Club News

Chris and Joy Hopkins recently came to talk to Faversham Rotary Club about the work of the Royal British Legion and the Annual Poppy Appeal.

The Royal British Legion supports members of the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, veterans and their families. That support might be for physical and mental wellbeing, for financial and employment support, or providing local community connections.

Chris and Joy both have military connections and Chris was asked to be a local Poppy Appeal Organiser (PAO) so he volunteered Joy as well and they have been the PAOs for the Faversham District for a number of years now.

Their role includes ordering the poppies and collection tins and distributing them to about 150 local shops, restaurants, pubs & businesses. Local schools are also involved. Chris & Joy also arrange a stall in Faversham Market – often accompanied by a tank!

Up to June 2023, more than £180,000 has been raised in Faversham and the Annual Poppy Appeal is a significant fund-raiser for all aspects of the Legion’s work.

This year’s Poppy Appeal will be from 26^th October to 12^th November, the two weeks leading up to Remembrance Sunday. There will be collection points at local supermarkets, looked after by teams of volunteers, including Scouts and Army and Air Training Corps Cadets.

Visit www.britishlegion.org.uk to find out more about the work of the Royal British Legion and how you can volunteer to help.

Scott Reeve congratulates Doug Rogers on becoming President for the new Rotary year.

Outgoing President Scott Reeve was asked to sum up his year. Here’s what he said:-

"The last twelve months have been very positive for the Rotary Club of Faversham. My personal highlights were the ever-popular Christmas Carol tour, The Faversham Family Bike ride and our annual Purple for Polio campaign. In May we welcomed over forty Rotarians from our European contact clubs to mark our 75^th anniversary."

Scott was pleased that the Club had responded quickly to the dreadful earthquake in Turkey/Syria and raised enough money to send 3 Shelter Boxes to the stricken area. 

Scott continued, “Supporting the local community remains at the heart of what we do. We have supported local care homes and young carers in Faversham. The club enjoys making a difference in both the local community and further afield.”

The Club’s new President is Douglas Rogers.

Doug is looking forward to representing Faversham Rotary Club again, having previously been President in 1995/6. He lives in Selling with Sylvia, he is a Chartered Surveyor and is semi-retired from his property consultancy business Harrisons Chartered Surveyors, based in Maidstone.

"Youth and the Environment"  will be the main themes for the Club during Doug’s year as President.

Asked about the forthcoming year, Doug said “I’m keen to maintain close links with local schools and youth organisations in respect of educational, recreational and sporting   activities.” 

He added, “I know the Club will continue with its traditional fund raising activities to support the local  community.”

Doug continued, “I also wish to support Rotary International projects, particularly Water Aid and Aquabox, as they provide clean water, a basic human requirement as has been highlighted recently by the Ukraine Flood disaster.”

Under Doug’s leadership, there’s a busy year ahead for Faversham Rotary Club.

This year Faversham Rotary is celebrating the 75^th anniversary of its founding in 1948.

To mark this significant milestone the Club hosted a weekend visit from its three contact clubs – Harderwijk in the Netherlands, Soest-Lippstadt in Germany and Bogense in Denmark. The connection with the contact clubs is nearly as long as the history of the Faversham club, so it was a great pleasure to greet over 40 guests from the three clubs.

There was a busy weekend of varied activities for the visitors and their hosts, starting with either a visit to the beautiful Sissinghurst Castle Gardens or a round of golf at Faversham Golf Club. The weather was not at its best – drizzle and light rain – but that did nothing to dampen the enjoyment.

Friday evening was the occasion for a tasty hog roast followed by a very lively barn dance, with music from Abbey Capers and their caller, who soon had everyone on their feet. Not all the feet went in the right direction but that was all part of the fun!

The following morning, the Taittinger vineyard at Selling was the venue for a very interesting tour and talk from Mark Gaskain. The first bottles of Domaine Evremond English sparkling wine were not quite ready for sale, but the grapes have been pressed and bottled and it won’t be long now!

A light lunch at the White Lion at Selling was followed by a short break in the programme when hosts and guests could “do their own thing” for a few hours.

Then it was time to get out the posh frocks and formal suits for a black tie dinner at Faversham Golf Club. Speeches from Club President Scott Reeve and visiting club Presidents were followed by a delicious dinner, some light entertainment from the overseas Rotarians and dancing to the Rocking Badgers.

Sunday morning was the opportunity for some history with a visit to see Faversham’s magnificent royal charters, including its own Magna Carta. Hosts and guests then walked across the Market Place to the Guildhall which contains wooden panels listing the town’s mayors from the late 13^th century to the present day. Coffee and cake were served before the guests left for their home countries.

All agreed that it had been a most enjoyable weekend, with the chance to renew contacts with old friends and also to make new ones of course. Fun and fellowship are two cornerstones of Rotary and the weekend certainly did its best to live up to them. What a birthday party that was!!