Cowbridge students continue to shine on the Rotary International stage

Cowbridge Comprehensive School students have been recognised as a shining example of ‘Service Above Self’ with the award of a Platinum Distinction Citation by Rotary International.

 A youth arm of Cowbridge Rotary, the Cowbridge Interact Club brings together young people, aged between 12-18, to develop leadership skills and contribute to local, national and international Rotary initiatives.

 The Platinum Distinction has been awarded to Cowbridge Comprehensive School’s Senior Interact Club in recognition of the its extensive community activities over the past year.

 The 2019-20 programme has included a range of events and initiatives, from crocus planting to mark World Polio Day on October 24^th, to promotion of the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), Youth Exchange programmes, and the Interact Christmas Quiz, which raised over £600 in support of the Young Minds and the Welsh Hearts charities.

 Interact Club members also provided invaluable support to their parent club, Cowbridge Rotary, on a variety of initiatives during the year, including the popular Cowbridge Charity Quiz at the Town Hall, Santa’s Sleigh much-loved annual pre-Christmas tour of Cowbridge and surrounding villages, and the acclaimed St David’s Concert at Ramoth Hall.

 Such has been the success of Interact at Cowbridge Comprehensive School, that a second Youth Interact Club has now been set up for Key Stage 3 students. Launched during the 2019-20 academic year, with tremendous help and support from the existing senior Interact members, the new youth group is already showing signs of following in their senior’s flourishing footsteps.

 Awarded to Cowbridge Comprehensive School Interact Club by Rotary International President Mark Maloney, the Platinum Distinction Citation marks another significant milestone in the successful partnership between Cowbridge Rotary and its young student ambassadors. 

 Congratulating the Interact Club on its success, Cowbridge Rotary President Peter Davies said: “The commitment of Cowbridge Comprehensive School’s pupils and teachers has been immense, and this award of distinction is well deserved. We are constantly amazed and grateful for the energy and enthusiasm with which they throw themselves into these activities, not just for their own ideas and initiatives, but in stepping up to support us with our events. It is so rewarding for us to see how much they benefit from our partnership and no Rotary Club could be prouder of their Interact members than we are. I have no doubt the launching of the second Interact Club at Cowbridge School will only see their achievements reaching even greater heights in years to come.”

On-line club meetings

Successful Zoom meetings continue including another with our twin club, Meissen.

Dogs' Trust

Cowbridge Young Chef reaches Regional Finals

A Young Chef from Cowbridge Comprehensive competed in the Rotary Young Chef Regional Finals held in Stratford upon Avon on Saturday 7th March. Neve Riddick was sponsored by Cowbridge Rotary and represented District 1150 in a hotly contested competition. Although not winning through to the National Final, Neve's cooking was highly complemented by the judges. Neve was supported by her sister and parents at the event. More photos can be seen by clicking here.

St. David's Day Concert

We had a wonderful evening of cawl, Welsh cakes and fantastic musical entertainment in the Cowbridge United Free Church. With accompanment by Rhiannon Pritchard, the Cowbridge girl, soprano Ellen Angharad Williams, gave us a selection of popular, classical and Welsh songs which showcased her exceptional voice. The programme was introduced by an amusing anecdote by her mother, Rotarian Caryl Thomas. Our thanks to Rev. Heather Weddell for the use of the chapel and to the team of Interactors who assisted with the service of the meal.

Area Young Chef Competition

The fight for a place in the Southern Wales final of the Rotary International Young Chef Competition took place in the kitchen at Cowbridge Comprehensive School on Monday, 27th January. Six young chefs from the Vale of Glamorgan had to create in just two hours an appetising three course meal for two with a total ingredient cost under £20. The competitors were Ruby Cook and Caitlin Bowman of Stanwell School, Pippa Hinkin Evans and Neve Riddick of Cowbridge Comprehensive and Rosie King and Amelie Deere of Llantwit Major Comprehensive.

The overall winner was Neve Riddick who prepared the following menu:

Starter – Chicken Satay

Mains  – Teriyaki Salmon with broccoli, carrots and rice  

Dessert – Profiteroles with assorted toppings

Amelie Deere was the runner-up with a menu of Onion Tart, Haddock Goujons with hand –cut chips and peas followed by a dessert of Ginger Cake with a cream topping. Certificates and prizes were presented by Wayne Morgan, Rotary Assistant Governor for the Vale.

Neve Riddick will go on to compete in the Southern Wales Final at Ysgol Calon Cymru in Builth Wells on Wednesday 5th February.

The competition judges, Sîan Whitefield and Samantha Morgan said, “All the competitors showed a very high standard of cooking skills that would do justice to a professional kitchen. It is wonderful to see such talented young chefs.”

Rotary would like to thank Arboreal of Cowbridge for helping with the judging and their support of the winner. Thanks are also due to Nathalie Christopher, teacher in Design and Technology Department at Cowbridge Comprehensive School for hosting the competition.  

There are many more photos that can be seen here.

Purple for Polio

You may see purple crocus flowers starting to show in Twt Park and at the Comprehensive School. These have been planted to raise awareness of the Rotary End Polio Now project which started in 1979. The wild polio virus has nearly been eliminated from the world and we must finish the job.

Learn more at www.endpolio.org.

Microfinance at Y Bont Faen Primary School

With the support of Rotarians and using part of a generous donation by a benefactor, Year 6 at Y Bont Faen Primary School have started a micro-finance project. Using a non-profit international platform called Kiva they have chosen from over 7,000 listed projects to loan money to 14 deserving cases. The micro-loans of $25 each range from purchasing goats in Kyrgyzstan to children's primary education in Lebanon. This project integrates well into the school curriculum, incorporating elements of geography, maths, IT, etc. The project has now been extended to Year 5 pupils.

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Rotary provides opportunities to connect with people of like ideas, providing unique opportunities to serve the community using one's own professional skills alongside leaders of other businesses and professions. Rotarians help one another, and together help others.

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Rotary helps personal growth and development by continuing one's growth and education in human relations and by developing and extending leadership skills. Serving in Rotary helps one learn how to motivate, influence and lead leaders.

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Rotary was founded over 100 years ago on the principle of "meeting regularly to enjoy and expand one's circle of business and professional acquaintances." That principle remains true today, and in an increasingly complex world, Rotary continues to provide one of the most basic human needs: the need for friends and fellowship.