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
Seniors Out - Visit to Luton Hoo, 18th Sept 2024
The Rotary Club of Berkhamsted with help from the Happy
Wanderers, which is a local group that provide help for senior
citizens, organised this year’s outing for senior citizens.
This year the visit was to Luton Hoo Walled Garden.
Please see HERE for details.
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 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 partnrship 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.
Berkhamsted Rotary encourages Young Artists and
Photographers
Open Door Berkhamsted is hosting an exhibtion of local young
Artists and Photographers 8th - 29th May 2025.
The Artists comprise 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’.
DYA 2025 saw guest of honour, Victoria Collins MP meet the young
artists, their parents and teachers . Victoria presented prizes and
awards to Best in School winners and the 3 Best Overall artists. Prizes
provided by
JPS Stationers, Chesham.
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’