Farnborough Rotary Club

We were delighted to welcome students from All Hallows Catholic School and The Wavell School, who told us about their week-long RYLA outward-bound course in Surrey.From rock climbing and kayaking to raft building and archery, it was a week of new friendships, new challenges and new horizons.Mary Madine, our Youth & Vocations Team Leader, presented their award certificates.More about RYLA: rotary.org/en/get-involved/y…

Too early to talk about December — Halloween comes first! 🎃 We’ve been busy painting, checking and maintaining some of our equipment for later in the year. Now safely back in storage. Get carving those pumpkins — more December news next month! 👀

Club member Keith Holland, ShelterBox District Coordinator for Rotary South D1145, was joined by Tim Dunkley at the Godalming Rotary Clubs' Duck Race to display ShelterBox equipment, including a tent for up to 10 people. Funds support Cut-Out Cancer and ShelterBox.

🌍 £3,100+ raised for ShelterBox Nepal relief! Huge thanks to donors, RushmoorRotary, CamberleyRotary & the local Gurkha community for an incredible weekend of giving. Still want to help? Donate here: 🔗 shelterbox.org #ShelterBox #Nepal

Great to welcome @RushmoorCouncil’s Deputy Mayor Cllr Jib Belbase and Cllr Kevin Betsworth (Rowhill) to our lunch meeting. They joined Club President Chris Harding and Keith Holland (ShelterBox District Coordinator, Rotary South D1145) to discuss our Nepal disaster relief collections, now live at the entrances to Princes Mead and tomorrow (Sunday) at The Meadows. Please support if you can. #Rotary #ShelterBox #NepalFloods #Rushmoortoday

The horrific situation in Nepal will not have escaped your notice. This weekend, Farnborough Rotary Club, supported by @RushmoorRotaryClub and the @RotaryClubofCamberley—along with friends of club members and a local councillor—will be collecting donations for ShelterBox, which already has teams on the ground supporting people in the worst-affected areas. You will be able to find us on: 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟱 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿, 𝟵𝗮𝗺–𝟰𝗽𝗺: 𝗔𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲. 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟲 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿, 𝟭𝟬𝗮𝗺–𝟰𝗽𝗺: 𝗔𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲, 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀 & 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿. If you see us, please consider making a donation. Card readers will be available for those who do not have cash. Unable to join us? You can donate online at shelterbox.org/. Thank you for your support.

🎉 Big news! Farnborough Rotary, together with 10 local Rotary clubs and others in India, Ireland and Japan have raised £97,551.50 via a Rotary Global Grant to equip & furnish all 18 new in-patient rooms at @PhyllisTuckwell’s new hospice. Huge thanks to Jenny and Laura at the hospice & the amazing Rotary team behind this 3‑yr project. Rotary spirit in action! 💛 #Rotary #GlobalGrant #PhyllisTuckwell #FarnboroughRotary

Proud to support Rushmoor Borough Council’s Ukrainian Independence Day event at St Peter’s School last Monday, by providing & erecting a marquee, gazebos, tables & chairs. There’s more to us than marquees! Curious about joining us? Register interest: rotary-ribi.org/clubs/member…

For many years, our club has enjoyed a close relationship with Knellwood War Memorial Care Home on Canterbury Road. This morning, our members were at Knellwood to erect marquees and gazebos for their forthcoming Family Day and the annual 𝗞𝗻𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘄𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗲𝘁𝗲, that takes place on 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝟯𝟭 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁. Everyone knew exactly what they were doing, and the job was soon completed—leaving time for refreshments before we headed off. Just one of the many ways our club supports the local community!

It began as just another Thursday lunch meeting. Our President invited several members to speak on key matters, including funding decisions, when Katy Harris rose with a “special announcement.” She spoke about a member who has consistently gone above and beyond in their service to the club and the local community. When the name was revealed, the reaction was one of genuine surprise and disbelief. While all the rest of us already knew - having supported the nomination - it will come as no surprise to those who follow our work that the recipient was Mary Madine. Mary has featured in many of our updates through her dedicated leadership of the Youth & Vocations Team. In recognition of her outstanding contribution, President Martin Sampson proudly presented her with a Paul Harris Fellowship Award - one of Rotary’s highest honours, awarded to individuals who demonstrate exceptional service. Congratulations, Mary - a truly well-deserved recognition.

For several years, our Youth & Vocations Team, led by Mary Madine, has supported local secondary school students through the Rotary Young Artist, Young Musician, and Young Writer competitions. This year marked an exciting new chapter. After 12 months of work with local primary and junior schools, we celebrated our first-ever Rotary Junior Community Award (RJCA). The RJCA is a year-long, non-competitive programme for Year 6 pupils (ages 10–11), open to all. Every child who completes the award is recognised with a certificate and Community Champion badge at a special ceremony. On Friday 12 June, Club President Martin Sampson, joined by Mary, visited Holly Lodge Primary Academy to present awards to seven proud recipients. They were warmly welcomed by Deputy Head Teacher Amy Taylor, who has supported the initiative throughout. Martin also spoke to all Year 6 pupils and inspired Year 5 students to get involved next year - prompting an enthusiastic sea of hands from those eager to take part. Congratulations go to Ben, Elena, Imogen, George, Alex, Joseph and Shayan for their fantastic efforts and achievements

