Rotary & The Commonwealth - Tree Planting & Drumming

The Rotary Club of Westminster West collaborated with The Commonwealth Resounds and The Purcell School of Music to arrange a programme of Drumming Performances during the week in which Commonwealth Heads of Government met in London.

Rotary & The Commonwealth - Tree Planting & Drumming - Chenda Drummers are ready for their Morning Welcome performance for Delegates attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Forums on Tuesday 17th April 2018

Rotary & The Commonwealth - Tree Planting & Drumming - Rotarians, Purcellians and friends Drumming for Peace to Promote Rotary and the Commonwealth at the CHOGM Forums on 17th April 2018

Rotary & The Commonwealth - Tree Planting & Drumming - Rotarians, Purcell School Students and Performers from the West Indies, Africa and India collaborated to Drum for Peace

Rotary & The Commonwealth - Tree Planting & Drumming - The Chenda Drummers joined Rotarians, Purcellians, and drummers from the West Indies and Africa under the direction of the reknowned Master Percussionist Kevin Hathway to Drum for Peace

Rotary & The Commonwealth - Tree Planting & Drumming - Concert : Sound, Image, Movement - The Commonwealth. Performance by young people at St James's in Piccadilly - 20th April 2018

Rotary & The Commonwealth - Tree Planting & Drumming - Drummers from Botswana arrived in the UK to join the Rotarian and Purcellian Drummers

Rotary & The Commonwealth - Tree Planting & Drumming - Five Ghanaian Drummers added to the Commonwealth flavour of the Drumming for Peace performance

Rotary & The Commonwealth - Tree Planting & Drumming - Five Rotarians who volunteered to Drum for Peace

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The headline events which are currently in the advanced stages of planning are:

Wednesday 14th March 2018 – Tree Planting at St Georges Park, Newham.

An order for 210 trees was placed with the Woodlands trust and these were handed over to Newham Council. The trees have been planted at the King George V Park in Newham and the Council has agreed to maintain these trees. Members from the Rotary Clubs of Tower Hamlets, Newham, Stratford and Westminster West have come together to support this project. The tree planting is part of the Commonwealth celebrations that begin on Commonwealth Day on 12^th March and end of 20^th April 2018 – which marks the end of the events pertaining to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London.

Tuesday 17^th April 2018 - Rotary in London and the Commonwealth, Drumming for Peace.

This performance will be at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in Westminster and is called Rotary in London and the Commonwealth Drumming for Peace. A number of Commonwealth Forums are being held at this venue and HM the Queen and Commonwealth Heads of State are expected to attend at various times during the day. London Rotarians and drummers representing the 53 Commonwealth countries are performing under the direction of Kevin Hathway who is a renowned professional percussionist and musical director. The music has been composed by young Commonwealth students from the Purcell School of Music under the direction of Alison Cox, Founder of The Commonwealth Resounds. Precise details of the timings will be known in due course as arrangements for this event are being handled by the CHOGM organising committee based in the UK cabinet office. This event is being fully supported by the Rotary Club of Westminster West.

Tuesday 17^th April 2018 – The Commonwealth Big Lunch.

Rotary in London and the Commonwealth Resounds are bringing their performers and support teams together to celebrate their connections by hosting a Commonwealth Big Lunch during their lunch break at the QE II Centre. Lunch would probably take place in St James’ Park or Parliament Square. There will be approximately 70 performers and logistics supporters present for this event. All present would be requested to bring a packed lunch. Packet drinks and water will be provided to supplement the lunch. Negotiations are being held with a drinks supplier for provision of the drinks.

Note on The Commonwealth Big Lunch:

The Commonwealth Big Lunch is being advocated by the Eden Communities Project with the aim of bringing people together to celebrate their connections between Commonwealth Day on 12 March and 20 April when the Commonwealth celebrations end. We will be joining people across six continents to celebrate community and build new connections. The Big Lunch which is the official Eden Communities Project takes place every year and falls on 7^th June this year.

Thursday 19th April 2018 – Peace Songs dedicated to Rotary in London and the Commonwealth.

