NEWS
Our latest member, Ian Allison, was formally welcomed to
the Club on 25th February, by our president, Jim Binyon. The
Obejcts of Rotary were read and reflected on.
Ian is the Manager of Castles, Berkhamsted branch.
Ian says that he is looking forward to spreading the word
about Rotary to
newcomers to the
town: its commitment
to the local
community and to
fellowship.
Our Local Sporting Hero - Judith wins again
The black-tie Local Heroes charity fund raising event sponsored by
Warner Bros Studios, Leavesden was held in November at the
Grove Hotel Watford opened by the Lord Lieutenant Robert Voss
CBE.
There were very many worthy nominees across the board in
twelve different categories.
Berkhamsted resident Judith
Spencer was the winner
among three nominees in the
Sporting Achiever category,
each of whom was very
laudable. Berkhamsted Rotary
Club sponsored her in June's
2024 Blind Match Racing World
Championships in Switzerland
where she and the team won
gold. The Club proposed her
for this very well deserved
award.
This is an annual event organised by Nik Allen founder of 'My Local
News' (including “My Local Berkhamsted News” magazine).
Publication covers dozens of towns around Herts, Beds and Bucks
which are delivered through the door.
(Club President Jim Binyon 2024/5 is seen here with Judith.)
Every year Berkhamsted Rotary Club joins with the
Town Council to make two Civic Awards (one for adults
and a Junior Civic Award for under 18s). They recognise
special contributions to the local community.
This year’s junior winner was 14 year
old Nathan Whale who is known for
his Nate’s Bakes stall in the market -
which generates enjoyment for his
many customers and regular
donations to charities.
Here Rotary President 2023/4 Mike
Hart gives Nathan his award at the
Town Meeting.
Student briefings on humanitarian crises.
What happens when natural and manmade disasters occur? The
horrors of Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan and the ravages of Hurricane
Beryl in the Caribbean are current examples.
The short answer is that
ordinary peoples’ lives and
livelihoods are upended.
Close to the end of their
summer terms Berkhamsted
Rotary Club ran Humanitarian
Disaster Briefing joint sessions
for some 170 Lower Sixth
students from Ashlyns and
Berkhamsted Schools. The
purpose of the briefings was to introduce participants to the
humanitarian sector and its responses and to map out career
opportunities.
Harriette Purchas, a local Mum
and experienced Humanitarian
Engineer, facilitated the sessions
hosted by Ashlyns School.
Fiona Tan from Save the Children
described her own career in this
US$ 50 billion sector where some
380 million people are impacted
by humanitarian crises worldwide. Berkhamsted resident John
Borton from Herts Welcomes Refugees spoke of local aspects where
the charity has 140 volunteers supporting 350 resettled refugees
across Hertfordshire and 500 asylum
seekers living in 6 hotels and dispersed
accommodation in our area.
Many students said the event gave
them new understanding and opened
their eyes to new perspectives. A
number from both schools are keen to
volunteer locally.
This is the third year Rotary has
organized these events with the aim to
promote peace and understanding through practical action and the
ethos of “Service above Self”.
For more details about Shelterbox and the Impact
of our partnership in Rotary Year 2023-2024, please
click HERE
Technology Tournament 2025
The Rotary Clubs of Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead held
their hugely successful annual Technology Tournament on 13th
March at Ashlyns School.
This year’s event involved the students designing, building and
demonstrating an electrically operated, remote controlled vehicle
capable of moving forwards and backwards to crawl along inside a
drain and clear the internal debris.
The 27 teams of 4 students each worked enthusiastically on their
model and you could feel the healthy competitiveness between
the teams.
We were pleased that nearly all teams had a working model to
demonstrate and the majority met the brief set by the judges.
The Foundation Shield went to Astley Cooper School
The Intermediate Shield went to Berkhamsted School
The Advanced Shield went to Tring School
The Silver Salver Team Prize went to Adeyfield School
Rotary received very positive feedback from both teachers and
students as they left for home and they promised to be back next
year. The event was again oversubscribed which indicates the
popularity of this challenge.
Thanks goes to Ashlyns School, Paul Chambers for sound and
video, the guest Judges and the army of Rotarians.
The organisers have commented: 'Why not encourage your child to
apply through their Dacorum based school?'
Half-Marathon and Fun Run 2025 Appreciation evening
At a regular meeting on 15th April, the Club President and the Chair of
the Half Marathon & Fun Run Committee welcomed guests and
members to an Appreciation evening. The purpose was to show the
Club's appreciation on behalf of the community for the support in kind
and provision of volunteers that made this year's Run such a success. 25
of the 32 organisations involved were represented. The Mayor of
Berkhamsted Cllr Susan Jordan, attended in her role as Starter.
Chairman Paul elaborated on the record-breaking numbers of runners
(2,000) and the net £31,000 raised by the Club for local charities; on top
of this amount, over £36,000 was raised by runners for their own causes.
He even took credit for the weather.
Visit to Battersea Power Station
A group of members and their spouses/partners enjoyed a day at
Battersea Power Station. A guided tour provided a history of the power
station and its later development as an aspirational entertainment and
living complex. Some brave souls enjoyed Lift 109 (109 metres above sea
level) inside one of the one four iconic chimneys restored by a Club
Sponsor, Maylim.
The group had time to window shop and a spot of lunch in the food court.
Highlights included a private visit to Control Room A used to host
functions, and views of the impressive exterior and luxury apartment
blocks in the 45 acre site on the Thames.
Open Door Berkhamsted hosted an exhibtion of local young
Artists and Photographers 8th May - 6th June 2025.
The Artists comprised the Best in School entries from 23 local
primary (yrs 4 & 5) and special schools in Dacorum Borough that
were exhibited among 807 entries at Ashlyns School on Saturday
3rd May - ‘DYA 2025’.
The Photographers are the winners in local and Rotary District
1260 (Herts, Beds & Bucks) heats of Rotary Young Photographer
2025 on the theme of ‘Wonderful Water’
Rotary Seniors Out Trip to Ware Quay River Trip 15th September
2025
The Club organised this year’s outing for Senior Citizens, with help from
the Happy Wanderers, a local group that provide help for elderly people
in the community.
The visit was to the River Lee where “Lee & Stort Boats” took us on a river
trip from Ware Town Quay.
Our coach left from Berkhamsted Sports Centre at 1pm. A Party of 24
Senior Citizens, helpers and carers, as well as Rotarian and Inner Wheel
members travelled by coach to Ware.
After some difficulty boarding the boat due to not being able to dock at
the agreed mooring, we had a trip down the River Lee. During the
journey we enjoyed a cream tea and after negotiating a lock on the
return we were given a commentary on the surroundings including
details of the gazebos on the river’s edge, some dating back as far as the
late 16th century. They were used as quiet retreats for business
meetings away from the noise and bustle of the town.
The day was very windy but eased down during the afternoon, and the
rain held off.
We departed from Ware at 4.30pm and our Motts Coach driver Stephen
negotiated the rush hour traffic to arrive back in Berkhamsted near
5.30pm. An enjoyable afternoon was had by all.