Club News

Harderwijk Rotary Club celebrates it’s 75^th Anniversary this year. It is one of Faversham Rotary’s contact clubs, another being Soest-Lippstadt in Germany.

Eight Faversham Rotarians and their partners made the journey to Harderwijk, where they were joined by the same numbers from Soest-Lippstadt, for an enjoyable weekend with a varied programme of activities.

Friday started with a nine hole golf tournament or a visit to Het Loo Palace, a former royal residence. In the evening a delicious Indonesian buffet was served at the Vischafslag, the old fish auction building, where our Dutch hosts welcomed us in song.

Project Waterfront was the topic for Saturday morning, with a presentation about this development of Harderwijk’s harbour followed by a boat trip to see the changes from the water. Fortunately the rain held off, as we were all in open boats!

Saturday evening was the Anniversary Gala Dinner, attended by 75 guests – was that a coincidence? The Club Presidents made speeches and members of the visiting clubs provided some of the entertainment. Faversham presented their version of the two Ronnies ‘Class System’ sketch and Soest-Lippstadt performed Queen’s ‘We Will Rock You’ with lyrics adapted for the occasion. Dancing to a six-piece rock band rounded off the evening.

The survivors met on Sunday morning at Harderwijk Athletic Club where there was a bit of competitive javelin throwing. Not real javelins, of course, but vortex whizz balls used for training purposes. This wasn’t Faversham’s finest moment but we finished in third place!!

All too soon it was time to say goodbye after a great weekend of fun and fellowship where friendships had been renewed, new friends made and memories created.  

Next year in Soest-Lippstadt for their 70^th anniversary!

Organised by Faversham Rotary Club, this year’s Bike Ride took place on Sunday 12^th May and for the third year running the weather was fine and sunny. More than 160 riders set out on the 12.5 km route, started on their way by Cllr Trevor Martin, Mayor of Faversham.

Starting and finishing at the Abbey School, the riders cycled through the countryside around Faversham. One cyclist was heard to say that she hadn’t realised what beautiful scenery was so close to town.

Three generations of riders – children, parents and grandparents – were in some of the family groups. The youngest cyclists who completed the route under their own pedal power were just four years old. Well done!

All that fresh air and exercise meant that the 1^st Faversham Scouts were kept busy cooking for the cyclists when they returned. A total of 84 bacon baps were consumed!

Generous sponsorship from local businesses and trusts means that the event has generated funds for the Rotary Club, money that will be put to good use supporting local organisations. Thanks go to everyone involved, but particularly the cyclists who took part.  

See you all again next year!

And finally, the last word must go to the young rider who told one of the marshals that he’d had a great time. He’d seen horses and a donkey, but the star of the show was a little mouse that had run across the road in front of his bike. “I just love all this nature.”

St George’s Day was marked by the club with dinner for forty members & friends and a guest speaker. There was bunting with the flag of St George and tables were also decorated. Red was a popular choice for clothes and there were red roses in several buttonholes.

Chef Richard at Faversham Golf Club served a dinner of traditional English Fayre – a roast beef main course, followed by bread & butter pudding with custard. Delicious!

Heather Knight FSA was the guest speaker. Heather is a Senior Archaeologist at the Museum of London Archaeology. She specialises in the Elizabethan & Jacobean playhouses in London, which were the subject for her very informative and entertaining talk.

Heather explained how modern archaeological investigations are uncovering new evidence which challenges the previously held views about London’s early playhouses.

Shakespeare would of course have known some of these playhouses, both as playwright and actor. He died in 1616 on the 23^rd April – the same day that St George’s Day is celebrated.

There was a table-top quiz which severely tested most guests’ knowledge about St George, although one table scored maximum points. How did they manage that?

All in all, an interesting and fun evening.