𝗥𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆’𝘀 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳 - 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗧 𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 It is with great regret that the Rotary Club of Farnborough announces that it will not be proceeding with plans to stage the Music in the Park concerts in July 2027. We recognise this will be disappointing news to our many supporters and regular attendees. Over recent months, we have carefully reviewed the event’s viability in consultation with Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care, alongside our sponsors and contractors. Unfortunately, rising and increasingly uncertain costs, combined with less predictable income from ticket sales, sponsorship, and advertising, mean we cannot be confident of delivering the event on a financially sound basis. Any potential loss would ultimately fall to the Club’s members, which is not a risk we can responsibly take. Music in the Park has been a tremendous success over more than 20 years, raising in excess of £500,000 for Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care. This achievement has only been possible thanks to the unwavering support of our local community, sponsors, volunteers, and everyone who has attended and contributed over the years. We are deeply grateful to you all. We would like to reassure our supporters of the following: · Music in the Park is not being abandoned. Its feasibility will be reviewed each year, and if economic conditions improve to a point where it can be delivered sustainably, we will look to bring it back to King George V Playing Fields. · Supporting Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care remains central to our fundraising efforts. · We will soon begin introducing new and varied events for the Farnborough community and beyond. · These events are likely to take place more frequently than Music in the Park, offering more regular opportunities for community engagement. We hope for your understanding as we respond to these challenges and explore new ways to bring people together while continuing to support vital local causes. We would also warmly welcome any ideas or suggestions you may wish to share. Tony Myers Team Lead, MIP Management Team Rotary Club of Farnborough Email: [email protected] Mobile: 07771 977059

Last Thursday, club members, partners, and friends enjoyed a guided visit to St Michael’s Abbey in Farnborough. Our tour was led by Brother Aelred, a Benedictine monk, who brought to life the rich history of this remarkable “treasure trove” of faith and heritage. We learned how the abbey and monastery were founded in the late 1800s by Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III, as a final resting place for her husband. She also invited a community of French monks to establish the monastery, giving it its distinctive origins. The visit offered a fascinating insight into this peaceful site, tucked away just off the Farnborough Road. Highlights included the abbey church and crypt, where Napoleon III, Empress Eugénie, and their son, the Prince Imperial, are laid to rest. The afternoon concluded with a visit to the Abbey Shop. Group visits for clubs and societies can be arranged directly with the Abbey. Public tours take place every Saturday at 3pm. More information is available at farnboroughabbey.org/visitin…

News about the Donkey Derby tomorrow: ANNOUNCEMENT from the Rotary Clubs of Farnborough and Rushmoor. The FARNBOROUGH DONKEY DERBY 2026 will go ahead on Monday 25th May as planned. However, we are sad to announce that due to the extreme hot weather the donkey races will not take place and the dog show will not go ahead. This is for animal welfare reasons, as decided by our suppliers, and we hope that you will understand. All the other planned activities will be in full swing: 60-odd trade and charity stalls, the main arena act – the Extreme Mountain Bike Show, the children’s entertainer and bands performing on the stage. The fairground will be in attendance offering scary rides and various side shows. There will be several refreshment outlets, including plenty of ice cream to cool you down! Free parking is available on the King George V Playing Field where the event takes place (off Sycamore Road). WE HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL THERE! The event is still going ahead as planned - the gate price will be reduced to £2 per adult - notices will be posted to that effect at the entrances,

Every so often, a speaker at our weekly lunch truly captures both the hearts and minds of our members—and this week was one of those moments. We were delighted to welcome Rebekah Brown, Fostering Recruitment Officer at Hampshire County Council, who spoke passionately about fostering across the county. Rebekah shared her personal journey, recalling how, at just 12 years old, her family began fostering babies who later went on to be adopted. That early experience not only shaped her career but also led her to become a foster carer herself. Today, there are more than 1,700 children in care in Hampshire, ranging from babies to teenagers. These include unaccompanied minors, sibling groups, and children with additional needs and disabilities. Rebekah highlighted the vital role foster carers play and the urgent national shortage of around 6,500 carers. She also guided us through the different types of fostering, who can become a foster carer, and the journey involved. Most moving of all were the words of children who have experienced foster care: “I feel safe and loved. I don’t see it as being in foster care—I see it as being with family.” “Being in care has changed me in an amazing way, and there is no one to thank but my amazing carers.” It was an inspiring and thought-provoking talk, and Rebekah received a well-deserved round of applause from everyone present.

The sun is shining, the days are getting warmer, and the clocks go forward tonight — spring has arrived! 🌷 We’re also counting down to the Spring Bank Holiday on Monday, 25 May, when Farnborough Rotary and Rushmoor Rotary will host the 65th Donkey Derby at King George V Playing Fields, Sycamore Road, Farnborough. 🐴 Save the date — more details coming soon! Until then, enjoy the sunshine and have a wonderful weekend! ☀️

We have often spoken about the devastating impact cancer has on teenagers and young adults — a cause especially close to the heart of Roy Finney, one of our members, who lost his niece, Natasha, to the disease some years ago. In her memory, our club has once again chosen to support the Teenage and Young Adult Cancer (TYAC) charity, based at the Royal Surrey Hospital in Guildford. TYAC works tirelessly to help young people living with cancer enjoy as full and joyful a life as possible. Last week, we were honoured to welcome Ian and Karen Raine, Natasha’s parents, who shared moving stories showing how donations from the generous people of Farnborough make a real difference. From a giant garden cinema screen for a young person to watch The Lion King with friends, to a luxury yacht trip around the Isle of Wight complete with a Cordon Bleu meal — every experience brings moments of happiness and dignity to those facing such difficult times. We were also delighted to add to this year’s proceeds some extra “honey money” – donations from members in exchange for a jar of honey from our club beekeeper. Ian and Karen gratefully accepted our cheque on behalf of TYAC, continuing Natasha’s legacy of hope and compassion. Pictured: President Martin Sampson with Ian & Karen and Roy.