Hereward Rotary President’s message:

Rotary is an amazing organisation!  Started more than 100 years ago, there are 35,000 Clubs in many countries.  Polio is almost eradicated across the world thanks to the Rotary campaign with the World Health Organisation and recently also supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.  Working with other organisations, such as Shelterbox, Rotary responds to disasters across the globe, supports education and promotes health in developing countries but perhaps most importantly we are raising money and helping local charities and organisations in Ely.

Rotary in the UK is sometimes seen as stuffy and over formal but at Hereward we have done away with unnecessary formality – we no longer have a weekly meal (though we go out somewhere different each month), we focus on social activities including outings to interesting places, organise events to raise money for good causes both local and international, get involved in practical activities in our community (such as the Back Hill Garden) and run the Art Competition for schools.  Half our members are women, we welcome couples, we understand that it is not always possible to attend every meeting because of work or other commitments.

We would like to recruit more members to help with running local events!  The Ely Fireworks 1n November,  which we are organising with members of the Ely and Soham Rotary Clubs and the Scouts.   With the Rotary Club of Ely, we will be working on Aquafest and the Christmas collection with Father Christmas around the streets of Ely.  We will be marshaling at the Potato Race in October, raising money with a stall at Apple Day and Eel Day, selling mulled wine and mince pies at the Christmas lights switch -on, putting on a concert and dance at the Maltings in the spring – and more!

Rotary clubs are looking for people who want to give back to their communities.

If you would like to be part of Hereward Rotary, please contact us!

Chris Lee 2022-23