Club News

Club members recently enjoyed a presentation about the Strode Park Foundation, which is based at Herne, with residential homes in Canterbury, Faversham and Medway, as well as Herne.

Karen Jeal and Lauren Clark, pictured with club President David Kirsch-Mills holding Basil Bear the Strode Park mascot, spoke about the work of the Foundation and its activities.

The Foundation provides residential care, support services and supported living opportunities to children, young people and adults with a range of disabilities. There are currently some 165 residents and clients across all the homes and services, which include day opportunities and respite & short breaks.

Karen & Lauren explained that the ideals of independence, well-being and choice underpin all the services, enabling people to live life the way they chose. An example of this was that some clients of Lady Dane Farmhouse in Faversham were supported to enable them to vote in the recent general election. At another home,  a resident who’s a keen Arsenal supporter was able to attend a match at the Emirates stadium.

Through the summer months the Theatre in the Park music events at Herne are very popular and the 300 seat venue is usually a sell-out, an important fund-raising boost for the Foundation. 

Karen & Lauren also said there were lots of opportunities for individuals and groups to volunteer to help the Foundation and there’s more information at www.strodepark.org.uk

RYLA provides an experience where “young people can develop leadership skills while having fun and making connections”.

Faversham Rotary sponsored two Explorer Scouts to attend the recent RYLA event at the Bowles Rock Centre. Charlie and Ben came to a Club meeting to tell members about their experiences.

They had both been a bit anxious before the weekend, as they would be meeting and working with new people and facing challenges that would take them outside their comfort zones. However the ‘ice-breaking’ session on arrival soon got everyone talking.

There was a full programme of activities, including low & high rope circuits and sledging on the dry ski slopes – which were actually slippery and wet due to all the rain!

The night crawl obstacle course, blindfolded and in the rain, certainly tested their communication skills as all members of each team had to stay in contact with each other. Singing helped to ease the tension.

The team puzzle was another activity which required good team work to develop a strategy for solving the problem.

Charlie and Ben had clearly enjoyed the experience and had taken the challenges in their stride. They said that their leadership skills had improved, they’d benefited from the team work involved, had made friends who they’re still in contact with and the food was good and plentiful.

And finally, the programme was so busy that they’d hardly had time to use their mobile phones!

At the President’s handover evening on 25^th June at Faversham Golf Club, outgoing President Doug Rogers summed up his year, “We have achieved a great deal, raised funds and given donations at an exceptional level in 2023/24 and we still have the playground, the medical hub and the Taonga projects continuing into 2024/25.

“I’d like to say very well done to Club members and the residents of Faversham for their support of the club’s events in the past year.

“It is 28 years since I was last President. I have thoroughly enjoyed my year and feel privileged to have been the Club President for a second time.

“I hope that new President David will enjoy his second stint at the helm as much as I have.”

Incoming President David Kirsch-Mills said, “First of all, on behalf of the Club, I would like to thank Doug for his leadership and dedication to the Club over the last year as President. It has been a busy year.

“The year ahead is also looking busy with the Carol Tour and the Family Bike Ride in the calendar, along with other smaller events, and the Community Chest Fund is close to being launched.

“There are several ongoing local projects which will continue into the new Rotary year, together with the exciting Taonga project to provide new toilets for a school in a very deprived area of Zambia.

“And the social side of the Club will not be forgotten.”

David concluded, “I look forward to working with you all to make the coming year enjoyable and successful.”