Club visit to The Smokehouse Stoney Allerton

Local businesman Matt Mayo from Cheddar Tyre Supplies picked the January winning number 39.

Members of the Club celebrated the 74th anniversary of the Clubs Charter presentation.

Following the changes to Government guideline on Sunday the Rotary Club of Mendip working with their local community and businesses have amended the road signs around the Cheddar Valley. They now identify the need to Stay Alert and keep 2 metres apart.

Final of the Big Pitch 2020 was held recently. The winner Madeline BIbby.

If you have volunteered during Covid 19 and want to continue why not consider Rotary.

As part of the ongoing commitment, Club members helped to erect a shed, greenhouse and potting table for the Space Charity at their allotment in Cheddar.

One of the signs erected by the Club to remind people to protect the local community during the current pandemic was vandelised. However thanks to the assistance of staff at Cheddar Caves it was recovered and can be repaired and reused.

Club members and Space volunteers erected a new fence around the allotment to ensure rabbits are unable to damage the produce. They were assisted by Jason from JC Landscapes.

The Club were involved in Cheddar Festive Night. Contestants in this years Big Pitch were able to sell their products to people attending the evening.

As the Holiday weekend approaches several Club members and local businesses joined together to support key workers and Government guidelines with Stay at Home signs. Thanks Worle Glass & Joinery, The FSC Group, Deane & Sons, Cheddar Signs and JVS Holdings

Rotary Opens Opportunities

The first of the Laundry bags and face masks produced by members of the Rotary and Inner Wheel clubs of Mendip were delivered for use by the Pharmacy staff in Cheddar. Safe distancing practice was adhered to during the handover.

The Prime Minister thanked the efforts of Rotary to eradicate Polio world wide. https://twitter.com/rotarygbi/status/1311286625788481539

President Elect Jim Skinner presented the prizes in the Space Nature Photography Competition for Mental Health Week. Tian Mazi Thomas won the prize in the 4 - 9 years and the runner up was Henry Munday.

Following the added restrictions that have came in to force the Club has amended the advisory road signs installed locally in spring 2020. They now reinforce the message Stay at Home protect key workers to remind visitors and local residents that the risk

Young Chef Award

After supplying laundry bags to Stroud Hospital the Club was asked to supply some to the Renal Unit St. George's Hospital Tooting. Assisted by Inner Wheel, Pam Salmon ex Ladies Circle and Gill Latham Past President Inner Wheel 30 were delivered.

The crocus planted by the Club in support of the Rotary Internationals End Polio Campaign can be seen around the area. Over the last 30 years Rotary has donated $2 billion to the eradication effort and protected 2.5 million children from the disease.

Rotary International President Holger Knaack joined the Club meeting on zoom.

The second batch of laundry bags have been handed over for use in Bath Hospitals. There were 78 bags in total. A joint effort between Rotary and Inner Wheel.

The Club has amended the stay at home signs to thank all those who helped to reduce the spread of Covid 19 by staying at home. The Club appreciates the assistance given by Cheddar Signs and the local Companies who sponsored the original signage.

Club President Ceri Davies laying a wreath at the Cheddar cenotaph to remember all those who have fallen in conflict.

Rtns. Peter Wright & Mike Hiles are transporting vunerable adults to vaccination centres. They are also in telephone contact with indivduals who are experiencing dificulties during the pandemic, including non rotarians.

Ian and Sue Presidents of the Rotary and Inner Wheel Clubs of Mendip layed wreaths on behalf of their organisations to remember those who gave their lives in conflicts.

Rotarian Anwar Hussain cooked a fourth batch of curries for key workers. The event was sponsored by the Club as part of its response to Covid 19.

As a method of raising funds for good causes in this time the Club has started a 75 Club Draw with 50% of proceeds going to good causes.

The May draw was carried out by Mike who is the landlord of the White Horse Public House in Mark

Seasons Greetings

Rotarian Roger Burdock and his wife Jane a member of Inner Wheel organised a socially distancing street party to celebrate VE day. It was organised to celebrate peace and understanding to support Rotary peace scholars.

Thanks to a US$70,000 project being led by the Rotary Clubs of Mendip and Kampala Sunrise the latest initiative was Medical Camp at the Ndwaddemutwe School. This was a tremendous success with 957 people attending and being tested and treated for wide rang

The Club has placed a display in Cheddar Library to highlight World Polio Day 24th October 2020.

The March 75 Club charity draw was carried out my Val Maunder, assisted my Jim Warnell from W C Maunders. The draw was started during the pandemic to ensure the Club could continue to support local charities at this time.

Members of the Club and volunteers from The Space Charity were preparing raised beds in preparation for planting later in the year. A trench was also dug to erect fencing around the project. This will be completed later.

Members and friends enjoyed an evening at the Rasoi Bangladeshi & Indian Restaurant Cheddar

Rotarian Anwar Hussain cooked a third batch of his free Curries for local NHS Staff & Carers in the Cheddar Valley, on this occasion, the Rotary Club of Mendip were very pleased to both sponsor & help distribute the curries.

The Club has set up a buddy system, where it is arranged in small groups to ensure easy contact for the members well being.

The Presidents charity for 2020-20121 is the Space Charity. The project will be undertaken in partnership with the kings of Wessex Academy

The April draw was carried out by Lewis Bull and Percy Foord from OnPoint Barbers in Cheddar Gorge. The draw was initiated to raise funds for charities when traditional fund raising events were cancelled due to the pandemic.

