Berkhamsted Rotary Trust Fund CIO
1
Join Rotary and Join the Action!
We will be accepting donations of tools and musical instruments at our market
stall on Saturday 18th April and Saturday 30th May (0800 - 1400hrs). We will
also collect them so please register at the stall.
Berkhamsted Rotary Trust Fund CIO
1
Join Rotary and Join the Action!
We will be accepting donations of
tools and musical instruments at our
market stall on Saturday 18th April
and Saturday 30th May (0800 -
1400hrs). We will also collect them
so please register at the stall.
NEWS
Berkhamsted Rotary Trust Fund CIO
2
Long Service Award
President Chris de Lisle makes a presentation to Danny Bonwitt, our most senior member, for 55 years of ‘Service above Self’. Danny was born in Worms in Germany in 1934. His family escaped to England via Italy in 1937 and after the war settled in the Manchester area. He qualified as a Mechanical Engineer but later joined the Air Squadron and thence to fly in Canberras. After service in the RAF and commercial work in Ghana and Nigeria with Unilever, he followed a career in the catering equipment industry, becoming chairman of the Catering Equipment Suppliers Association. Danny is always working to help others and in particular, with the Princes Trust and initiating the education programme at HMP The Mount when it was first built. Danny first became a member of Rotary in 1970. Together with other like-minded people, founded Henley in Arden Rotary Club which is still flourishing. He became President in time and also when he moved to Knutsford and then again, as a founder member and early President of the Berkhamsted Bulbourne Rotary Club. He became chair of governors for Ashlyns School and also of London Colney Primary School. He initiated the Dacorum Young Artists competition in 2015 for primary and secondary schools, which goes from strength to strength. Latterly, he was a national trustee of the arts-based educational charity NADFAS and took on a three-year role as chairman of Berkhamsted Probus Club. In 2016, Danny received the BEM from the Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, the Countess of Verulam, in a ceremony at County Hall, Hertford.Danny and Barbara have two children, Adrian and Caroline.
2025 Santa Sleigh Charity
The Club is delighted to announce the outstanding success of its annual Santa
Sleigh event, held throughout December 2025, which raised over £15,000 to
support 20 local charities and community organisations.
This year’s total once again reflects the generosity of local residents and the
dedication of volunteers who brought the festive tradition to life night after night.
The Santa Sleigh, a well established community fixture, toured Berkhamsted,
Potten End and Northchurch neighbourhoods throughout December, spreading
Christmas cheer while raising vital funds for causes including youth services,
homelessness and schools PTA's
Rotary President, Chris de Lisle commented: “We are incredibly grateful to
everyone who donated, volunteered, or simply came out to wave at Santa. The
warmth and generosity shown by our community this year has been
extraordinary. These funds will make a meaningful difference to 20 charities
doing essential work all year round.”
Funds raised will now be distributed to the selected charities over the coming
weeks, with updates to follow on the impact made possible by the community’s
contributions.
Dacorum Young Artists 2026
Young artist competitors, their parents and teachers were welcomed to the 11th DYA Exhibition at Ashlyns School on 2nd May 2026. Guest of honour was Cllr Catherine McArevey, the Mayor of Dacorum, who takes a keen interest in the wellbeing and education of young people. The competition, open to Year 4 & 5 students in Dacorum Borough, featured work this year from 22 schools. Usually no theme is set and the work represented material created over the school year. Out of 687 entrants this year, one entry from each school was awarded ‘Best in School’. Those judged ‘Best Overall’ 1st, 2nd and 3rd were announced on the day; two entries awarded Highly Commended. Judges were Mary Casserley, a leading local artist, Joanna Bryant, gallery owner, art dealer and curator and Bex Wells, a local textile and craft designer. Ashlyns School provided the use of their Hall and Berkhamsted School the display boards. Sponsors comprised the Rotary Clubs of Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead, The Arts Society Gade Valley and Ashridge DFAS. The competition is also supported by The Arts Society, the country’s leading arts education charity. The 22 Best in School entries will go on to be exhibited at Hemel Hempstead Library from 8th May to 8th June.
