

I hope that I have whet your appetite to find out more about the many facets of Rotary, which has 1.4million members in 200 countries and which is, and has been for many years, working to finally eradicate polio – you could help protect the world from this awful disease which could, until eradicated, flare up again anywhere, by supporting Rotary.

Our club is actively looking for new members to continue the beneficial work that we do locally.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Mike Smith, Rotary Club of Cambridge South smithmichaelstanley@hotmail.com