Club of Royston,Herts, UK
Scrapbook For The Rotary Year 2020/2021
26th June 2020 - Donation to Therfield Village School
Royston Rotary Club have once again been able to support its local community with some much needed funding for Therfield First
School. The small village school have been busy planning to build a small extension to their site to create an additional ‘teaching
and learning space’. When the school appealed recently for funds for their project, Rotary members decided to step in. Tara
McGovern, the Headteacher at Therfield, said: “The email from Rotary, was the best news I had received all week! The money is
appreciated particularly under the present challenging circumstances and it will certainly help us to get our project started as soon
as possible.”
The school – which has 51 pupils, around half from surrounding villages and the rest from Royston – are looking forward to creating
a space that can be used for larger numbers of pupils. “Our school is wonderful, but an extra learning space will make a huge
difference to us. Our school is regularly over-subscribed and pupil numbers are high. We are always looking at how we can offer
the very best provision possible. We have worked exceptionally hard to secure the funding necessary to bring this project to life’.
The school has recently opened up to all pupils, following the extensive school closure period with currently 96% of pupils attending
school on at least a part-time basis. This is a phenomenal achievement.
Martin Berry, President of Royston Rotary Club, added: “I’m delighted that we have been able to make a donation. It has had to be a
fairly modest amount of £300 because of a limited charity account this year as a result of having to cancel the annual Royston Kite
Festival. However, we do hope we have been able to bring the school a little closer to its target.”
Tara McGovern, stated that “We would like to thank everybody within the Rotary Club for their continued support to help others.
They offer a shining light in times of need”.
16th July 2020 - A tribute to Rotarian Ken Charles
Ken Charles 1932 -2020
A member of the Rotary Club of Royston
I
have
known
Ken
since
1972
soon
after
he
came
to
Royston
and
was
head
of
Greneway
School.
Our
first
meeting
did
not
get
off
to
a
good
start,
as
we
had
a
difference
of
opinion.
However
this
did
not
detract
from
our
respect
for
one
another
and
later
on
in
1983
he
brought
me
into
Royston
Rotary
Club,
something
for which I have always been very grateful.
Ken
was
a
very
hard
worker
and
a
fantastic
organiser
both
in
our
club
and
elsewhere,
being
chair
of
most
committees
over
the
years
within
the
club
and
went
on
to
be
President
in
1983
followed
by
District
Governor
in
1997
of
district
1080. Ken being the only member within our club to achieve this position.
A list of just a few of his other achievements over the years includes:
Awarded a Paul Harris Recognition in 1997
Presented with a certificate honouring his 40 years’ service in 2018
Awarded MBE in 1986 for services to sport and education
An avid supporter of young people, he introduced the following events to
our Club:-
o
Youth Makes Music (unique to Royston Rotary)
o
Youth Speaks
o
Kids Out
o
Mock Interviews
o
Technology Tournament
o
Kite Festival in 1990 (estimated to have raised £100,000 since that time for charities and good causes
around Royston)
o
Christmas Float
o
RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards-Rutland Water)
o
Children in Need (street collection in Royston)
We shall all miss him.
Words by Rotarian David Richmond.
August 2020 - Donation to Hannah Harries
News has just come through of extraordinary work being done by a local young woman to help children in desperate need.
Hannah
Harries,
a
teacher
from
Whaddon,
has
just
completed
a
year
volunteering
with
a
charity
named
New
Hope
for
Cambodian
Children
in
a
village
near
Phnom
Penh.
Three
hundred
of
the
children
at
the
orphanage
where
her
school
is
based
have
tested
HIV
positive.
“The
spirit
of
the
children
here
–
despite
all
the
hardship
they
have
faced
losing
loved
ones
and
living
day
by
day
with
incurable illness – is truly inspiring,” she says.
Hannah’s
own
story
is
no
less
inspiring.
After
attending
primary
school
in
Orwell
and
then
studying
at
Bassingbourn
Village
College,
she
joined
Lattitude
Global
Volunteering,
an
international
youth
development
charity,
and
travelled
to
a
remote
village
in
Malawi.
“They
had
no
electricity
or
running
water
there,”
she
says.
“We
were
able
to
build
a
school
for
them
and
I
helped
as
a
teacher.”
Fast
forward
six
years,
and
Hannah
is
teaching
Grade
6
children
in
Cambodia,
from
where
she
spoke
to
us
by
Zoom.
“The
charity
I’m
now
working
for
was
founded
by
a
couple
called
John
and
Kathy
Tucker,”
she
says.
“They
originally
went
to
Cambodia
to
help
adults
who
were
dying
with
Aids.