(Click on images to enlarge)
New Members
Dr.Neha Vigh is a local GP with around 20 years of experience who moved to the UK 16 years ago after qualifying in India. She grew up in Shimla in a Rotary and Inner Wheel family where her mother served as Treasurer and her father president and ran free medical clinics supported by Rotary. Caring for her mother after major surgery inspired her to take on Caremark Dacorum where she is Managing Director and leads a home care service focused on high quality post hospital support. She also volunteers with Macmillan and works with charities like Community Action Dacorum. This summer she will launch her own Private GP practice to support families and older adults. Neha discovered Rotary Berkhamsted through the Berkorun social media posts which reconnected her with the Rotary values she grew up with and continues to uphold.
Steve Elliott is a retired serial IT
entrepreneur. He was a member
of Berkhamsted Round Table for
20 years, is currently President of
41 Club and a past Youth Rugby
coach.
Steve is known to our members as
the volunteer responsible for
lighting for many years at our
annual Fireworks Show. Steve lives
in Dudswell.
Rotary Centenary Civic Awards 2026
The Rotary Centenary Civic Awards in Berkhamsted are a joint initiative between the Berkhamsted Rotary Club and the Berkhamsted Town Council. Instituted in 2004 during Rotary’s centenary year, the awards recognize the town's unsung heroes—individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the local community. Berko Rotary President Chris DeLisle presented Civic Awards to Barbara Bonwitt and Rachel Franc at the annual Town Meeting in May. Rachel and Barbara have for many years led the Happy Wanderers charity which has benefited hundreds of local pensioners.We are delighted to be able to recognise publicly their dedication and hard work in this very special 70th anniversary year of Happy Wanderers. The Youth Civic Award was given to Alexi Pephanis, a young local resident who makes a valuable contribution to the community and provides a good role model for other teenagers. Congratulations to Alexi for his successful personal development and the support he has provided for other young people through his work at The Swan Youth Project.
President’s Lunch 2026
Berkhamsted Rotary Club’s President’s Lunch at The Greyhound, Aldbury 04/07/26 It was an auspicious date and location for Chris de Lisle to hold his President’s Lunch: his mother was born in Aldbury on the 4 th of July. Chris evidently enjoyed his year of office and thanked members for all their hard work and thanked President Cath of Berkhamsted Inner Wheel for their support. The highlight of the Club’s fundraising for Chris was on behalf of Berkhamsted Food Hub, now well- established in the town. The major fundraisers: Town Fireworks, Santa’s Sleigh and Half Marathon all bore the stamp of Chris’s detailed management. Chris thanked various members and Committee Chairs for their efforts during the year and expressed his conviction that the Club would be in good hands as Incoming President Anne McCall takes over. President 2026/7 Anne reminded the company of Rotary’s principle of Service before Self, so well embodied in Chris during his two years as President (2007/8 and 2025/6) with his leadership, commitment and humour. We were told of Chris’s lifelong dedication to Sea Cadets for which he received the Lord Lieutenant’s Badge for his duties in 2004. Anne extended the Club’s welcome to Chris’s wife, ‘First Mate’ Wendy. A family man and local business man, Chris joined Tring Round Table in 1985, organised the Tring Carnival for 10 years and supported many local causes. President Anne expressed her confidence that Chris had built a strong foundation for the next chapter of the Club and thanked him on behalf of all its members.
Neha was recently a recipient
of a Dacorum Dragon’s Den
award on behalf of Caremark
Dacorum to deliver and
market her Community and
Wellbeing Hub
Berkhamsted Rotary Trust Fund CIO
2
NEWS
(Click on images to enlarge)
2025 Santa Sleigh Charity
The Club is delighted to announce the outstanding success of its annual Santa Sleigh event, held throughout December 2025, which raised over £15,000 to support 20 local charities and community organisations. This year’s total once again reflects the generosity of local residents and the dedication of volunteers who brought the festive tradition to life night after night. The Santa Sleigh, a well established community fixture, toured Berkhamsted, Potten End and Northchurch neighbourhoods throughout December, spreading Christmas cheer while raising vital funds for causes including youth services, homelessness and schools PTA's Rotary President, Chris de Lisle commented: “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who donated, volunteered, or simply came out to wave at Santa. The warmth and generosity shown by our community this year has been extraordinary. These funds will make a meaningful difference to 20 charities doing essential work all year round.” Funds raised will now be distributed to the selected charities over the coming weeks, with updates to follow on the impact made possible by the community’s contributions.
