Club News

The first Club meeting of 2021 had an international flavour when our European contact clubs joined us for an on-line get together. It was lovely to see familiar faces on screen and it was interesting to find out how other clubs are adapting to cope with these challenging times.

Faversham Rotary has four contact clubs – Harderwijk in the Netherlands, Bogense in Denmark, Vadstena in Sweden and Soest-Lippstadt in Germany.

We keep in touch with each other regularly, sometimes collaborating on projects but mainly we meet up at least once a year for a weekend of fun and fellowship. We take it in turn to host visits, sometimes just a couple of clubs getting together, sometimes all five clubs meeting up for a long weekend.

Last year’s visit had to be cancelled and at the moment this year’s is also in doubt, but we’ll be catching up with each other in person as soon as we can.

In the meantime there’s always another zoom…….!

The Club has recently been awarded a Certificate of Appreciation for its financial support to Rotary's campaign to eradicate polio worldwide.  Many thanks to everyone for the fundraising and financial support.

Davington School pupils with their cards

Covid-19 restrictions may have cancelled the annual Christmas lunch for senior citizens and the popular Christmas Carol Float which toured the town collecting for local charities, but that has not stopped Faversham Rotary Club finding novel ways to remember members of the community at this time of year.
 
On learning that there are 59 Young Carers, aged from 7 – 17 years, in our area we decided to collect gifts and to parcel these up to be distributed to them, to let them know how valued they are. They will receive gift vouchers and a range of other goodies, including woolly hats generously donated by a Rotarian.
 
Carnalea and Cooksditch Residential Homes will receive cakes baked by volunteers from Sheldwich WI, mince pies from Fillers and individual small gifts donated by Rotary members or chosen with love and care by one of Faversham Rotary’s keenest shoppers. Gifts are also being delivered to all the Almshouses residents.
 
Support came from several local businesses, including the Pilgrims Hospice Shop, Morrisons and Macknade Food Hall. It was a great team effort.

The children at Davington Primary and St Mary’s of Charity Primary schools have also participated by designing Christmas cards and writing seasonal messages to the residents of the Care Homes and the Faversham Almshouses.

Rotary Club President, Michael Hoey, said “Faversham Rotary was determined to bring Christmas to those who might feel alone or struggling. The generosity of friends, individual members and the generous surprise contribution from the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers, whose Master happens to be Rotarian David Simmons, has ensured a very wide distribution of gifts in what has been a most challenging time for everyone.”