They
soon
realised
that,
as
the
adults
died,
they
often
left
behind
children
with
no
one
to
care
for
them.
More
often
than
not,
the
children
were
also
infected
with
the
HIV
virus.
Many
of
them
were
very
sick
and
dying
as
well.”
Hannah,
who
has
two
brothers,
and
whose
father
worked
for
Royston
Fencing
before
retirement,
still
has
strong
links
with
the
Royston
area
and
she
was
home
last
Christmas
for
a
family visit. “It was lovely to see them all again,” she recalls.
“My
mum
and
I
planned
the
whole
trip
in
secret
and
nobody
else
knew
that
I
was
back
in
Whaddon.
She
hid
me
in
a
great
big
box
under
the
tree
on
Christmas
morning
and
when
the
family
came
downstairs,
I
jumped
out.
To
say
that
they
were
surprised
is
a
bit
of
an
understatement!”.
Visits
home
are,
of
course,
expensive
and
in
the
past
the
Rotary
Club
of
Royston
have
been
able
to
help.
“We
were
fascinated
by
Hannah’s
story
when
she
came
to
speak
to
us
last
year,”
says
David
Blundell,
the
former
Rotary
President.
“She
is
a truly amazing young lady and we would like to do whatever we can to go on supporting her.”
There
is,
however,
a
problem
in
her
coming
back
any
time
soon
–
like
so
many
others
at
this
time,
the
difficulty
is
as
a
result
of
the
Covid19
pandemic.
“I
had
set
my
heart
on
coming
back
to
the
UK
to
visit
the
family
this
summer
before
the
start
of
the
next
school
year,”
she
explains.
“My
brother
and
his
wife,
who
live
in
Ampthill,
just
had
a
little
baby
girl
named
Layla
and
I
am
yet
to
meet
her!
But
of
course,
a
huge
part
of
my
heart
is
here
in
Cambodia
now
and
I
can't
even
begin
to
imagine
not
being
able
to
return
to
work
with these children.
“I
have
contacted
Royston
Rotary,
who
have
been
so
generous
in
the
past,
in
the
hope
that
they
can
help
once
again.
The
issue
is
this:
due
to
Covid,
travelling
in
and
out
of
Cambodia
has
become
very
difficult.
If
you
leave
to
go
home,
then
to
re-enter
Cambodia
as
a
non-citizen
you
have
to
pay
a
deposit
of
$2,000!
This
money
is
then
returned
if
no
one
on
your
flight
tests
positive
for
the
virus.
I’m trying everything I can to raise this deposit money and reaching out to everyone I know.”
Martin
Berry,
the
current
President
of
Royston
Rotary,
said:
“She’s
doing
great
work
and
it
would
fantastic
if
we
could
help
her reach her target. To that end, we plan to donate £350 towards her deposit money.”
Hannah with her grade 6 pupils
in Cambodia
9th August 2020 - First Rotary Walk For Months
On
Sunday
9th
August
the
club
embarked
on
its
first
walk
since
8th
March.
The
turn-out
was
almost
embarrassingly
high
–
eighteen
people
-
which
shows
how
much
we
had
all
missed
each
other’s
company
in
spite
of
our
weekly
meetings
on
Zoom.
The
walk
started
from
the
British
Queen
P.H.
and
looped
north
through
the
village
of
Meldreth;
past
the
stocks
to
the
Church;
through
the
field
behind
the
church;
out
onto
the
High
Street,
and
back
along
by
the
river
Mel
to
the
pigs
enclosure
near
the
Pub
where
we
started.
At
this
point
a
couple
of
people
who
didn’t
feel
up
to
a
full
5
mile
walk,
took
the
opportunity
to
duck
out,
while
the
rest
of
us
carried
on
along
the
path
by
the
river.
I
was
surprised
to
find
that
some
of
our
party
didn’t
know
this
path
existed
–
including
one
person
who
is
a
regular
at
the
pub!
It’s
a
particularly
pretty
path,
running
through
woodland
by
the
river
–
delightful
at
any
time
of
year,
it
is
particularly
lovely
in
the
spring
when
the
snowdrops
and
bluebells
are
out
and
on
a
sunny
day
in
the
Fall
when
the
gold
and
yellow
and
brown
and
red
of
the
trees are reflected in the river.
The
Mel
is
one
of
only
210
pure
chalk
streams
anywhere
in
the
world.
It’s
only
three
miles
long
and
it’s
source
is
at
Melbourn
Bury.
