Contact Clubs Visit 2012
Thu, May 17th 2012 at 12:00 am- Sun, May 20th 2012 - 12:00 am
Rotarians from our Contact Clubs, Poitiers Futuroscope and Darmstadt Kranichstein came to Westgate & Birchington for our annual reunion.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
We were delighted to welcome our friends from France & Germany for the annual Contact Club Reunion. We operate a three-year rotation and we travelled to Darmstadt in 2010, to France in 2011 and were the "home team hosts" this year.
The delegation arrived on Thursday afternoon, 17th May, (Ascension Day is the annual trigger) and assembled first "Chez Hedges" for Pimms & nibbles before going off to install themselves in their hosts houses.
Patrick & Christine Bonnin stayed with Chris & Hazel Hedges; Jean & Claire Bordonneau stayed with John & Margaret Hawkins; Magloire Kinde & Anne Catherine Risse stayed with Charlie & Rose Brightling; Deiter & Ingrid Hoffmann stayed with John & Maureen Dunderdale.
On the Thursday evening the visitors, together with members of Westgate & Birchington RC enjoyed dinner parties thrown by Rotarians Dondi, Dunderdale, Hedges, Hawkins & Johnson.
On the Friday morning everyone assembled at Hornby Hobbies HQ at Westwood and spent an interesting hour looking at the exhibitions. We were particularly delighted to be able see the recently discovered models of British and European Cathedrals which had languished beneath Canterbury Cathedral for years, gathering dust.
.jpg)
We then piled into cars and went in different directions for coffee. Some went to Westwood Cross (when the going gets tough, the tough go shopping!) others went down to the sea-front at Margate and visited the Turner Contemporary Gallery (sadly no major exhibition that day, but at least Rodin's "The Kiss" was still on show) where the warm sunshine allowed us to have coffee on the terrace.
Everyone then homed in on "The Jolly Farmer" at Manston and enjoyed an excellent lunch of Fish & Chips or Game Pie in their splendid new conservatory. Completely bloated, we needed exercise! Just as well, then, that the afternoon programme consisted of a guided walk around Sandwich!
In need of further sustenance, it was just as well that Friday evening was the formal dinner at St Augustines in Westgate. After a drinks reception in the splendid Chapel, we were treated to Venison Terrine, Rack of Lamb, Toffee Cheesecake, Cheese & biscuits all washed down with lashings of wine. There were formal speeches by all three Presidents and an important ceremony during which Allen Cox and Roger Hobcraft were presented with Paul Harris Fellowships by District Governor Lynn Mitchell.
Quite early on the Saturday morning we set off by coach to Brogdale Farm, the National Fruit Collection, at Faversham to be conducted by tractor-towed charabanc around the extensive fields which are home to literally thousands of varieties of Apple, Pear, Cherry, Currant & Gooseberry. It is a vital genetic bank which aims to preserve the world-record collection of fruit trees.
Hungry again (!) we moved to Faversham town centre to sample a magnificent Italian lunch at Posillipos by the side of The Creek again accompanied by many litres of wine!
After a very filling lunch, more exercise was required and so we all went for a walk around Faversham and were able to profit from an interesting market and a display of vintage cars and buses.
Just in case we hadn't had enought to eat and drink (!) Roger & Ros Binks threw a garden party complete with a Hog Roast. (Ooh, the crackling! It was wonderful! Heart-attack-on-a-stick!)
Early on Sunday morning, the French visitors assembled at the Brightlings' ready to depart for the drive to Folkestone and the Channel Tunnel. They arrived safely home in Poitiers in the early evening. Our German visitors stayed on in England for a few days sightseeing before flying back to Frankfurt.
We are looking forward to keeping up the 30-year old tradition of Club Reunions next year by assembling in Germany.