Long Service Award
President Chris de Lisle makes a presentation to Danny Bonwitt, our most senior member, for 55 years of ‘Service above Self’. Danny was born in Worms in Germany in 1934. His family escaped to England via Italy in 1937 and after the war settled in the Manchester area. He qualified as a Mechanical Engineer but later joined the Air Squadron and thence to fly in Canberras. After service in the RAF and commercial work in Ghana and Nigeria with Unilever, he followed a career in the catering equipment industry, becoming chairman of the Catering Equipment Suppliers Association. Danny is always working to help others and in particular, with the Princes Trust and initiating the education programme at HMP The Mount when it was first built. Danny first became a member of Rotary in 1970. Together with other like-minded people, founded Henley in Arden Rotary Club which is still flourishing. He became President in time and also when he moved to Knutsford and then again, as a founder member and early President of the Berkhamsted Bulbourne Rotary Club. He became chair of governors for Ashlyns School and also of London Colney Primary School. He initiated the Dacorum Young Artists competition in 2015 for primary and secondary schools, which goes from strength to strength. Latterly, he was a national trustee of the arts-based educational charity NADFAS and took on a three-year role as chairman of Berkhamsted Probus Club. In 2016, Danny received the BEM from the Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, the Countess of Verulam, in a ceremony at County Hall, Hertford. Danny and Barbara have two children, Adrian and Caroline.
Dacorum Young Artists 2026
Young artist competitors, their parents and teachers were welcomed to the 11th DYA Exhibition at Ashlyns School on 2nd May 2026. Guest of honour was Cllr Catherine McArevey, the Mayor of Dacorum, who takes a keen interest in the wellbeing and education of young people. The competition, open to Year 4 & 5 students in Dacorum Borough, featured work this year from 22 schools. Usually no theme is set and the work exhibited represented material created over the school year. Out of 687 entrants this year, one entry from each school was awarded ‘Best in School’. Those judged ‘Best Overall’ 1st, 2nd and 3rd were announced on the day; two entries awarded Highly Commended. Judges were Mary Casserley, a leading local artist, Joanna Bryant, gallery owner, art dealer and curator and Bex Wells, a local textile and craft designer. Ashlyns School provided the use of their Hall and Berkhamsted School the display boards. Sponsors comprised the Rotary Clubs of Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead, The Arts Society Gade Valley and Ashridge DFAS. The competition is also supported by The Arts Society, the country’s leading arts education charity. The 22 Best in School entries will go on to be exhibited at Hemel Hempstead Library from 8th May to 8th June.
New Members
Dr.Neha Vigh is a local GP with around 20 years of experience who moved to the UK 16 years ago after qualifying in India. She grew up in Shimla in a Rotary and Inner Wheel family where her mother served as Treasurer and her father president and ran free medical clinics supported by Rotary. Caring for her mother after major surgery inspired her to take on Caremark Dacorum where she is Managing Director and leads a home care service focused on high quality post hospital support. She also volunteers with Macmillan and works with charities like Community Action Dacorum. This summer she will launch her own Private GP practice to support families and older adults. Neha discovered Rotary Berkhamsted through the Berkorun social media posts which reconnected her with the Rotary values she grew up with and continues to uphold.
Steve Elliott is a retired serial IT
entrepreneur. He was a member of
Berkhamsted Round Table for 20
years, is currently President of 41
Club and a past Youth Rugby coach.
Steve is known to our members as
the volunteer responsible for
lighting for many years at our
annual Fireworks Show. Steve lives
in Dudswell.