On
this
day
the
river
was
as
low
as
I
have
ever
seen
it,
and
it’s
hard
to
believe
that
since
1760
five
people
have
drowned
in
it
–
most
recently someone in 1980.
The
path
crosses
the
railway
line
and
ends
on
the
Melbourn
Recreation
ground
behind
the
Village
College.
We
walked
on
through
Melbourn
village,
past
Melbourn
Bury
(where
we
probably
should
have,
but
didn’t,
take
a
short
detour
to
visit
the
river’s
source)
and
out
onto
Melbourn
High
Street.
We
walked
out
towards
the
A10
and
turned
right
along
Bury
Lane
to
a
footpath
that
crosses
the
A10
and runs back to Meldreth – coming out at Fieldgate Nurseries. This was another path that some locals didn’t know about.
It
was
a
hot
day
and
everyone
was
ready
for
a
drink
when
we
got
back
to
the
pub.
The
British
Queen
had
set-up
a
huge
marquee
in
their
garden
complete
with
an
outside
bar
that
was
very
well
organised
and
managed
–
everything
had
been
arranged
to
keep
us
all
safely distanced. Lunch was excellent – though not to be recommended for anyone on a diet!
Words and photo by President Martin
The Rotary walkers - all properly distanced from each other!
15th September 2020 - Talk on APS Awareness
The
club
was
given
a
very
informative
talk
on
APS
by
Phil
Godfrey
of
the
Solihull
Rotary
Club.
This
was
done
via
the
magic
of
Zoom
at
our
normal
virtual
club
meeting.
APS
is
Antiphospholipid
syndrome
and
is
apparently
not
very well known about both by the public or by many health professionals.
Phil
explained
how
his
wife
who
was
previously
a
very
active
person
succumbed
to
APS
but
only
through
a
very
late
diagnosis
which
by
this
time
had
made
her
lose
the
use
of
all
her
limbs,
and
became
confined
to
a
wheelchair.
She
sadly
died
of
the
disease
and
Phil
decided
that
his
mission
in
life
would
be
to
raise
awareness
of
APS
by
walking
the
complete
length
of
Britain.
Because
of
multiple
medical
mishaps
he
was
foiled
in
his
undertaking
but
decided
instead
to
circumvent
the
complete
British
mainland
by
train,
meeting people to raise awareness of APS and raising some money.
Phil’s
talk
to
us
recounted
some
of
his
adventures
on
that
trip
and
also
passed
on
some
of
the
relatively
unknown
facts
about
APS
that
most
people
are
unaware of (click on the panel on the right to see these).
There
is
an
excellent
leaflet
on
APS
which
you
can
see
here
and
the
website
for
APS is
www.aps-support.org.uk
13th September 2020 - Monthly Walk
A very select group of Rotarians and partners gathered on the Heath on a spectacularly beautiful Sunday morning in September. Around them
hundreds of people were enjoying the late summer sunshine. Adults and children were playing sports of all sorts – football, rugby, golf – did I
see some people playing hockey? Others were walking – some with dogs, others with their family and others alone. Some people were sun
bathing and relaxing. It was great to see this unique space being enjoyed by so many of the good people of Royston – all socially distanced
between their various bubbles.
In a change to the usual format for our monthly walks, we set-off relatively late at about 11:00 and followed the Icknield way up to Therfield.
Not very far as the crow flies but, being uphill all the way, it was more demanding than it looked on the map. It took about an hour to reach
Therfield, which was good timing because our plan was to stop at the Fox & Duck P.H. for a drink and they don’t open until 12:00. We were very
impressed by the professional way in which the pub managed their responsibilities with regard to Covid-19. We were seated outside, on socially
distanced tables of three and four, and our drinks order was taken at the table and delivered to us very efficiently. Jonathan Berks very
generously paid for the drinks to celebrate his 21st Birthday – which, it turns out, was sometime ago.
The walk back down to Royston by exactly the same route was much easier and bit quicker. This new format – a short walk to a pub for a drink
rather than a long walk to a pub for lunch – worked very well on this occasion. I don’t know if it will become our new standard.
Words and picture by President Martin
September 2020 - Virtual Balloon Race
With
all
our
usual
fund-raising
projects
cancelled
due
to
Covid19
the
club
looked
for
some
alternative
ways
to
raise
money
for
good
causes.
We
eventually
decided
upon
a
Virtual
Balloon
Race
which
we
would
organise
through
a
national
provider
Eco
Racing
(
ecoracing.co
)
after
a
careful
selection.
We
chose
to
participate
in
the
Schools
Back
race
which
was
due
to
lift
off
from
Red
Square,
Moscow
on
14th
September
and
last
for seven days. Virtual balloons would cost £3 each.
