Latest Club News

Club news items for the current Rotary year

Invicta News

Latest Club News

10K Race and 2K Fun Run

After 10 successful years of organising the 10K Race / 2K Fun Run and raising over £50,000 for local good causes, Sittingbourne Invicta Rotary Club has decided that due to the event becoming economically unsustainable this years race will be the last one. 

We would like to thank all our runners, sponsors and supporters over the years without whom this event would not have been possible. 

Visit to Gillingham FC

Visit to Gillingham FC

On Monday 22nd August, members of the club had a very enjoyable trip to Priestfield Stadium. They were able to see the very impressive facilities both for the players and as a conference centre. They had an extensive tour followed by a satisfying meal.



3 Presidents’ Cameo Opera Gala Dinner

Three Presidents
On July 8th, an event, which was originally due to be held in Martin Lukehurst’s garden in 2020, finally happened at the Bredgar and Wormshill Light Railway. This was a Gala dinner with entertainment by Cameo Opera. As it had been postponed twice already, it became a celebration for the previous three presidents, Martin, John Frewin and Ian George. On a warm evening, guests were welcomed with a glass of fizz followed by a three-course meal in the trainshed. This had been transformed from its usual state of having locomotives and other train parts filling its space. It made a different and interesting environment for an event of this kind. After the meal, Cameo Opera sang a selection of famous arias and music from the shows. Many thanks to Dudley Cramp and his team that made the event such a great success.

Presidential Handover

Penny and Ian
On Monday 27th June, Ian George handed over his chain office to the new President Penny Twaites. Penny thanked Ian for all his efforts over the year and presented him with the customary tankard and Past President jewels.

Pimms in the Garden

On June 24th, Pimms in the Garden was held at David Wilkinson’s house. 48 people attended and a good time was had by all. £700 was raised for the charity account.

Tunstall Platinum Jubilee Celebration

pigs Invicta did not themselves celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee we took the club gazebo and last set of racing pigs to the Tunstall celebration on June 11. The idea was to inform people about rotary and distribute our leaflets. However, the pigs were a much greater attraction and we were able to raise £180 for the club charity account.

Community Chest

This year, once again, the club opened its Community Chest to local organisations to apply for small grants. We were able to give up to £200 to each of fifteen local community groups. They support diverse areas. Several give social support to young or old. Other groups include the Scouts, children’s and women’s football, historical research and Sittingbourne Community First Responders. Some of the requests were to support general activities within the organisation; others were for more specific reasons. These include paying for afternoon tea for a Jubilee celebration, helping towards a Christmas meal for those who would otherwise be alone for Christmas, supporting an afternoon picnic for young carers, purchasing a 4 person tent for a scout group. We also helped Swale Community Volunteer Service with money for leaflets and advertising for new volunteer drivers as many did not return after the pandemic.

Golf Day

On May 18th, we held a Golf Day a organised by Martin Lukehurst and Mike Gee attended by 16 teams at Faversham Golf Club. Good weather helped a very successful day and £3000 was raised for the charity account.

10k Race and 2k Fun Run

10kOn Sunday 15th May, we held our 10th annual 10k race and fun run with nearly two hundred runners competing. Many congratulations go to Fintan Kavanagh of Sittingbourne Striders who won the men's race in a record time of 31:59. This beats the previous record set in 2014 of 33:21 set by Ben Tyler of Medway & Maidstone AC. The women's race was won by Tina Oldershaw of Tonbridge AC in 41:33.

Living Land

For more than 10 years The Kent County Agricultural Society has been putting onLiving Land. This is a free event for Kent children in years 3 and 4 to learn about food, farming, and countryside life.Each year, Invicta has provided around half a dozen stewards for this very worthwhile event. We have been responsible for getting our group of children from one activity to another and on time. Not an onerous task but one that ensures the day goes well for all. Six Invicta Rotarians were among the many stewards at the Showground on May 5th.

Folk Night

Our newest member, Russ Hughes, a talented and experienced performer entertained us on April 23rd, ably assisted by Steve Wood, at a Folk Evening organised by RotaryradioUK. They generously shared the proceeds with the club.

Ukraine

UkraineSittingbourne Invicta responded immediately to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. We earmarked £5000 of our funds for humanitarian support. We decided to spend half of it immediately and made a grant to The International Rotary Fellowship of Healthcare Professionals, which had sent teams out and was appealing for support. We have kept the remainder to use for more long-term support. We are currently investigating ways of how this can be achieved locally. The Freewheelers, the partners of Rotarians, also donated to Ukraine with a £600 grant. Our International committee chair, Rob McCann, valiantly decided that he would participate in the 22 for 22 Shelterbox challenge. He ran 22 10km runs and asked for sponsorship. His aim was to buy a Shelterbox (which are being used to temporarily house refugees). In fact, he raised £1580, more than enough for two Shelterboxes. Well done, Rob!


'What We Do' Main Pages:

Decorating at Quinton Community Playgroup

Rotary Club of Sittingbourne Invicta - supporting of our local community

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Shelterbox at work in Pakistan

Addressing Rotary's main areas of focus around the world

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Protecting the Environment

Club's response to the climate and biodiversity crisis

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Bredgar Primary School - picture dictionaries

Providing youth competitions within local schools & supporting young people with a range of activities

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Rotary Day by Tower Bridge in London

Club members raising funds and awareness of End Polio Now

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Water

Celebrating over 100 Years of The Rotary Foundation

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Invicta News

Club news items for the current Rotary year

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Welcome to Rotary

Welcoming you to Rotary

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Easyfundraising

Raising funds for our club's Charity Trust Account so we can help others in the local community

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