Christmas Lunch

We were delighted to hand over a cheque for £1000 to the North Devon Chemotherapy Appeal

Shelterbox Collection Days

Two very successful days of collecting for Shelterbox at the Big Sheep in December

Judging of YOUNG CHEF Entrants

On Thursday 29 September 2011, Bideford Rotary Youth Committee members Tom Waters, Sue Bartley, Gail Hickman and myself went to Bideford College to assist with the judging of their entrants for the Young Chef competition heats. Other judges were Tom Lewis from Petrock College, Bideford College tutors Steph Dryer and Kelly, and the first Young Chef winner Adam Atkins. Adam is going to be working at a holiday park in France as Head Chef.

The kitchen facilities are first class and the record entry of 19 students had worked really hard to produce a wonderful array of dishes, so after a quick apology to our tummies, we waded into the sampling of 38 dishes. The standard of cooking gets higher each year so selecting the winners was noteasy, but eventually Matt Shepard's main course of Hunters Chicken and the Apple Samoosa dessert won him first place, closely followed by Saskia England. Congratulations to all the entrants for a job well done.

(Rotarian Roy Drew 29/09/2011)

on Sunday 28 August was a huge success and raised almost £3000. A big thank you to everyone that supported us and helped make it a fun filled day.

Click here to see the pics

(Login is: bidefordrotary@gmail.com and password is: rotary)

Bideford Rotary2010/ 2011Club President James Corkery has now ended his 2010/2011 term of office. His year started with the Water Festival, the proceeds of which helped support RNLI, Air Ambulance, Chestnut Appeal and several other smaller charities.Much fun was had at various social functions throughout the year while raising approximately £25,000. This enabled Bideford Rotary to support many charities - The Whitaker Trust, the 2nd Bideford Scouts, Bideford Inner Wheel, the Bideford Youth Pipe Band, Westcroft School, North Devon Athletics and many more. We planted crocuses at 9 schools, donated dictionaries, supported Ethiopian Wells, Young Bideford Carers, Bideford Rehabilitation centre and Polio Plus.We have generously supported Shelterbox, raising enough funding for more than 182 shelter boxes.The enjoyable (and exhausting) experience of opening and running the Rotary Charity Shop in Bideford raised over £4000.The Dublin Conference was well supported by Bideford club and enjoyed immensely by those that attended. President James recommends all Rotarians attend at least one conference if possible, to get to know fellow Bideford Rotarians on a more intimate level and forge true bonds of friendship.Richard Williams takes over from James Corkery as Club President for 2011/2012.

Club History

The Rotary Club of Bideford was formed in 1925, the Club Charter being granted from 27th May 1925. The Mayor of Bideford, Dr E J Toye was appointed the first president of the Club. A cable expressing congratulations and best wishes was received from the Biddeford & Saco Rotary Club in Maine, U.S.A. 
In 1955, using the spade which the Duke of Edinburgh had used to plant a tree to commemorate his visit to Bideford in 1952, President of Bideford Rotary Club (D.W.Friendship) planted the first of five trees at the rear of the Port Memorial Gardens to mark the 50th anniversary of the Rotary Movement. 
In 1975 in celebration of Bideford Rotary's 50th anniversary, a new £5,000 ambulance was presented to the St. John Ambulance Association.
2005 was the year of Rotary's Centenary, and Bideford Rotary's 80th anniversary. Visitors from Biddeford & Saco were hosted, and at the special luncheon there was a display of photos relating to the relationship between the American and Devon Clubs. President Ron Blick dedicated a bed of 100 roses in Victoria Park. 
In addition to the links with the namesake club in the U.S.A.,there are similar links with the Rotary Club of Uelzen, Germany. Visits are made to both clubs, and we host members of those clubs in return.