District 9350 visits District 1070

D9350, Western Cape, South Africa visits District 1070

Guests and hosts at the White Boar cafe at the Richard III Centre

In June, 10 delegates from D9350 representing 8 clubs came to the UK in glorious weather for most of the visit. There were due to be 12 visitors but sadly UK visa red tape prevented one couple from coming. The visitors were hosted by Rotarians throughout the district for two weeks. Host clubs included Market Harborough, Kibworth and Fleckney, Ashby Castle, Northampton West, Peterborough Ortons and Kimbolton Castle.

They were fortunate with the weather for the visit which for the most part stayed sunny and warm.

On the Sunday June 11th the visiting Rotarians arrived in Market Harborough. Highlights on this leg of the visit included Barnsdale Gardens, just north of Rutland Water, created by the late Gardener’s World presenter Geoff Hamilton and now run by his son Nick.

Other highlights were Oakham Castle in the centre of the town which dates back to Norman times.

Foxton Locks Inn provided the venue for an excellent Club Assembly dinner with Area Governor Richard Power and afterwards had a presentation about South Africa from Pieter. Van Aswegan. Club banners were also exchanged as they were throughout the two weeks.

On Tuesday they had the morning for some “down time” to wander round Market Harborough, visit the museum and some went to Foxton Locks and in some cases further afield. The afternoon saw everyone at Rockingham Castle whose history was brought to life by an excellent guide. The stunning grounds commanded an excellent view across much of the neighbouring countryside.

Guests and hosts at the White Boar cafe at the Richard III Centre

On the day of handover to Ashby de la Zouch Castle Club , they visited the Richard III Centre in Leicester. Many of our visitors were prepared for the visit before they left South Africa visit by watching the recently released movie “The Lost King” about how Richard III was discovered under the car park.

At Ashby Castle our guests enjoyed a traditional Fish and Chips supper and a game of skittles a show case of Rotary projects and a Park fun run for those who wished to take part. One of the highlights was a visit to Chatsworth House and gardens. A great job of organising this section was done by Debbie Hamilton from the Ashby Castle Club.
Ashby Castle club and visitors with Debbie Hamilton on the far right

At Northampton West the guests were treated to a brewery trip. Also included were the Charles Rennie Mackintosh house , a trip to the Silverstone Museum of the F1 racing circuit , Sulgrave Manor, the home of George Washington’s ancestors, the Sailability project at Pitsford Water which provides adapted boats for disabled sailors and bowls as well as some beautiful gardens. Thanks go to Paul and Chris Hunt and Allan and Sue Wilson for co-ordination this part of the exchange.

Chris Hunt (host) and Marlene Dietrich (guest)
at the Charles Rennie Mackintosh House

The final handover between Northampton West and Peterborough Ortons and Kimbolton Castle clubs took place as Stanwick Lakes over afternoon tea. They are part of the Nene Valley project, a Heritage Lottery funded project.

This final leg was organised by Nick and Gill Monsell and Les Ewen. Among many highlights were the organised tour of Trinity College Cambridge and Kings College Chapel as well as some walking around Cambridge and the Backs. Other places visited include the Shuttleworth museum with vintage bi planes and Peterborough Cathedral.

The exchange finished on Saturday 24th June after two weeks of glorious weather.

A big thank you to all the hosts in both countries who accommodated and accompanied their visitors. In total there were around 50 hosts in D1070 and about the same number in South Africa; a huge exercise in co-ordination. The handovers between the clubs all went very smoothly as did both visits. Ian Clarkson co-ordinated the exchange for District 1070 and Pieter Van Aswegan co-ordinated it for D9350 visitors from South Africa.

D9350 Rotarians visiting Trinity College, Cambridge