Rotary Centenary Civic Awards
The Rotary Centenary Civic Awards in Berkhamsted are a joint initiative between the Berkhamsted Rotary Club and the Berkhamsted Town Council. Instituted in 2004 during Rotary’s centenary year, the awards recognize the town's unsung heroes—individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the local community. Berko Rotary President Chris DeLisle presented Civic Awards to Barbara Bonwitt and Rachel Franc at the annual Town Meeting in May. Rachel and Barbara have for many years led the Happy Wanderers charity which has benefited hundreds of local pensioners.We are delighted to be able to recognise publicly their dedication and hard work in this very special 70th anniversary year of Happy Wanderers. The Youth Civic Award was given to Alexi Pephanis, a young local resident who makes a valuable contribution to the community and provides a good role model for other teenagers. Congratulations to Alexi for his successful personal development and the support he has provided for other young people through his work at The Swan Youth Project.
President’s Lunch 2026
Berkhamsted Rotary Club’s President’s Lunch at The Greyhound, Aldbury 04/07/26 It was an auspicious date and location for Chris de Lisle to hold his President’s Lunch: his mother was born in Aldbury on the 4 th of July. Chris evidently enjoyed his year of office and thanked members for all their hard work and thanked President Cath of Berkhamsted Inner Wheel for their support. The highlight of the Club’s fundraising for Chris was on behalf of Berkhamsted Food Hub, now well-established in the town. The major fundraisers: Town Fireworks, Santa’s Sleigh and Half Marathon all bore the stamp of Chris’s detailed management. Chris thanked various members and Committee Chairs for their efforts during the year and expressed his conviction that the Club would be in good hands as Incoming President Anne McCall takes over. President 2026/7 Anne reminded the company of Rotary’s principle of Service before Self, so well embodied in Chris during his two years as President (2007/8 and 2025/6) with his leadership, commitment and humour. We were told of Chris’s lifelong dedication to Sea Cadets for which he received the Lord Lieutenant’s Badge for his duties in 2004. Anne extended the Club’s welcome to Chris’s wife, ‘First Mate’ Wendy. A family man and local business man, Chris joined Tring Round Table in 1985, organised the Tring Carnival for 10 years and supported many local causes. President Anne expressed her confidence that Chris had built a strong foundation for the next chapter of the Club and thanked him on behalf of all its members.
Neha was recently a recipient
of a Dacorum Dragon’s Den
award on behalf of Caremark
Dacorum to deliver and
market her Community and
Wellbeing Hub
Your skills and experience could be
invaluable in our drive to help communities
at home and around the world. Consider
volunteering your time and abilities. Yu will
be helping to make people’s lives better. If
you'd like to make a contribution there are
many ways to get involved with Rotary:
you could join Rotary and open up a
world of opportunities.
you could donate to one of our Club's
initiatives
you could volunteer to speak at our Club
about a cause which interests you
teachers or students - you could take
part in a Rotary Schools competition
you could volunteer to help the Club in
one of its initiatives, as a friend of Rotary.
We have fun working together within teams on our various projects. If Rotary sounds like the organisation for you and
you feel able to get involved or volunteer some of your precious spare time, we’d like to hear from you! Simply email our
membership officer for an informal chat.
What is Rotary?
Rotary is one of the world’s leading membership
and humanitarian service organisations, with 1.2
million members globally. Rotary was formed as
a networking organisation and this still plays a
part in Rotary life today. Rotary provides the
opportunity to expand personal and professional
circles, meet new people and make lasting
friendships, all while having fun in the process.
Founded on 90 years of activity in the town, we
are part of Rotary International, with more than
33,000 Rotary Clubs across the world. There are
some 50,000 members in over 1,750 Clubs in
Great Britain and Ireland. We share a common
vision for better communities and work together
to achieve it.
With 60 members, we are the largest Rotary Club
in Beds, Herts & Bucks.
Rotary International supports worldwide
programmes to reduce poverty, disease and
inadequate living conditions. Rotary's global
initiative to eradicate Polio has been very
successful with only 2 countries left where it is
still endemic.
We actively support some very worthwhile
overseas projects but the majority of our effort
and fund raising is nonetheless devoted to
charitable causes within our local community.
We are a group of individuals from many
walks of life. We normally meet on Tuesday
evenings in Berkhamsted for a meal, usually
with an interesting after dinner speaker; one
meeting each month is devoted to planning
and organising our activities.
Charitable causes are supported via
Berkhamsted Rotary Trust Fund CIO (UK reg
charity No. 1182564).
We recognise that time is at a premium for
working people with family and work
commitments, so our members attend
whatever meetings work for them.
