This year Faversham Rotary is celebrating the 75th 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 13th 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!!