Musical Fundraiser

Our Music in the Garden festival used to be a regular event in the club calendar, with members, friends and the public all enjoying a picnic lunch and music from a live band. We’ve had a Jazz band, a Blues band and other music genres in the past, but our last event was pre-covid. Time to bring it back?

Best Seller

So it was with great delight that we decided to resurrect this event, and on July 27 about 40 club members and friends assembled at Patrick and Carol Rothon's garden for an afternoon picnic with music provided this year by the Ladybirds where we were welcomed by our President Steve King (his first event as President)

Joining In

The Ladybirds did two sets and as usual did a fine job providing the entertainment. They sang a range of songs dating from the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s. While there was not much dancing by the participants, the Ladybirds got many of us joining in and swinging our arms while they sang Sweet Caroline.

It may have done some good – the Lionesses won the Women’s Euro 2025 final later that day!

The presence of two of Patrick and Carol’s grandchildren and also Roger and Sarah Kettle’s German Shepherd dog Abby added to the enjoyment of the afternoon …. and also lowered the age profile more than a little.

Successful Fundraiser

The Ladybirds do what they can to raise money for charity and last year they sang at around 145 events. Not only did they not charge for their performance at our event, but they also handed over a generous donation for St. Luke’s Hospice of £120. They were thanked both for their singing and their donation by President Steve King.

Further money was raised by ticket purchases by those present on the day of about £940, and also a raffle at the event which raised £230. When Gift Aid is also taken into account at £235, a total of around £1,525 (including the Ladybirds donation) was raised for St. Luke’s, a very good outcome.

All in all a very enjoyable and worthwhile afternoon in good company.

By Nick Street

And a last word from Brian Wellman Rotary Club of Billericay Secretary, and a Trustee of St. Luke’s Hospice, who said. “The Rotary Club of Billericay is always looking for ways it can work for the Local Community, so our recent Music in the Garden fundraiser with singing by the Ladybirds was a great initiative, and a lovely way to come together on a summer’s afternoon with picnics, music and friendship. As a Trustee of St. Luke’s Hospice we are very grateful to receive a cheque to the value of £1525 from this event, and also thankful to the Ladybirds who made no charge for their performances AND even made a donation of £120 (included in the above £1525). This donation could pay for 75 visits to patients in their own homes, or nearly 10 hours of In-Patient nursing care.”

On August 11, Brian went along to St Luke’s Hospice and presented the cheque for the £1525 to Melanie White, Director of Care and Quality at St. Luke’s Hospice, accompanied by Nurses Carrina, Lorraine and Pauline. (Pauline is a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow and President of Wickford Rotary Club for the fourth year in a row - Ed.)