The peace songs were composed by children and young composers, using poetry written specially for this event by Commonwealth poets. The young people will perform at St George's, Hanover Square(2a Mill Street, W1S 1FX) and are part of the Commonwealth Festival Choir and Orchestra. Guests of Honour include Sree Vallipuram, Mike Hodge who is the London Rotary District Governor and Dr Josephine Ojiambo who is the President of the Rotary Club of Westminster West. Proceeds from this event will go towards supporting victims of Hurricane Irma in Antigua, Barbuda and Dominica. This event is being organised by the Commonwealth Resounds and is partly supported by the Rotary Club of Westminster West and mainly supported by the Royal Society of St George.

Friday 20th April 2018 – Sound, Image, Movement – the Commonwealth.

Rotary in London and the Commonwealth Drumming for Peace will perform at St James's, Piccadilly (197 Piccadilly, W1J 9LL) as part of a very special, colourful concert for young people featuring light classical music, folk, jazz and world music created and directed entirely by brilliant school-age musicians from The Purcell School. Guest of Honour will be Her Excellency Karen-Mae Hill, High Commissioner of Antigua and Barbuda. Proceeds from this event will go towards supporting victims of Hurricane Irma in Antigua, Barbuda and Dominica. The Concert is organised by The Commonwealth Resounds and is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Westminster West.

'What We Do' Main Pages:

Presidential Handover - 2024-25

Outgoing President Nishma Acharya hands over to incoming President David Ng

President Gordon hands over a cheque from Melissa to Nishma.

At the RI Presidential Peace Conference Dinner on 9 February 2024, President Gordon McInally inducted a new member - Rhea Ramanand, handed over a cheque for 6,400 euros to the club and presented a Positive Peace Award to PP Tarja Inovaara.

Sunil Acharya and his Tablas - the beat to get into the mood

This Diwali lunch also served as a fund raiser for the St Elizabeth Lureko Girls Secondary School in Mumias, Kenya.

Rotarians and Interactors joined the Head Teacher, Mayor & Mayoress for High Tea in Gatton Park

The club joined RC reigate and RAAS Interactors for High Tea on 5 Oct 2023.

Veronica Pickering being inducted as a Honorary Member of Westminster West

This was an annual gathering of the club with district officers but we were suprised by the High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire

IPP Gina and President Nishma - June 2023

Immendiate Past President Gina Langton handed over the chain of office to Preisdent Nishma Acharya on 28 June 2023

President of the Rotary Club of Westminster West - H.E. Amb Julius Peter Moto

The Club was honoured to welcome DG Francis at its meeting on 1st July 2020. This was the first official visit by the DG to a club in the District. The incoming President H.E. Amb Julius Moto was handed the chain of office by outgoing President Anna.

President Mark Kelly - inducted 7th July 2021

The Club is holding a hybrid meeting - where six members are meeting in a socially distanced manner and the rest are joining the meeting via zoom.

Rotarians and Guests who attended the Christmas Lunch

The club held its annual Christmas Lunch in the Jubilee Room of the Bbar. President Mark Kelly presided.

This is a District 1130 Peace Committee initiative led by members of the Rotary Club of Westminster West who are past or present officials of the UN and the Commonwealth. Members from other Clubs were inducted after a 2 day Peace Building Workshop.

President Gina Langton was inaugurated as Club President. She took over from Mark Kelly.

Plant Seagrass in the UK Coastal Waters

Launch of the Rotary Peace Square in Kyiv -n the Spring of 2021.

A Rotary Peace Square was established in Kyiv to Promote Peace.

ROTARY PEACE SEMINAR - 22 February 2022

February is Rotary's Peace & Conflict Prevention Month. Moreover 23 Feb is Rotary's 117th Birthday. The Queen completed 70 years of service on 6th Feb 2022. This Peace Seminar Commemorates all three milestones.

Life Skills Project in Uganda

This project entails the provision of equipment and materials to a Vocational School in Uganda to train ex-Child Soldiers and School Dropouts.