By
a
large
majority
of
members,
the
chosen
charity
to
receive
the
proceeds
of
the
race
was
voted
to
be
Home-Start
(Royston,
Buntingford
and
South
Cambridgeshire)
who
do
such
good
and
important
work
with
families
in our community. When we contacted them they were keen to help in any way they could.
We
started
offereing
the
balloons
for
sale
in
mid
June
and
we
had
a
bit
of
a
publicity
blitz
with
the
local
press,
the
village
magazines
and
even
two
internet
radio
stations.
In
addition
we
kept
up
a
steady
(twice
weekly)
stream
of
social
media
posts
on
26
different
Facebook
groups
covering
the
surrounding
area,
sometimes
with
a
video
but
otherwise
accompanied
with
an
eye-catching
pop-art
illustration
with
suitable
words
of
encouragement
to
buy
a
balloon.
By
the
lift-off
date we had sold 1044 balloons in total.
All
the
balloons
lifted
off
exactly
on
time
(12.00
BST)
on
14th
September
and
the
majority
drifted
off
to
the
north
west
of
Moscow.
After
6
hours
the
leading
balloons
were
already
some
60Kms
away
from
the
launch
point
but
all
purchasers
were
anyway
able
to
follow
the
progress
of
their
balloons
on
a
Google
Map
simulation
on
the
Eco
Racing
website.
We
noticed
that
a
rogue
cluster
of
balloons
broke
away
at
the
start
and
headed
in
the
opposite
direction
but
evidently
this
behaviour
was
to
be
expected
and
the
winners
of
the
race
were
the
balloons
that
travelled
the
furthest, whatever the direction they took.
At
the
end
of
the
seven
days
the
leading
balloon
from
our
sales
was
named
“MAS”,
owned
by
Sam
and
having
travelled
some
1391
Kms
and
landing
up
over
Sweden.
Although
his
position
was
only
20th
overall
nationally
and
therefore
not
qualifying
for
any
of
the
main
prizes
he
will
nevertheless
receive
a
cheque
for
£100
from
Eco
Racing
as
the
overall
winner
from
amongst
our
sales (because we had sold over 1000 balloons)
We
have
now
received
the
proceeds
of
the
race
and
we
raised
the
sum
of
£2863.24
(including
£94
donations)
and,
since
there
were
no Rotary expenses, this will be available for donation to Home-Start shortly.
Stop Press: The Club is to round this up to £3,000.
Interestingly,
we
have
now
been
contacted
by
seven
different
Rotary
clubs
to
pick
our
brains
about
the
event
and
are
running
(or
expected to run) their own balloon races to raise funds.
Words by Tony Briar
11th October 2020 - Monthly Walk
Ten
Rotarians
went
on
this
month’s
walk
from
Great
Chishill
to
Chrishall,
Heydon
and
back.
We
met
up
at
Great
Chishill
Village
Hall
Car
Park
which
was
rather
busy
as
there
was
a
football
match
on.
The
weather
was
cool
and
overcast
but
there
was
no
rain.
We
set
off
up
Hall
Lane
then
turned
off
at
Hall
Farm
near
which
is
the
highest
place
in
Cambridgeshire.
John
and
I
have
done
this
walk
many
times
during
lockdown.
We’ve
watched
the
crops
grow,
ripen
and
be
harvested
then
the
fields
ploughed.
Every
time
we
have
commented
on
how
very
dry
and
cracked
the
soil
was.
Not
on
this
occasion!
Very
heavy
rain
the
previous
evening
meant
that
the
path
was
a
bit
muddy.
At
the
end
of
that
footpath
we
turned
right
and
followed
the
road
round
to
Builden
End.
There
are
a
few
very
nice
houses
here
and
at
the
end
of
the
road
there
is
a
pleasant
green
footpath leading to another field. We could hear the stream running in what had been a dry ditch all summer.
The
hardest
part
of
the
walk
came
next.
We
had
to
walk
up
a
gentle
slope
but
the
field
was
very
muddy
so
our
boots/wellies
picked
up
plenty
of
mud.
A
good
workout
for
the
legs!
The
path
follows
the
edge
of
the
field
and
goes
around
the
houses
at
Chiswick
Hall.
One
of
the
houses
here
has
an
outdoor
swimming
pool
which
looked
very
inviting
as
John
and
I
walked
passed
it
in
the
summer.
With the autumn chill in the air I expect the pool is now in winter hibernation.
The
drive
from
Chiswick
Hall
takes
you
to
the
road
to
Saffron
Walden.
