About us

Morden Rotary Christmas Donations, 2024-5

Boy with sleigh

It took a big effort to get Santa and his Sleigh out in Merton for Christmas 2024 but we managed it. There were seven mobile street collections and five static events. We are just in the process of checking our banking but be assured that every charity who participated will soon receive a welcome sum of money.

 

The charities taking part on the mobile runs were Faith in Action Merton Homelessness Project, Jigsaw4U, Merton Mencap, Morden Little League, Dons Local Action Group, Raynes Park Vale Football Club (on behalf of Maggie’s at the Royal Marsden) and Merton & Morden Guild. Our routes were around Hillcross, Cannon Hill, Aragon, Motspur Park and St Helier. Every charity brought its own distinctive character. 

 

Our static sleighs got off to a prestigious start with Merton Council’s ‘Christmas Lights Switch On’ at Mitcham’s Fair Green. Merton’s  Mayor Slawek Szczepanski  and several local councillors visited the sleigh as did many expectant children. Morden Rotary’s Corporate Member the Little Ark charity provided helpers and much sought-after free draught excluders made from recycled materials. The sleigh shone out in the darkness and went on to feature in Merton’s Christmas video.

 

Then the Old Rutlishians hosted three children’s parties where the sleigh should have been the centrepiece but stormy weather put paid to those plans. However, it was good for Rotary to be able to personally thank Ian Hand for updating the sleigh as well as to see those keen young rugby and football players let their hair down with food, sideshows and a disco where Santa out-moved them all on the dance floor.

 

Raynes Park Station provided the backdrop for our next static with the Dons Local Action Group.  Santa was truly resplendent and Adam the children’s entertainer amused youngsters with his balloon modelling and magic card tricks. We were visited by a local nursery and several young families. Our takings would have been better if a phone signal existed in Raynes Park. On the plus side there were sweets and football match vouchers kindly donated by Raynes Park Vale FC.

 

Finally Rotary played its part at A Very Morden Christmas in Abbotsbury Road. Morden Rotary had its own stand and members ran a free letter-writing craft activity for children. Merton & Morden Guild provided Olaf and The Grinch, who caused quite a stir when walking around the town centre with Santa. 

 

Every outing with the Sleigh has been different but the reception has always been the same - delighted faces and cameras ready to capture the moment Santa came to town.  We are very grateful for the cheerful help of many volunteers as well as the assistance of local companies Ian Hand Motor Engineer and South London Trailer Centre who made these sleigh runs possible. 

 

The countdown to Christmas 2025 has begun - start collecting your loose change now. 

 

Here we are with the DONS, Maggie's, Faith-in-Action and Little A.R.K.:

The DONS Maggie's

 Faith-in-Action LittleARK 

In the meantime, we look forward to the last half of our Rotary year and our upcoming Young Chef competition (see our local page here) and our 90th birthday in June!

See our Christmas Newsletter here.

Message from the President, Christmas 2024

December-November Newsletter

Dear Members and Friends

Due to my ill health and family matters it was impossible for me to write the newsletter on time. I did however send you relevant information by email.

This is the last Newsletter for 2024. At the end, you will have the Sleigh Routes and Static Sleigh positions as of now. There could be minor changes that we will keep you informed of as and when.

This year you will see that we have at least 7 routes and may even add one more. Plus some static locations. Charities are feeling the pinch of the way families have been cutting back for some time now. This is an opportunity for them to raise much-needed funds.

As soon as we know how much we have raised and how much is going to the Charities we will let you know. It is imperative that as this is public money that you generously give, you should be told exactly how much was raised. This will be early in January.

Thank you,

Angeles

FRIENDS MEETINGS First Saturday of the Month

We have had two meetings since I last wrote to you. I really have enjoyed these meetings. They are a great way to exchange ideas and learn more about each other. They are not meant to be formal in any way.

I think the Stable yard is open until end of December after which we will be in the main café. I hope to grab a table near the back out of the way.