London Rotarians participated in a global, 24-hour continuous, live broadcast of music, art and remembrance on 6th August, 2020, to mark the 75thAnniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.

Join Rotary in the spirit of Diplomacy, Diversity, Inclusivity, Opportunity, Community, Sustainability, Tenacity and Credibility.

Rotary & The Commonwealth Drumming for Peace

The Rotary Club of Westminster West collaborated with The Commonwealth Resounds and The Purcell School of Music to arrange a programme of Drumming Performances during the week in which Commonwealth Heads of Government met in London.

We Wish Rotarians and Friends A Very Merry Christmas

The Club holds its annual Christmas Lunch in December and invites all friends of the Club to attend as well.

Rotarians and Friends at the Annual Christmas Lunch - 4 Dec 2019

The Club held its annual Christmas Lunch on 4th Dec 2019.

District Governor Tony Sharma makes his inaugural visit to the Club.

DG Tony Sharma and his wife Harjinder visited RC Westminster West on 3rd July 2019.

President Juvenal Shiundu meets with Mrs Esther Mudy who is the President of the Rotary Club of Kakamega in Kenya.

This page lists some of the visits by members of the Rotary Club of Westminster West to other Rotary Clubs around the World.

On 14th March 2018, the Club held a Social Evening comprising Members, their Spouses or Partners, Friends and two New Recruits.

President Juvenal with members and friends of RC Westminster West on the Terrace of the IMO

Westminster West had a special dinner for its members on 28 June 2019 at the International Maritime Organisation - which is the only UN Agency in the UK. The Drinks Reception & Dinner was hosted by President Juvenal Shiundu and his wife Mrs Rose Shiundu.

This page lists the various club meetings and visitors to the club

President Juvenal Shiundu Receives the District Governor's Flag

DG Mike Wren paid the traditional annual visit to the Club and was accompanied by his wife Teresa.

Girish Raval (centre) presents the Encyclopedia to Rev Fr Patrick (left). President Juvenal (right) officiated.

Rev Fr Patrick Murunga is a Catholic Priest from Kakagema County in Kenya. He has come as a temp priest to a church in the UK. He visited the Club to collect a gift of Encyclopedias for the St Elizabeth Lureko Girls Secondary School in Kakagema County.

Rotarian Mrs Anna Croghan was inducted on 1st November 2017 at the Meeting of the Club which was held at Browns in Cardinal Place, Victoria.

Outgoing Club President Angela Campbell inducting Incoming President Dr Josephine Ojiambo for the Rotary Year 2017-18.

Incoming President Dr Josephine Ojiambo took over as President of the Rotary Club of Westminster West from Outgoing President Angela Campbell on 21 June 2017.

This is the Charter of the Rotary Club of Westminster West which was Granted on 2nd March 1945.

The Club's 70th Anniversary fell on 2nd March 2015. The Club held a Black Tie Gala Dinner on this day to Celebrate this event.

The Rotarians of Westminster West Welcome You To Their Club.

The Club has raised funds and undertaken several large and small projects both within the UK and in the International Arena. The Projects documented on this website are listed below. Go to the 'What We Do' tab to read about these Projects.

The Banner of the Rotary Club of Westminster West

Come and meet us and get to know our Club.

The Club Held An International Evening

The Club held an International Evening and raised funds towards the total required for the provision of a Library to the Lokusero Secondary School in the Laikipia District in Kenya.

Ms Felicia Munjadi was presented the Rotary Recognition Award as an acknowledgement of her Special Services to Rotary.

Westminster West Supports Local Community Projects and Recognises Individuals Who Assist the Club In Its Activities.

The dance group Semillas de Bolivia performed at our International Night.

Over the years, the Club has raised funds in support of several International Projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Rotarians and Guests at the Past Presidents Day Lunch on 14th May 2014

The Club held its Annual Past Presidents Day Luncheon on 14th May 2014. Past President Clive Knowles chaired this Meeting. Other Senior Rotarians who attended included PP Arvind Barve, PP James Allie, PP Robert Crane, PP Elwin Cummings Palmer & AG Francis

The Club inducted Dr Aruna Mannie as a Rotarian on 19th October 2016.