We organise challenging competitions for
schools and provide days out for the elderly
and for disadvantaged young people. We
organise events to raise money for local and
overseas charities, such as our widely
recognised Berkhamsted Half Marathon, the
Town Fireworks and Santa’s Sleigh.
What We Do
About Us
Berkhamsted Rotary Trust Fund CIO
3
Join Us
About Us
We have fun working together within teams on our various
projects. If Rotary sounds like the organisation for you and
you feel able to get involved or volunteer some of your
precious spare time, we’d like to hear from you! Simply email
our membership officer for an informal chat.
What is Rotary?
Rotary is one of the
world’s leading
membership and
humanitarian service
organisations, with 1.2
million members
globally. Rotary was
formed as a
networking
organisation and this
still plays a part in
Rotary life today.
Rotary provides the
opportunity to expand
personal and
professional circles,
meet new people and
make lasting
friendships, all while
having fun in the
process.
Founded on 90 years
of activity in the town,
we are part of Rotary
International, with
more than 33,000
Rotary Clubs across
the world. There are
some 50,000 members
in over 1,750 Clubs in
Great Britain and
Ireland. We share a
common vision for
better communities
and work together to
achieve it.
With 60 members, we
are the largest Rotary
Club in Beds, Herts &
Bucks.
Rotary International
supports worldwide
programmes to reduce
poverty, disease and
inadequate living
conditions. Rotary's
global initiative to
eradicate Polio has
been very successful
with only 2 countries
left where it is still
endemic.
We actively support
some very worthwhile
overseas projects but
the majority of our
effort and fund raising
is nonetheless devoted
to charitable causes
within our local
community
Who are we?
We are a group of
individuals from
many walks of life.
We normally meet
on Tuesday
evenings in
Berkhamsted for a
meal, usually with
an interesting after
dinner speaker; one
meeting each
month is devoted to
planning and
organising our
activities.
Charitable causes
are supported via
Berkhamsted
Rotary Trust Fund
CIO (UK reg charity
No. 1182564).
We recognise that
time is at a
premium for
working people with
family and work
commitments, so
our members
attend whatever
meetings work for
them.
We organise
challenging
competitions for
schools and provide
days out for the
elderly and for
disadvantaged
young people. We
organise events to
raise money for
local and overseas
charities, such as
our widely
recognised
Berkhamsted Half
Marathon, the Town
Fireworks and
Santa’s Sleigh.
Your skills and
experience could be
invaluable in our
drive to help
communities at
home and around
the world. Consider
volunteering your
time and abilities. Yu
will be helping to
make people’s lives
better. If you'd like to
make a contribution
there are many ways
to get involved with
Rotary:
you could join
Rotary and open
up a world of
opportunities.
you could donate
to one of our
Club's initiatives
you could
volunteer to speak
at our Club about a
cause which
interests you
teachers or
students - you
could take part in a
Rotary Schools
competition
you could
volunteer to help
the Club in one of
its initiatives, as a
friend of Rotary.
Join Us!
Berkhamsted Rotary Trust Fund CIO
3
What we do
Berkhamsted Rotary Trust Fund CIO
4
Empty your attics, sheds
and garages of unwanted
clutter. Recycle/Upcycle
and give the clutter
another life. Reduce waste
and pollution. We will
collect from you any time -
just call
01442 871536 (tools)
07712 792266 (musical
instruments)
Recycling/Upcycling
Berkhamsted Rotary Trust Fund CIO
4
Empty your attics, sheds and garages of
unwanted clutter. Recycle/Upcycle and
give the clutter another life.
Reduce waste and pollution. We will
collect from you any time -
just call
01442 871536 (tools)
07712 792266 (musical instruments)
- THE COMMUNITY
Local Community Projects
- LOCAL SCHOOLS
Berkhamsted Rotary Trust Fund CIO
5
- Wider Community
Local Community Projects
- Local Schools
Berkhamsted Rotary Trust Fund CIO
5
Donations & Grants
Berkhamsted Rotary Trust Fund CIO
6
Overseas
Donations & Grants
Berkhamsted Rotary Trust Fund CIO
6
Overseas
Why sponsors and supporters are important
Every community and fund raising event that we organise has associated costs; for instance the costs of putting on our Annual Fireworks display for the
town typically exceeds £10,000. Even putting on on our annual Technology Tournament for young students costs in excess of £1,000.