We
could
see
Chrishall
church
in
the
distance
which
spurred
us
on
as
that
was
our
stopping
place
for
coffee.
We
went
across
the
road
and
over
a
splendid
new
bridge
into
the
field
leading
to
the
church.
The
bridge
was
closed
for
a
couple
of
years
but
the
replacement
is
very
sturdy.
It
would
seem
a
little
strange
to
spend
so
much
on
such
a
substantial
bridge
over
a
small
stream
(
there
are
other
crossing
places)
but
this
route
is
part
of
the
Harcamlow
Way.
This
is
a
longer
footpath
joining
Harlow
and
Cambridge
and
is
shaped
in
a
figure
of
eight.
The
gentle
slope
up
to
the
church
meant
we had great views of the countryside as we had our coffee.
We
continued
through
the
churchyard,
crossed
a
small
road
and
walked
along
a
grassy
path.
Following
footpaths
we
eventually
turned
right
along
a
little
road,
with
an
interesting
range
of
houses,
which
brought
us
to
The
Red
Lion.
John
and
I
did
a
longer
version
of
this
walk
recently
and
had
lunch
at
the
pub.
The
food
was
excellent.
The
shot
of
brandy
which
came
as
part
of
one
of
the
desserts
really
set
us
up
for
the
walk
back
in
the
pouring
rain.
Today
we
were
too
early
for
a
drink
and
besides
the
sun
was
coming
out
so
we
continued
the
walk
through
the
playing
fields
in
Chrishall.
A
strange
site
awaited
us
as
we
walked
by
the
cricket
pitch.
The
wicket
area
was
covered
in
bags
of
loam
which
had
been
very
precisely
lined
up.
We
asked
the
men
working
on
it
about
the
pattern
of
bags
and
they said it was to ensure an even spread over the wicket. Apparently it helps the batsmen as the bounce is less erratic.
Continuing
on
the
footpaths
we
arrived
a
very
quiet
lane
in
Broadgreen.
From
here
you
can
turn
left
or
right.
Left
would
have
taken
us
through
another
ploughed
field
but
we
had
already
decided
we’d
turn
right
and
join
the
grassy
footpath
which
brings
us
out
onto
Heydon
Road.
A
short
distance
on
was
The
King
William
1Vth
pub.
At
this
point
some
of
the
walkers
stayed
to
have
a
drink
whilst
a
small
party
continued
to
the
end
of
the
walk.
Whilst
we
sat
having
our
refreshments
we
could
see
some
very
dark
clouds
moving
towards
us
so
we
set
off
as
soon
as
we
had
finished.
We
walked
back
along
the
road
to
Great
Chishill
and
the
first
drops
of
rain
started
as
we
reached
The
Old
School
House.
John
and
I
were
home
and
dry
but
I
think
Martin
and
Jo
and
Jim
and
Sephrone
may
have needed to put their hoods up as they walk through Bull Meadow back to their cars.
It was great to be out walking with friends and well done everyone for completing a walk of around 5 miles.
Words by Clarice, Picture by Martin
22nd October 2020 - Feedback Comments About the Covid19 Pandemic
Recently, the Community Breakfast Club asked all the members
what they have learned from the pandemic, so that as a
community, we can all be better prepared in the future.
The responses resulted in a handy checklist (see diagram on the
right) which was derived from the collation of all responses.
These collated results can be see here and the checklist here..
With grateful thanks to all responders including Gillian Morland
(Coombes Community Centre), David Izod (Memory Café), David
Allard (Ramblers, History Soc, WEA), Jackie Cotton (Home-Start)
and Ray Munden (Rotary). Special thanks to Sarah Hillman for
organising and collating the results.
8th and 11th November 2020 - Armistice Day Remembered
On Sunday 8th President Martin attended a service and laid a wreath at the Royston war memorial on behalf of Royston Rotary Club.
He was one of a number of local groups and individuals who remembered the fallen of the two world wars and many other minor
wars.
On Wednesday 11th (the true Armistice Day) there was another short service held at the Royston war memorial where The Rotary
Club raised the Union Flag on the flagpole in Priory Gardens. The flagpole was a gift some years ago from Royston Rotary Club to the
town of Royston.
A short while later a further service was held at the American war memorial in Priory Gardens where the deputy mayor of Royston
laid a wreath to remember the dead of the USAF, particularly of the 91st Bomb Group, who lost their lives in WW2 flying from local
airfields. On this occasion the Stars and Stripes was flown on the flagpole.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning
We will remember them
Pictures courtesy of David Izod and Cllr Mark Hughes
14th December 2020 - A Tribute to Brian Whittaker
The
sad
passing
of
Brian
Whittaker,
leaves
an
enormous
hole
in
our
Royston
Rotary
family.