Salutations, Rotary Grace and a silent mark of respect to the late President Nelson Mandela.

The Secrets are out ; 1). how to park a Rolls Royce in Central London for a £25 month; 2). Who lies behind a Happy Woman in Iceland and who is responsible for a Successful Man in England; 3). Which Club had an encounter with Alcoholics Anonymous;

The Launch of the Lifeboat Project - a fascinating insight into the magnificent achievement of the Rotary Club of Westminster West which raised funds for the Lifeboat named "ROTARY SERVICE" - RNLI Official Number (ON) 1031 and Operational Number 50-001.

Rotarian H.E. Ambassador Gabriel Machinga and Rotarians of Westminster West co-hosted a Fund Raising Evening at Zimbabwe House on The Strand in London.

Funds were raised to Support the Provision of a Library to the Chirovakamwe Primary School in Mutare, Zimbabwe and Information Technology to the St. Elizabeth Lureko Girls' Secondary School in Mumias, Kakagema County, Kenya.

The School is located in Mumias, Kakamega County, Western Kenya (see Arrow on Map)

Funds were raised for the provision of Information Technology(IT) to the School. The IT systems were purchased and shipped to Mombasa and then onto Mumias. The aim is to improve the IT Literacy of as many Pupils as possible.

Westminster West Rotarians visited the Centre in Zimbabwe

The Rotarians of Westminster West visited the Chikuku Youth Centre in Zimbabwe in November 2012. They had facilitated the supply of tools, machinery and two water tanks, and then visited to review the progress at the Centre.

Handover of the Water Tanks at a ceremony on 25th May 2013.

These three Projects provide sustainable sources of clean water and sanitation for three communities with large numbers of children in Entebbe, Uganda. Project Duration Jan 2012- Nov 2013.

Secondary School Students in their smart uniforms at the Starehe Girls' Centre in Nairobi Kenya

In 2012, the Rotary Club of Westminster West Sponsored a Girl Student for the Entire Duration of Her Four Year Secondary Education at the Starehe Girls' Centre in Nairboi, Kenya. She Completed her Secondary Education in December 2015.

Desks and Chairs provided for School Children

Provision of essential items of furniture, laboratory equipment, books and uniforms to some rural schools and a van to transport physically challenged children to school in the Chickjajur Area of Karnataka in India. The Project was completed in March 2007

Leaflet to promote the fund raising for this Project.

Project to support the vulnerable children of Puno in Peru.

Bolivian Dance Troupe called Semillas de Bolivia entertained the Rotarians and their Guests.

Project to provide sewing machines and sewing accessories to the local branch of the Bolivian Institute for the Blind to enable the Institute to enhance its self help programmes for those who are blind or partially sighted.

Funds were raised for the Widows and Orphans of Genocide in Rwanda and sent to AVEGA which is a Charity in Kigali, Rwanda.

This is now an eco-centric Park providing green cover and recreational facilities to the populations living in the area through which the river flows.

Convert a five kilometre long stretch of the Mutha River Bank from a dump yard to a friendly, flood resistant Park, for the benefit of society as well as to enhance the awareness of the delicate ecology of the river and human settlements.

Map showing the location of Amman in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

A joint project between the Rotary Club of Amman and the Rotary Club of Westminster West to provide essential medical equipment to the National Tuberculosis Center in Amman, Jordan.

Map showing the location of Bukoba in Northern Tanzania, on the Western shore of Lake Victoria, close to the border with Uganda.

Two Class Rooms were needed for the school in Bukoba. Fund raising events were held in 1998 and 2000. These events raised funds to build the class rooms for the school.

The Jaipur Limb Centre - Jaipur, India

The Rotary Club of Westminster West and the Westminster Inner Wheel Club adopted this project as one of its main projects for which it contributed financial support over a period beginning 1991 to 1995.

Map showing the town of Bonthe in Sherbro Island, Sierra Leone.

A British VSO Volunteer Nurse was sponsored to work as a Nurse/Mid-wife at a Clinic in Bonthe in Sierra Leone.