In recent years year our charity Trust Fund has typically managed to generate an annual net income of more than £40,000 which is then disbursed as
donations to various charitable causes. We could not, however, achieve this without the generous support of sponsors ... both those who provide financial
support and also those who support us in kind by providing essential services free of charge. Please see our
Why not become a sponsor?
Could you use a higher profile in Berkhamsted and the surrounding area? Would you and your staff enjoy working with us on worthwhile, inspirational and
fun projects that benefit the local community or contribute to humanitarian initiatives around the world? Do you wish to put corporate social responsibility
and sustainability as core values of your brand? If so, would you consider supporting Berkhamsted Rotary?
By becoming a sponsor you can not only benefit really worthwhile causes, but we will ensure that your support receives the recognition it deserves on our
websites, in our social media and publicity material. We're particularly keen to establish working partnerships with sponsors and to tap into the skills and
enthusiasm of your staff.
If youwould like more information about sponsorship possibilities then please contact Emma Pearce on 07798 555000.
or download our
Support Us
Berkhamsted Rotary Trust Fund CIO
7
Why sponsors and supporters are important
Every community and fund raising event that we organise has
associated costs; for instance the costs of putting on our Annual
Fireworks display for the town typically exceeds £10,000. Even
putting on on our annual Technology Tournament for young
students costs in excess of £1,000.
In recent years year our charity Trust Fund has typically managed
to generate an annual net income of more than £40,000 which is
then disbursed as donations to various charitable causes. We
could not, however, achieve this without the generous support of
sponsors ... both those who provide financial support and also
those who support us in kind by providing essential services free of
charge. Please see our
Why not become a sponsor?
Could you use a higher profile in Berkhamsted and the
surrounding area? Would you and your staff enjoy working with us
on worthwhile, inspirational and fun projects that benefit the local
community or contribute to humanitarian initiatives around the
world? Do you wish to put corporate social responsibility and
sustainability as core values of your brand? If so, would you
consider supporting Berkhamsted Rotary?
By becoming a sponsor you can not only benefit really worthwhile
causes, but we will ensure that your support receives the
recognition it deserves on our websites, in our social media and
publicity material. We're particularly keen to establish working
partnerships with sponsors and to tap into the skills and
enthusiasm of your staff.
If youwould like more information about sponsorship possibilities
then please contact Emma Pearce on 07798 555000.
or download our
Support Us
Berkhamsted Rotary Trust Fund CIO
7
We normally meet on Tuesday evenings
(except after a bank holiday) at the
Town Hall in the centre of Berkhamsted
7:00 for 7:30 pm. (postcode HP4 3AP).
We will protect the information you send us in accordance
with the General Data Protection Regulations, as described
in the RIBI Privacy Policy.
Come and join us!
Berkhamsted Rotary Trust Fund CIO
8
We normally meet
on Tuesday
evenings (except
after a bank
holiday) at the
Town Hall in the
centre of
Berkhamsted 7:00
for 7:30 pm.
(postcode HP4
3AP).
We will protect the information you
send us in accordance with the
General Data Protection Regulations,
as described in the RIBI Privacy
Policy.
Come
and
join us!
Berkhamsted Rotary Trust Fund CIO
8
aaaa
•
Committees and Club Officers
•
Club Programme
•
Members' List
•
Electing a Rotarian
•
RIBI Membership Form
•
Club Procedures
•
ByLaws
Berkhamsted Rotary Trust Fund CIO
9
Information for Friends of Berkhamsted Rotary
• Club Programme • How to book in for a meeting • Sign Up to help with an Event
Information for Members
•
Committees and Club Officers
•
Club Programme
•
Members' List
•
Electing a Rotarian
•
RIBI Membership Form
•
Club Procedures
•
ByLaws
Berkhamsted Rotary Trust Fund CIO
9
Information for Friends
of Berkhamsted Rotary
• Club Programme • How to book in for a meeting • Sign Up to help with an Event
Information for
Members