Thank you for coming and keep coming. I know it’s not always possible as you are all busy people with other things to get on with. But I miss those that don’t come!

23/10/2024 - Visit by District Governor, Tim Vile

Tim Vile our new District Governor came to meet the club and to talk to us about ways of changing to meet the challenges that clubs are facing nationally. Primarily this is about membership. Tim had looked at our own Web Page and commented that we needed to review it to see how we can be more appealing to new members and to ensure we are giving the right impression. Please look for yourself and tell us what you think. Simply type Morden Rotary Club in your web browser. We have made a couple of changes but we know there is much more to do. Feedback would be very welcome. Reply to angeleswalford@yahoo.com

30/10/24 End Polio Now

Every year in October Rotarians all over the world continue to raise funds for this 35 year old project. Everything raised is tripled by the Bill Gates Foundation.

This year we have seen a rise in cases of Polio in Afghanistan, Gaza and Africa. Unfortunately children under 5 are the main target group for this deadly disease. This year for the first time in many years the club held a dinner to raise funds. We went to the ever fabulous Aya Restaurant in South Wimbledon. There were 24 members and friends and we raised £325. Hopefully next year we will be bigger and raise even more. Thank you to all those who came and especially those that donated such lovely prizes for our raffle. Also for generosity of those that bought tickets.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

October Newsletter

This month has been an extremely busy one for Rosemary and myself, especially Rosemary.

We are really pleased that we have been able through sheer diligence and tenacity to get together a plan for our Christmas Sleigh which is set out below. The routes have been carefully checked and verified by Rosemary so that they will run smoothly and give much pleasure to our residents and their families.

It’s really important that we publicise these routes so that everyone is ready for the arrival of Santa and that they have some money put aside for our charities. We will be carrying SumUp machines too.

As well as 6 routes for the Sleigh we will be doing static appearances too! Once these routes are established we hope next year to expand to other parts of Morden. I would particularly like to see the area around Wandle Road included. However, this can only be possible if we expand our club numbers. It is imperative that we attract new members to The Rotary Club of Morden. We are 90 years old in 2025 and our aim is to grow and grow. We don’t keep any of the money we raise at Christmas. It all goes to local charities.

FRIENDS MEETING

The first Saturday of the month is nominated for our Friends meeting. This will normally be at the Stable Café in The National Trust in Morden Hall.

In our September 7th meeting, which clashed with a Sustainable Merton event in the Wimbledon Quarter, there were five of us. We were small in number but chatted happily for a couple of hours and made ourselves known amongst the users of the Stable Yard.

On Saturday, 14th September Rosemary, Anna Maria and I went to the ABUNDANCE WIMBLEDON FRUIT DAY sale. What a lovely morning we had. The sun was out, there was an abundance of jam, apple juice making, herbs, homemade cakes, and great music from the Colliers Wood International Ukulele Orchestra. 

from Angeles Walford

Welcome to a new Rotary Year and a new President

Angeles Walford, Immediate Past President of The Rotary Club of Cheam and Sutton was duly elected to take on that role with us here at the Rotary Club of Morden.

Pictured from right to left above are Assistant Governor Foulsade Demuren, Fiona, wife of the District Governor, Tim Vile who is on her left and President Angeles.

President Angeles has certainly hit the ground running as the Rotary New Year officially opens on July 1st. On July 7th she managed and volunteered at the Morden Family Fun Day. Despite the weather, it was a great day but not without challenges. These we shall iron out next year.

Watch this space for more news.

John de Ronde, Club Secretary

Our Social Media

https://www.facebook.com/mordenrotary/

Meetings & Venue

Where and when:

We meet on Wednesdays at 18.30 for 19.00pm

(Meeting twice monthly at Ganley's Irish Bar Steak House. Please contact secretary rosemaryalever@gmail.com) Ganley's Irish Bar
43-47 London Rd, Morden SM4 5HP
Morden
London
SM4 5HP  07800907661

Web site about the locality

Rotary News

Be 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.

Rotary serving communities through supporting foodbanks

Diversity is part of Rotary’s core values