SNAIL RACE

Sat, Mar 25th 2017 at 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm

A hilarious evening of SNAIL RACING raises over £1000!

Rotarians and friends enjoyed a hilarious evening of charity fund-raising at our recent Snail Race.

(Please be assured that no snails were injured during this event!)

The event was organised by “Fundeo.com” who prepared a special DVD for us to project onto a screen in Kearns Hall.

Each race had eight cartoon snails and people had kindly sponsored each race and each snail with cash donations. The sponsors chose their own names for each snail.

Before each race the “punters” had an opportunity to place their bets on which snail they thought would win and the everyone was ready for “the off”.

As the snails raced up the track, some suffered terribly as crows came down and gobbled them up, farmers grabbed them or squashed them under foot. By the end of a race only a few had survived and any who had broken the rules (e.g. by sprouting wings!) were disqualified!

Eventually the winner of each race was declared and punters were able to collect their winnings, sometimes with odds as good as 6 -1.

After the first four races, a delicious fish & chip supper was delivered by the “Seabells” restaurant and everyone then enjoyed a choc ice.

This was a hilarious way to raise over £1000 for local charities and the money will be used to support local projects like the allotment renovation scheduled for next weekend when Rotarians will clear the grass and weeds and build raised beds in the allotment in Windmill Gardens, Margate which is administered by the Kent Community Day Care Scheme for disadvantaged people.

'What We Do' Main Pages:

Youth & Vocational

The Rotary Clubs of Thanet are committed to providing opportunities and support for young people.

House

Mick Stokes is our Dining Steward and is charge of arranging our venues and gourmet refreshment.

Successful RYLA candidates,Elizabeth Irvine and Emily Robertson report on their experiences at the Arethusa Venture Centre

Foundation

The 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.

Adrian Bawtree, Tessa Read, Roger Newman MBE, Chris Hedges, Derek Brown & Richard Parkin

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

President Chris & Hazel Hedges visited the Rotary Club of Temecula, California

Sergeant at Arms

Mike O'Toole is our Sergeant-at-Arms

International

The 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

Membership

We 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.

Banner of the Rotary Club of Westwood Village, Los Angeles

President Chris & Hazel Hedges paid a visit to the Rotary Club of Westwood Village, Los Angeles

Community Service

Community Service Committee is responsible for organising fund-raising and social events, community service projects and recommending payments to external charities.

Website

Chris Hedges updates the website on a regular basis.

Westgate and Birchington Rotary Club Funds Improvements at Christ Church Community Hall in Westgate

Club Council

Club Council normally meets on the last Monday of every month at Church House, Birchington at 7.00 pm.

CLUB NEWS AND ACTIVITIES

Here is an archive of news and activities over the last 10 years

Inner Wheel Club

The 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.

CHARITIES WE HAVE SUPPORTED

In recent years we have supported a wide range of local, national and international charities

Ian Sharpe & Victoria Lawrence dance the Foxtrot

The "Strictly Come Rotary" Dance Competition was staged on Saturday 13th April 2013 at The Winter Gardens in aid of "Alfie's Trust"

The winners of the Young Photographer Competition were presented with their awards by the Editor of The Isle of Thanet Gazette, Rebecca Smith

YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHER COMPETITION 2014

An excellent portfolio of entries was received from competitors in the 2014 Young Photographer Competition. Very well done!

President-Elect Tony Orpwood & Christine; President Chris Hedges & Hazel; Assistant Governor Jan Dash; Past President John Hawkins & Margaret

A superb FUN, FELLOWSHIP & FOUNDATION Conference in Lille!

A Musical Soiree was held in the Chapel at St Augustine's to raise funds for the charity "Sing For Your Life"

To coincide with St Valentine's Day, an "Italian Masked Ball" was held in Kearns Hall.

Communications

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!!!

Sheila Minhinick, RIBI President John Minhinick, Hazel Hedges, President Chris Hedges, Sheila Grainger, District Governor Stewart Grainger

RIBI President John Minhinick and his wife Sheila attended a Dinner and Presentations for Rotarians in East Kent on Tuesday 4th September 2012

A Tour of the Cape Wine-lands

Memebers enjoyed a comprehensive wine tasting experience and dined in style.

Christmas Collections & Events

Santa's coming!! He'll be coming to a street near you in December" PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY TO SUPPORT OUR CHARITIES!!

Rotary Schools Prom 2013

The Joint Rotary Clubs of Thanet together with Kent Music presented the seventh annual Schools Prom at The Winter Gardens, Margate

Rotarians from Darmstadt-Kranichstein, Poitiers-Futuroscope and Westgate & Birchington in Auerbach Keller, Leipzig

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

Chris Hedges's President's Night Dinner Dance was held on Friday 7th June 2013 at St Augustine's, Westgate-on-Sea

Members constructed a raised garden area for the students at the Hearing-Impaired Unit with matched funding gained from a District Grant of $1000.

President Tony prresented cheques to the Woodford Foundation and "Blood Runners"

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

Sport

The Club enjoys a number of sporting activities in conjunction with other Rotary Clubs, including Bowls and Golf competitions. The Sports Coordinator is John Hawkins.

Shop

Rotarian Allan Harris is our Club shop manager and arranges for members to purchase Rotary regalia, clothing and jewellery.

The children at St Crispin's School, Westgate-on-Sea, filled seven Aquaboxes.

President Chris & Hazel paid a visit to the Rotary Club of Beverly Hills.

Christmas Dinner & New Member Induction

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

A party of Rotarians and members of Inner Wheel attended Evensong "Celebrating Rotary" in Rochester Cathedral on Sunday 17th February 2013