Club News

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) are about encouraging teenagers to develop their potential through teamwork and leadership and their ability to face up to and overcome challenges in structured and safe surroundings.

The picture shows a team-building exercise.

Faversham Rotary sponsored two teenagers, Pru and Patrick, to attend the most recent RYLA weekend and they came to speak to club members about their experiences there.

The weekend was held at the Bowles Outdoor Activity Centre. It lasted 3 days and was attended by 20+ teenagers. 

Here is what a recent attendee had to say about RYLA: 

"I was nervous at first, but soon made friends and it was really good fun. Some of the challenges surprised me because I pushed myself further than before. The food was great too. Thanks to all the leaders and my sponsors.”

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.