Autumn 2021Rotary Clubs around the Borough of Rochdale

Rotary clubs are membership organisations which help the local community and support a number of fantastic causes by raising money and other donations, mostly through events.

Rooted within their own communities, but with a global outlook, Rotary brings like-minded people together from all walks of life to give back to the community for the benefit of everyone.

There are five Rotary clubs in the Rochdale borough, and all of them would welcome you as a new member.

Rotary Club of Rochdale East

The Rotary Club of Rochdale East was formed in 1970. During the pandemic, club members met via Zoom each Tuesday evening and are now in the process of returning to regular face-to-face meetings at Rochdale Golf Club. Here, a meal is enjoyed by all before a talk or presentation from a guest speaker.

The club strongly believes in supporting and contributing to the local community.

President Graham Knox said: “We have given £1,300 to various causes, including polio, which is a big Rotary worldwide project, and a number of community-based interests that we have supported for a long time.

“We are linked into a lot of schools, especially for young achievers such as for ‘Photographer of the Year’ and ‘Chef of the Year’.

“We also accessed computer equipment that could be recycled for use by those children that didn’t have access to that equipment.”

New members are welcome. Contact the club secretary.

Email:
Web: www.rotaryclubofrochdaleeast.org.uk

Rotary Heywood 2020

Rotary Heywood 2020 started on 9 March 2020, and within days of the club coming into existence, the world went into lockdown.

The club adapted its plans and set to work helping the community wherever it could, delivering medication and hot meals to those who were vulnerable and shielding.

Through the year the club came up with new and innovative ways that the club could still operate as a service organisation.

Through hard work and the commitment of members, the club is now recognised throughout the town as ‘Rotary Heywood 2020, People of Action Acting in the Community’.

Membership is made up of men and women who all share the same vision: ‘To improve the lives of the people of Heywood and the international community’. In working towards achieving that aim, the club has made donations to local charities and causes as well as giving to international emergencies when called upon to do so.

President Mel Caffrey said she looking forward to “building on our achievements with some great projects planned for the coming months.”

Contact club secretary, Edwin Partridge.

Email:
Web: www.facebook.com/RotaryHeywood

Rotary Club of Rochdale

Rotary Club of Rochdale is celebrating its 95th anniversary in 2021, and has 24 active members, three honorary members and a friends group consisting of 13 people.

The club meets on the first and third Thursday of each month at the Royal Toby, Manchester Road, Castleton.

The club has provided continued support to Petrus and the Rochdale Foodbank and organises an annual Ascot Ladies Day at Nutters Restaurant in aid of the Rochdale Branch of the NSPCC.

A classic car show, which returns in 2022, has raised over £20,000 for various charities. Returning too in 2022 will be a cricket dinner, organised by former International umpire and former club president John Holder. Past guests have included Michael Holding, David Gower and Jonathan Agnew. The proceeds fund coaching for youth cricket throughout Rochdale.

The Geoff Butterworth Gallery run by the club can be found in the Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre and is open from 10am Thursday to Saturday with free admission. Regular fund-raising raffles are held to win Geoff’s artworks.

Other schemes supported by members include Rotary Shoebox, Urban Farm and Youth Speaks. The club is working with Rochdale Sixth Form College to produce future Youth Health Champions.

Club President Merrilyn Chadwick said: “I would recommend Rotary to people; it is a chance to give back to society and to help those in need, whether they are around the world or around the corner. The like-minded fellowship of our members gives the club a very special feel. I am looking forward to supporting our long-term projects as well as raising money to help my personal charities which are, Rochdale RSPCA, Rochdale Children’s Moorland Home and Mercy Ships.

“We are always happy to welcome new members and have a friends group for people who like to support our work."

Email:
Web: www.rotaryrochdale.org

Rotary Middleton

In comparison to other Rotary clubs, Middleton could be considered as small with just 15 members, however, these members plus, a good number of friends, achieve a phenomenal amount.

One of the highlights of the year is the Christmas float that has become a Middleton tradition for generations, since its first running over 50 years ago. Each year the float collections bring in funds that are used to support local groups, charities, and individuals. For example, over the last few years the club has funded defibrillators, sports equipment, archaeological digs, cooking equipment for uniformed groups, helped support school trips, supported the local ‘In Bloom’ efforts and helped to support local world champion junior ballroom dancers.

The club looks to partner local groups and charities to deliver projects around the town.

Partnering with the Friends of Hopwood Hall, the club is planning to organise an open-air concert next summer at Hopwood Hall, which will raise funds for both parties.

The team also raises money each November with a whisky tasting event, where guests are invited to sample up to six whiskies and learned connoisseurs impart their knowledge and experience of each tipple. That event raises money for the Rotary Foundation, which is Rotary International’s own charity, and Mikoroshoni Primary School in Kenya.

Meetings are likely to be a mixture of online Zoom meetings for Rotary business and ‘hopefully’ get togethers to meet socially and catch up with each other. It is often during these social times that the best ideas come forward and they are then developed at the club’s business meetings.

President Lee Wolf said: “I believe that Rotary isn’t just about fundraising, although this is important, it is more about ‘giving your time in service’. Being a member of Rotary Middleton fulfils my desire to give something back to my community, that something is my time. We at Rotary Middleton are a group of impassioned volunteers who care for their community and take pride in doing their service well. We are always looking for new members and if you think you like the sound of what we are doing, please consider joining us at a meeting to see us in action.”

Email:
Web: www.middletonrotary.org.uk

Rotary Club of Heywood

The Rotary Club of Heywood began in 1933. Like all Rotary Clubs, it works throughout the year to help both local and international charities – these may be for world disasters or local groups in need of help.

The club is supporting Springhill Hospice this year, and recently has donated to Rotary Foundation, Bury Hospice, Heywood Foodbank, tree planting, Shoe Aid, and a local football club. The club is also supporting the Little Monkeys charity shop in Heywood, with any quality used clothing and other items suitable for re-use.

Members give their time willingly, and regularly go out litter-picking, cleaning up around shops, and ‘grot-spot’ areas identified by the public.

The club’s standout is its Christmas Santa Sleigh, which is a massive attraction for excited local children, with its sound system for carols, and snow spray.

Christmas first begins with visits to several retirement homes in Heywood, giving residents a good festive party with mulled wine, chocolates and entertainment from talented local youngsters. Club members form ‘The Heavenly Choir’ and perform carols to finish the evening off in style.

Club secretary Carol Cadwallader said: “We are always seeking new members, both men and women, interested in joining Heywood Rotary, to enjoy both our charitable work, and our fortnightly social meetings.

“So please contact us, we will make you most welcome.”

Email:
Web: www.facebook.com/The-Rotary-Club-Of-Heywood