The Flying Scotsman passes through Ramsbottom - photo by kind permission of Joel Yates.
DetailsWe are always looking for people who would like to help or join, you can join as a full member, or as an associate member, or a corporate member. A full member is in a nutshell where you commit to taking part in activities. However this is your choice, you do as little or as much as you wish. We meet & dine every other week, but again you only attend when you want, you only dine when you want, there are no rules, you give your time to Rotary as you wish. An associate member is a trial period where you don't commit to full membership. Corporate membership is for a company that would like to be involved in charity work. We are the obvious choice for companies in and around Ramsbottom. And finally, you can be a Friend of Rotary, you help us when you have the time & the inclination.
We need help with IT, with this website, with social media, and with publicity. If you have an hour to spare please get in touch. Please email us at Ramsbottomrotary@gmail.com.
We currently have committees, which meet once a month, these are Fundraising, International, Comm Voc, and Social. Yes we do have socials, we have days out, we dine out, we go to the pub, have pub quizzes, and we have a good time and enjoy what we do.
Ramsbottom Rotary is a group of people, with nineteen members at the moment, we meet, discuss, plan and then hopefully raise funds and improve the lives of others. Our club is one of four in the District of Bury. There are 3 others, Bury, Radcliffe, and Tottington & Bury West.
Rotary membership is changing, there are no obligations anymore, do as little or as much as you wish. One thing for sure is you will make new friends, you will be able to do things or organize things. There is lots going on in Rotary.
Rotary is a worldwide organisation. There are thousands of Rotary Clubs around the world. The possibilities are endless if you wish to progress to something more than your local club.
On June 28th, retiring Rotary President Frank Unsworth welcomed Jon Lövgreen and Jennie into their roles in running Ramsbottom Rotary for the next 12 months. Jon paid tribute to Frank’s energetic and imaginative leadership, which had seen the club emerge quickly and strongly from the restrictions of the pandemic. Membership had increased, the Club enjoyed a record year for fundraising, and a full range of social events and visits had been arranged. Major events such as accompanying Father Christmas on his annual visit to the Ramsbottom area, the traditional Duck Race, and two major community Fun Days in conjunction with the Friends of Nuttall Park had all been great successes. This had enabled donations of over £4,000 to be made to various charities supporting those in need in The Ukraine and those refugees fleeing it. Two of the donations had been directly to partner Rotary clubs in The Ukraine and Roumania, showing the international reach of Rotary and its ability to give financial and practical help directly in crisis situations. Other donations included those to the UNICEF appeal for The Yemen, the Haiti earthquake appeal, polio eradication, Water Aid, and Medecins sans Frontieres. Locally, substantial donations were made to Bury Cancer Support Centre, a dementia charity, the Samaritans, Bury Young Carers, Ramsbottom Pantry, and Derian House. Thanking and congratulating Frank, Jon said that he hoped to continue the good work, and that he felt there were huge benefits to gained from Rotary working with other community groups and neighbouring Rotary clubs. To this end he wanted to accelerate the growth in the ‘Friends of Ramsbottom Rotary’ – people who did not initially want to join Rotary but who shared its aims, and were willing to shake a can or get their hands dirty for good causes, and for fun. If interested, please contact Stuart Hobson at stuarthobson@btinternet.com
Mary's Meals
The story begins in 2002, in a lopsided shed in the Scottish Highlands, where Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow started a small charity that grew into a massive organisation helping millions of children fulfill the simple ambition of “having enough food to eat & be able to go to school”.
Mary’s Meals now feeds a nutritious meal to more than 1.25 million children every school day in 13 of the poorest parts of the world, including India, Thailand, Burma, Lebanon, Haiti, Ecuador, and 7 African countries. Wherever possible the meal is made using local ingredients produced by small-holder farmers, thereby supporting the local community. Being educated and fed enables children to lift themselves, their families, and their communities out of poverty.
Between now and the 31st of December every donation to Mary’s Meal’s “Double the Love” appeal will be matched by a supporter-led match-funding campaign (up to £1.9 million), so for every £13.90 donated two children will be fed and educated for a whole school year, the very best present you could give. Go to www.marysmeals.org.uk to make some hungry children in the world very happy.
Many children receiving Mary’s Meals do not have basic learning tools such as pencils & notepads. The Backpack Project helps the children get the most out of their learning by donating a backpack full of the things they need. For many children, Mary’s Meals backpack will be the first gift they have ever received.
Janice began her “Bags of Love” project this summer under the Rotary Ramsbottom umbrella, and has been asking schools and organizations to provide backpack items, new or good condition pre-owned. We have 65 completed backpacks ready for collection by Mary’s Meals and many more which are almost complete. It’s a great way to recycle school bags, uniforms, sandals, PE kits, towels, and spoons. Other items required include A4 lined and unlined notepads, pens, pencils, colored pencils, sharpeners, erasers, pencil cases, rulers, soap, toothbrushes, and toothpaste. They would really appreciate it if you or any school, organisation, or club you know could contribute. Financial donations are also very gratefully received to purchase those “hard-to-come-by” items such as sandals and boys’ shorts. A brief presentation for younger children or a more detailed one for those interested in the fuller benefits of the project can be given. Current participants include Holcolme Brook Primary School, 38th Rossendale (Open) Scouts, Speakeasy, Holy Cross College, Ramsbottom Rotary, family, and friends.
Janice is delighted at the enormous response and goodwill they have encountered and know that the smiles on the faces of the children participating will be multiplied many times by those receiving these “Bags of Love”. If anyone wants to help with this worthwhile project, has items to donate, or is part of a group that may want to get involved, please contact Ramsbottomrotary@gmail.com
We meet on Tuesdays at 6.00pm for 6.15pm
(We meet on 1st & 3rd week of the month. Nick Hitchen takes the apologies for members & is also the person who will book you in if you would like to join us. You would be made most welcome.) Red Hall HotelBe part of a global network of volunteers, trying to make the world a better place. Please also see the 'links & news' page for information from the local district and live feeds from Rotary International and Rotary International in GB&I.