A Day Of Fun And Friendship

At last year's Summerfest, our members spent most of the time “sheltering” our colleagues and display performers in our Shelter Box tent as the rain poured down.

This year no Shelter Box involvement and no need for shelter as the early cloud lifted, the sun shone all day and it was shade, not shelter the enthusiastic crowd wanted.

Congratulations to our daughter club, Rotary Club of Mayflower for being blessed with gorgeous weather but for, again, staging a carnival event which seemed to attract many more visitors than last year.

We had a stand showing the flag for the Soapbox Derby and were represented by Roger Kettle, Patrick Rothon, Peter Greene, Ed Harrison, Les Sheppard and Trevor Stansfield.  On show at the stand, and at major entrances, were six soapboxes from Quilters Junior School, Basildon Cleansing Department (not one but two!), Rotary Club of Mayflower, Calamity Jane and Complete Carnage.

Magic Ice Cream

Quilters' RotaKids had a stand selling customised stress balls, key rings and water bottles designed by themselves, while the newly-formed Buttsbury Junior School RotaKids' stand showed their game - “the Magic Ice cream” - where kids chose an ice cream and found a hidden message which was either a lucky dip, a prize or a “Sorry – Try Again”.

Headteacher Mike Wade and Quilters RotaKids leader Helen Kilby supported their Quilters pupils and, for Buttsbury, deputy head Sally Lavelle devoted her time to their efforts.  Each RotaKids club raised over £200 for their chosen charity – well done, them!

Melted Cheese, Anyone?

Spare a thought for the cheese and pie man – by the end of the day all his cheeses were liquid in the heat. Inevitably, the beer tent did bristling trade, as did the ice-cream van.

Entertainment was all there with stage music show groups and, in the arena, amongst other acts, the annual dog show, Dance Steps Academy and the Bailor Dance group from Basildon all performed.

You could lose count of the cars on show in a huge vintage vehicle display – maybe around a hundred. Just a guess!Well done, Mayflower for another wonderful Rotary day of fun and friendship.