In
the
twelve
years
Brian
has
been
a
member,
his
contribution
to
the
Club
has
been
immense.
His
extraordinary
ability
to
link
with,
help
and,
indeed
care
for,
so
many
of
us,
seems
totally
irreplaceable.
Not
one
to
self
promote
or
indeed
"hold
the
floor",
his
wide
range
of
abilities
enabled
him
to
be
very
involved
in
wide
range
of
tasks
.
These
included
running
the
Rotary
generator,
knowing
how
to
erect
our
marquee
and
to
acquiring
and
running
our
essential
amplifying
system.
As
well
as
being
Club
Secretary
his
management
skills
came
to
the
fore
when
he
took
on
being
Chair
of
what
must
be
the
heaviest
portfolio
in
our
Club,
the
Youth
Activities
Committee.
His
success
at
this
task
led
him
being
invited by our District to become part of the GB&I Technology Team.
This and all his many other contributions led to a well deserved Paul Harris award in 2018 .
Many
of
us,
on
a
more
personal
level,
will
miss
his
caring
kindness
and
sometimes
very
dry
wit
.
A
perfect
Rotarian?
Brian
would
deny that immediately, but to many of us, he came very, very close...
Words by David Beardwell.
10th December 2020 - Rotary and Round Table cheer up a Child
Unfortunately
even
Father
Christmas
is
not
immune
to
the
restrictions
due
to
Covid.
While
he
is
still
carrying
out
his
tours
on
his
float this year he is not stopping and people are asked to wave from their doorsteps or windows so that no crowds build up.
However,
on
hearing
of
the
plight
of
one
7
year
old
who
had
not
been
able
to
leave
his
house
at
all
in
the
9
months
since
the
epidemic
started,
our
Club
together
with
The
Round
Table
arranged
for
Father
Christmas
to
give
him
a
special
wave
and
for
a
special
early Christmas present to be left at his doorstep. Father Christmas also left him a letter, attached below.
The
child’s
mother,
who
didn’t
want
to
be
named,
said
that
her
son
had
been
very
good
and
positive
during
isolation
and
was
thrilled
that
Father
Christmas
hadn't
forgotten
him.
The
wave
from
Father
Christmas
and
the
present
made
him
very
happy
and
he
was
enthusiastically
playing
with
his
gift.
She
also
said
that
he
keeps
reading
his
letter
from
Father
Christmas,
so
she
is
very
grateful
to
The Rotary Club, The Round Table and, of course, Father Christmas.
Words by Ray Munden
15th December 2020 - Monthly Walk
Just
for
a
change
we
decided
to
try
a
midweek
stroll
because
the
weekends
have
been
very
busy
with
families
out
walking
and
enjoying
the
fresh
air,
and
rightly
so.
Thank
goodness
we
did
as
it
turned
out
to
be
the
most
glorious
day
whereas
Sunday
was
cold,
wet and windy.
Sunshine
and
blue
skies
greeted
us
as
we
met
at
The
Wandlebury
Estate
just
outside
Cambridge/Stapleford.
A
Baker’s
Dozen
met
at
10am
and
keeping
to
the
socially
distancing
rules
we
had
a
splendid
wander around the estate.
There
is
around
2,000
years
of
history
attached
to
Wandlebury
beginning
with
the
Iron
Age
and
also
as
a
home
to
The
Romans
who
built
the
Roman
Road
along
its
boundary
line
beginning
in
Colchester
right
along
to
Cambridge.
Many
human
remains
have
been
found
in
the
grounds
along
with
the
remains
of
a
small
village
in
Varley’s
Field.
For
those
of
you
interested
in
finding
out
more,
there
is
a
very
good
website
you
can
check
out.
It
was
once
an
18th
Century
Country
Estate
and
it
has
also
been
the
home
to
the
famous
Godolphin
Stables
of
Arabian
horses.
The
Grade
11
Stable
Blocks
are
now
beautifully
retained
as
private
houses.
In
1954
the
whole
estate
was
refurbished and the walled gardens are all currently under renovation.
There
are
many
myths
and
legends
attached
to
this
area.
Not
least
the
Gog
Magog
Hills
which
have
attracted
poets
and
writers
from
all
walks
of
life,
telling
tales
of
giants,
knights,
pagans
and
the
Greek
gods
-
Gog
and
Magog.
