CONTACT CLUB REUNION 2018
Thu, May 10th 2018 at 4:00 pm- Sun, May 13th 2018 - 11:00 am
22 Members from the Rotary Clubs of Poitiers Futuroscope and Darmstadt Kranichstein joined us at home for the annual Contact Club Reunion.
CONTACT CLUB REUNION 2018
Monsoon conditions for the last night party!!
Hedges drinks 02
Hedges drinks 02
Hedges drinks 03
Hedges drinks 03
Hedges drinks
Hedges drinks
Golf Club 01
Golf Club 01
Golf Club 02
Golf Club 02
Golf Club 03
Golf Club 03
Golf Club 04
Golf Club 04
Golf Club 05
Golf Club 05
Crazy Golf 04
Crazy Golf 04
Crazy Golf 01
Crazy Golf 01
Crazy Golf 03
Crazy Golf 03
Crazy Golf 10
Crazy Golf 10
Crazy Golf 11
Crazy Golf 11
Crazy Golf 14
Crazy Golf 14
Crazy Golf 9
Crazy Golf 9
Crazy Golf
Crazy Golf
Quex 03
Quex 03
ABBA Chique 01
ABBA Chique 01
ABBA Chique 02
ABBA Chique 02
ABBA DANCE
ABBA DANCE
Josselin speech
Josselin speech
Whitstable-Pacific-Oysters-Freshly-Shucked-74x74
Whitstable-Pacific-Oysters-Freshly-Shucked-74x74
Oysters 02
Oysters 02
Oysters
Oysters
Witstable harbour in the rain
Whitstable harbour in the rain
Whitstable Castle
Whitstable Castle
BBQ chefs at the ready
BBQ chefs at the ready
.JPG)
BBQ ready (1)
BBQ ready (1)
.JPG)
BBQ ready (65)
BBQ ready (65)
Josselin - chef patron
Josselin - chef extraordinaire
BBQ party
BBQ party
Bowls Match at Whitstable Castle
Bowls Match at Whitstable Castle
Ice cream van
Ice cream van in the rain!
Oh we do like to be beside the seaside! - Copy
Oh we do like to be beside the seaside!
Rotary Party
Rotary Party
Led by President Michael Schafer, the German party arrived at Margate Station at 2.30 pm after flying from Frankfurt to London Heathrow. President Michael was accompanied by his wife, Gudrun, Uwe Schneider and his friend Ulrike, Klaus and Immie Willimczik, Martin and Meike Kunkele-Rieken, Silvia Castaner and Monserrat Portell.
Led by President Jossellin Debordes, the French party arrived at Ramsgate Station at 5.30 pm after spending the day sightseeing in London having flown into Stansted from Poitiers the previous evening. President Josellin was accompanied by his partner, Estelle, Jacques and Josette Metais, Emmanuelle and Jerome Bourdeau, Karine and Frantz Thomas, Bernard and Maria-Theresa Coupleux and Elias Rady (whose partner, Cindy, was unable to travel at the last minute).
On arriving at their hosts' houses, welcome drinks were served before everybody made their way to the Westgate & Birchington Golf Club for a very English dinner of Steak & Mushroom Pie and Eton Mess.
On Friday morning everyone met at Quex Park where two groups were created. The first group spent the morning exploring Quex House and Museum and enjoyed the splendid gardens. The second group played Crazy Golf - 18 holes of fiendishly difficult design - which caused almost permanent hilarity!
Lunch was taken in Quex Barn - a splendid concoction of massive sandwiches and delicious chips.
In the afternoon, the two groups swapped activities and then still had time to explore the Farmer's Market in Quex Barn where many souvenirs were purchased.
After a chance to freshen up and change at home, everyone made their way to St Augustine's for the President's Night Dinner and were joined by the Presidents of other Thanet Rotary and Inner Wheel Clubs, and a number of Honorary Members and Friends of Rotary. A traditional menu of Smoked Salmon starter, Roast Beef and Fresh Fruit Pavlova was followed by a first set of songs from "ABBA CHIQUE" who got everyone singing and dancing to familiar ABBA hits. Then came the three Presidential speeches, but unfortunately, President Michael was indisposed and could not attend and so PDG Klaus Willimczik read his speech. After this brief moment of formality, ABBA CHIQUE came back to the stage and continued to entertain the excited throng.
On Saturday morning everyone met in Whitstable and groups explored the boutique shops in the High Street, the oyster bars 
and the heritage harbour before making their way up the hill to Whitstable Castle for lunch. There was an opportunity to view the interior of the castle and to wander in the beautiful gardens. The visitors from France and Germany were interested to see a Green Bowls Match in full flow.
Martin, Meike, Monserrat & Silvia in front of Whitstable Castle
In the evening, a garden party, Chez Brightling, was planned but, unexpectedly, we entered the monsoon season and there was torrential rain and gusting wind. Undeterred, everyone remembered what Alfred Wainwright said: "There is no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing" and arrived fully waterproofed for the festivities. 
Coming together in adversity, everyone feasted on BBQued steak, lamb burgers, marinated chicken and kentish sausages all washed down with copious quanities of vino.
For the dessert, and much to the surprise of everyone present, a traditional ice cream van arrived at 9 pm and, despite the heavy rain, all the guests trooped out to the road under umbrellas to order their 99's, oysters and cornets. It could only be IN ENGLAND!
The French party had to catch the 8.05 am train from Ramsgate in order to get back to Stansted in time for their flight to Poitiers so everyone was up at the crack of dawn! The German party had a little more time to wake up as their train was the 10.05 am from Ramsgate. Why not Margate?? It was a Sunday, so there were the dreaded "Engineering Works" and "Replacement Bus Service" Good old Southeastern Railway!
'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
President Chris & Hazel Hedges paid a visit to the Rotary Club of Westwood Village, Los Angeles
more
Westgate and Birchington Rotary Club Funds Improvements at Christ Church Community Hall in Westgate
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