Cheddar Arts and The Art Quarter are endevouring to create an uplifting activity for Christmas. They are asking businesses and people within the Cheddar Valley to put a festive display in their windows and "Make Cheddar Festive".

The February draw for the 75 Club was carried out at the local business MAWAGRI. They have assisted the Club by giving discounts on the items purchased from them for the Space Allotment, our Charity for this Rotary year.The winning number was 37.

Staff at the Court House Retirement Home have decided to stay locked down with the residents during the pandemic. to support their efforts Club members donated wine for them to enjoy during their down time.

Rotary together with Makerere University Uganda has establish a new Peace Centre in Africa.

Young Chef 2020

A Club member cooked 62 curries which were given free to NHS staff in the Cheddar Valley on their return from work. Sponsored by Cheddar Taxi and Chauffeur.

Cinema evening at the Roxy Cinema Axbridge

Mike Sartain was inducted into the Club and the Rotary family in a socially distancing event.

Members together with the Inner Wheel Club of Mendip are making laundry bags fro front line workers. This allows them to put their clothes in the bags to wash. Reducing handling

Members attended the Cheddar Food and Drink Festival to raise awareness of Rotary activities.

The Club visited St Andrews Church Cheddar to hear about its history.

Face masks produced by Pam Salmon have been distributed to the chemist in Axbridge

Members of Mendip and Crewkerne Rotary Clubs working on the EVAG stand at the Emergency Responders show organised by the Rotary Club of Wells.

Winners from the annual Young Artist competition.

Members tried to play croquet at the grounds of the Bleadon Croquet Club.

Great Weston Bike Ride for the Somerset Prostate Association

The Young Musician competition was held at Sidcott School, in two sections. The under 15 was won by pianist Yuying Fan. Over 15 was won by Nina Tyrrell playing the trumpet. Hannah Coulton was awarded the most improved performer.

The Presentation at Presidents Day

The Club visited Lye Cross Farm which is a successful local cheese manufacturer.

Young Chef Participants

As part of World Polio day members of the Club planted Purple Crocus. The colour purple is used because when children are vaccinated their little finger is dipped in purple ink.

Members and guests were entertained by Tom Dunn from Bath Rugby Club, who gave anecdotes from his career and held a Q & A session.

Members of the Club and their wives enjoyed a fellowship day at Taunton races

Monies were donated to Axbridge Church to improve disabled access to the Church Rooms and the 1st Wedmore Scout Group to purchase new camping equipment.

The Club held a charity walk around the Mendips participants were met with spectacular views.

Members of the Club went to Bordeaux for this years International visit, where the were entertained by two local Rotary Clubs. Rotary Club Bordeaux Bouscat and Rotary Club Bordeaux Ouest.

The Club is delighted to assist our Honorary Member Adele Sutton with the Reveal Project.Revealed Projects aims to inspire young people to be confident in who they are and develop skills to build healthy relationships in all aspects of their lives.

Club members together with Inner Wheel Club of Mendip went to pack Water Survival Boxes which are being sent to survivors of the recent Cyclone in Africa.

The Big Pitch is the annual entrepreneur competition run by the Club.

Join us for a Charity walk around lovely Somerset.

The crocus planted by the Club in Cheddar are now in bloom for all to see.

The Club were entertained by Rotarian John Miles who gave an insight into the charity Global Sight Solutions originally The Guildford Rotary Eye Project.

Rotarian Dennis Malpass talked to those present about the tremendous work carried out by the Club i its earlier years.

Following a disastrous start when the Clubs main marquee was destroyed by a strong gust of wind the evening carried on.La Rocca allowed students from the Kings Academy to set up their big pitch stalls around their restaurant.

In association with the Draycott & Rodney Stoke First School PTA, the Story Teller Chair was funded by the Rotary Club of Mendip with the benches funded by the PTA. The Chair is the focal point where their teacher can sit while the children gather arou

Tom Dunn will talk about his life as a professional rugby player with Bath Rugby

The Rotary Club of Mendip are the lead Club in assisting a Ugandan Village to be self sufficient.

The Club together with the Inner Wheel Club of Mendip held their annual Celebration of Christmas. Following a service at St. Peter's Church Draycott conducted by Rotarian Mike Gelder everyone adjourned to the Strawberry Special for a meal and fellowship.

The club relies on well run administration of both regular and special events and these duties normally fall within the responsibilities of the Vice President

The Club honoured two cave rescue divers from the Cheddar Valley involved in the rescue of the boys in Thailand. Chris Jewell and Connor Roe were presented with the Paul Harris Fellowship Award for their outstanding "Service above Self"

We are club with members aged 40 upwards and new blood is always welcome to enjoy our friendship and assist with our varied programme

The Club held an external visit to The Valley Smokehouse at Stone Allerton. Jonathan Newberry gave a talk on the methods for smoking fish and meat. The visit was followed by a meal and Rotary fellowship.

Members had an external visit to The Smokehouse to see how fish and meat are smoked. Jonathan Newberry gave a tour of the premesis and a description of the activities.

The public Relations Committee

The Rotary Club of Mendip and the Inner Wheel Club of Mendip held a joint fund raising evening at Shipham Village Hall.

Foundation - the main Rotary International Charity

Encouraging Young people in a wide variety ways is major activity in our club in competitions often lead to district and national finals which is a highly developmental experience

Activities range from old peoples outings, assisting with local projects and blood pressure checks to running the Christmas Festive Night event. The photo shows our effort to encourage local businesses with our Young Business Person Annual Award