Apparently,
a
ghostly
tale
from
Gervase
of
Tilbury
in
1219
tells
us
that
Wandlebury
was
once
ruled
by
a
dark
night-rider
who
no
mortal
could
defeat.
Thankfully
it
was
daylight so we didn’t meet up with him!!
Along
the
route
there
are
various
viewing
points
on
the
Roman
Road
where,
on
a
clear
day
like
ours
you
can
see
Ely
Cathedral.
Mind
you,
you
need
a
sturdy
pair
of
binoculars
like
Ray
Mundon’s
to
be
able
to
find
it.
Having
pointed
it
out,
it was just about visible with the human eye.
We
had
a
thoroughly
magical
time
together
catching
up
on
new
and
old
news
but
mostly
the
great
friendship
we
all
experience
within
our
amazing
club.
At
the
end
of
our
walk,
we
again
socially
gathered
to
enjoy
home
made
Mince
Pies
and
to
raise
a
toast
with
Hot
Mulled
wine
to
everyone
in
Rotary
and
Freewheelers.
Wishing everyone a Very Happy Christmas and Hopes and Prayers for a very much Happier and Healthier 2021.
Lyn and Jonathan Berks
Christmas 2020 - Gifts delivered to St George’s Nursing Home
Because
of
the
risks
to
residents
during
the
current
Covid19
pandemic
it
was
impossible
for
the
Rotary
Club
to
install
the
usual
three
Christmas
trees
at
St
George’s
Nursing
Home
in
Royston.
The
Community
Service
Committee
of
the
club
was
undeterred
and
arranged to provide gifts for the residents instead.
After
many
days
of
ordering,
wrapping
and
labelling,
every
resident
of
St
George’s
was
equipped
with
a
beautiful
fleece
rug
wrapped
up
in
Christmas
wrapping
paper
and
labelled
with
each
of
their
names,
also
with
personalised
Christmas
cards.
These
were
duly
delivered
to
St
Georges
where
they
were
placed
around
their
own
self-assembled
Christmas
tree
(see
picture
on
the
right)
Bryony recently received a thank you email from St George’s as follows
February 2021- Remembering Rotarian Captain Sir Tom Moore
The club’s joint flag officers were proud to fly the Union Flag on the
Community flagpole in Royston’s Priory Gardens to recognise the recent
passing of Captain Sir Tom Moore, The flag was lowered to half staff as a
sign of our respect for his efforts in raising in excess of £33M for the NHS
during the recent pandemic.
Tom Griffin, Rotary GBI President, has previously said that Captain Tom
would be greatly missed, and insisted he was the epitome of a Rotarian.
Tom said: “Captain Tom was an inspiration to the whole country last year,
and a ray of light in a dark time. His determination to ‘do something’
demonstrated just what anyone can do to serve their fellow humans. “I am
delighted that Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland recognised Sir Tom last
year in awarding him honorary membership and Paul Harris Fellowships.
As a former Rotarian, Captain Tom epitomised Rotary’s motto of ‘Service
Above Self’.”
Last summer, the newly-knighted Captain Tom received a Paul Harris
Fellowship, a recognition named after Rotary’s founder. The Fellowship was
championed by Flitwick Vale Rotary Club, which is based close to the family
home in Bedfordshire. And it was during that presentation ceremony that
Captain Tom revealed that he had previously belonged the Rotary Club of
March, Cambridgeshire, whilst working there as manager of a concrete company.
The Community Flagpole was given by the Rotary Club of Royston to the Town to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the foundation of
the club. It was given for the benefit of the Community.
The Union Flag is flown to note national events, the British Legion Flag during the poppy collecting period, the Arts Festival flag during
their annual festival and the Town Council flag for Council events and the Rotary Flag for Rotary occasions. At other times the Green
Flag is flown to recognise the high standard of upkeep of the Priory Memorial Gardens. During 2020 there was a flag flying for 150
days.
Many folks strolling through Priory Gardens stop to see why the flag is flying and especially to ask when we hoist it.
13th February 2021 - Our Club Supports Local Initiatives
Two
local
initiatives
doing
vital
work
in
the
pandemic
to
help
vulnerable
families
and
their
children
are
to
be
supported
by
the
Rotary
Club
of
Royston.
Both
the
Children’s
Services
Family
Support
Team
in
the
town,
and
an
organisation
named
Make
Lunch
Royston
,
will each receive a donation of £500 through the club’s Trust Fund.
Rotarian
Graeme
Dargie,
leader
of
the
Rotary
Club’s
Youth
Activities
team,
said:
“We
are
delighted
to
be
able
to
help.