'What We Do' Main Pages:
A "Sing For Your Life" "MUSIC BOX" has been handed over to East Kent Independent Dementia Support (EKIDS). From left: Adrian Bawtree, Tessa Read, Roger Newman MBE, Chris Hedges, Derek Brown & Richard Parkin
moreThe Rotary Clubs of Thanet are committed to providing opportunities and support for young people.
moreMick Stokes is our Dining Steward and is charge of arranging our venues and gourmet refreshment.
moreThe Foundation Committee seeks to raise awareness of Rotary's own Charity, THE ROTARY FOUNDATION, and organise events to raise funds for the projects undertaken by the Rotary Foundation.
more
Mike O'Toole is our Sergeant-at-Arms
moreThe International Committee is responsible for coordinating the Contact Club arrangements with the Rotary Club of Poitiers Futuroscope and the Rotary Club of Darmstadt Kranichstein. The Committee also seeks to support overseas charities with fundraising
moreWe are always delighted to welcome guests to our meetings who may be considering joining the Rotary Family. Please contact our Secretary, Dave Alker to enquire about booking in.
more
Westgate and Birchington Rotary Club Funds Improvements at Christ Church Community Hall in Westgate
more
President Chris & Hazel Hedges paid a visit to the Rotary Club of Westwood Village, Los Angeles
moreCommunity Service Committee is responsible for organising fund-raising and social events, community service projects and recommending payments to external charities.
more
Successful RYLA candidates,Elizabeth Irvine and Emily Robertson report on their experiences at the Arethusa Venture Centre
moreHere is an archive of news and activities over the last 10 years
moreClub Council normally meets on the last Monday of every month at Church House, Birchington at 7.00 pm.
moreThe Inner Wheel Club of Westgate & Birchington is a close member of our Rotary family. Its members are predominently relations of Rotarians but membership is open to any lady who is sponsored by an exisiting member.
moreIn recent years we have supported a wide range of local, national and international charities
more
The "Strictly Come Rotary" Dance Competition was staged on Saturday 13th April 2013 at The Winter Gardens in aid of "Alfie's Trust"
more
The winners of the Young Photographer Competition were presented with their awards by the Editor of The Isle of Thanet Gazette, Rebecca Smith
moreAn excellent portfolio of entries was received from competitors in the 2014 Young Photographer Competition. Very well done!
more
A Musical Soiree was held in the Chapel at St Augustine's to raise funds for the charity "Sing For Your Life"
more.jpg)
The good news is YOU ARE ON OUR WEBSITE!! Please visit it regularly to find news of our latest efforts to serve our community. MEMBERS - PLEASE CHECK THE HOME PAGE EACH WEEK!!!
more
RIBI President John Minhinick and his wife Sheila attended a Dinner and Presentations for Rotarians in East Kent on Tuesday 4th September 2012
moreMemebers enjoyed a comprehensive wine tasting experience and dined in style.
moreSanta's coming!! He'll be coming to a street near you in December" PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY TO SUPPORT OUR CHARITIES!!
moreThe Joint Rotary Clubs of Thanet together with Kent Music presented the seventh annual Schools Prom at The Winter Gardens, Margate
more
A party of Club Members and their partners travelled to Leipzig for the annual Contact Club Reunion with the Rotary Clubs of Darmstadt-Kranichstein and Poitiers-Futuroscope
more
Chris Hedges's President's Night Dinner Dance was held on Friday 7th June 2013 at St Augustine's, Westgate-on-Sea
more
Members constructed a raised garden area for the students at the Hearing-Impaired Unit with matched funding gained from a District Grant of $1000.
more
Following the successful bid for a District Grant, a Sensory Garden, adjacent to the Hearing Impaired Unit at Hartsdown Academy, was constructed by Rotarians. The "Oasis" was formally opened by Past President Chris Hedges on Friday 27th September
moreThe Club enjoys a number of sporting activities in conjunction with other Rotary Clubs, including Bowls and Golf competitions. The Sports Coordinator is John Hawkins.
moreRotarian Allan Harris is our Club shop manager and arranges for members to purchase Rotary regalia, clothing and jewellery.
more
A large gathering of Rotarians and guests enjoyed the annual Christmas Dinner which was made more special by the induction of Christine Laming and the award of the Moulsdale Trophy to Eddie Doody
more
A party of Rotarians and members of Inner Wheel attended Evensong "Celebrating Rotary" in Rochester Cathedral on Sunday 17th February 2013
more