We
know
that
there
are
families
going
through
particularly
tough
times
at
the
moment
and
it’s
part
of
the
role
of
Rotary
to
help
the
local
community
wherever
it
can.”
Caromy
Shannon,
Lead
Family
Support
worker,
said:
“We
have
been
asked
to
participate
in
the
Herts
County
Council
Winter
Grant
scheme
under
which
families
we
know
to
be
struggling
financially
will
get
supermarket
vouchers
to
help
with
the
cost
of
food
and
other
essentials
.
It
is
a
new
scheme
initiated
by
Herts
Children’s
Services
being
co-ordinated
through
the
Heads
of all the Royston Schools.
“Additional
help
from
Rotary
Club
Royston
at
this
time
is
invaluable.
On
behalf
of
the
families
who
will
benefit,
I’d
like
to
say
a
big
thank you.”
Louise
Bradley,
coordinator
of
Make
Lunch
Royston,
said:
“We
have
been
providing
free-of-charge,
healthy,
meals
to
families
during
school
holidays
for
six
years.
Holidays
can
be
a
very
difficult
time
for
families
whose
children
would
normally
receive
a
free,
cooked
meal
at
school.
We
are
entirely
funded
by
grants
and
donations
and
each
holiday
we
receive
more
applications
from
local
families
asking
for
support.
We
are
extremely
grateful
to
the
Royston
Rotary
Trust
for
their
generous
donation
-
their
gift
will
help
us
support
more families this year.
Thanks
again
for
your
support!
We
are
really
very
grateful!
You
can
find
more
information
about
us
at
https://www.facebook.com/makelunchroyston
or email us on
makelunch@tlcroyston.org.uk”
If
anyone
would
like
to
lend
their
support
to
these
worthy
causes,
they
may
do
so
on
the
Rotary
Club
of
Royston's
Just
Giving
page
at
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/Makelunch
16th February 2021 - Young Photographer Competition Results
The
Young
Photographer
Competition
is
a
well-established
and
successful
event
organised
and
promoted
by
Rotary
in
Great
Britain
and
Ireland
(
Rotary
GB&I)
.
The
Rotary
Club
of
Royston
organised
the
local
heat
for
the
up
and
coming
young
photographers
in
the
Royston
area
and
in which each entrant had to submit a portfolio of three photos on the theme of Wild Nature.
Graeme
Dargie,
Chair
of
Youth
Opportunities
for
the
Rotary
Club,
said
“we
didn’t
get
a
large
number
of
entries
but
the
quality
made
up
for
that.
The
youngsters
demonstrated
a
really
good eye for composition.”
The
winner
in
the
7
to
10
age
group
was
Jack
Kirby
.
One
of
Jack’s
photos
was
of
a
dew
laced
cobweb
with
Foxton
Church
in
the
background.
The
judges
(Keith
Truman
and
Peter
North
from
the
Melbourn
Photographic
Club
and
Ray
Munden
from
Royston
Rotary
Club)
said
that
this
was
very
creative
with
the
cobweb
beautifully
in
focus
but
with
the
church
in
the
background
being
lovely
and
diffuse
Olivia
Frost
won
the
older
age
group.
Her
photograph
of
a
Blackbird
gained
significant
praise
for
being
perfectly
focused
and
showing some good natural behaviour of the bird.
A
shot
by
Charlie
Grimes
of
a
lichen
covered
tree
was
also
highly
praised.
It
had
an
interesting
use
of
colours
and
the
out
of
focus
trees in the background gave an eerie feel to the image.
We should like to thank all the young people who took part in the competition and we commend them all for the high quality of their
pictures. All of the photos entered into the competition together with the names of the photographers are set out in the album
below. This photo gallery contains all the entries in the competition together with the photographer’s name and title of photo (if
given). The photos will automatically step forward every 5 seconds but you can use the numbered strip at the top to select a
particular photo at any time. The two winning entries (and the highly praised entry) are the first three in the album.
Two
local
youngsters
have
excelled
in
a
competition
organised
by
the
Rotary
Club
of
Royston.
Jack
Kirby
,
aged
10,
and
Olivia
Frost
,
aged
11,
were
winners
in
the
junior
and
intermediate
categories
respectively
of
the
young
photographer
contest,
run
earlier
this
year.
As
winners,
they
were
then
entered
in
the
next
stage,
run
by
Rotary
District
1260,
which covers all of Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
Jack’s
photo,
‘Nature
co-existing
with
Man’
–
a
misty
view
of
the
church
of
St
Laurence,
Foxton
-
will
now
go
on
to
the
national
competition
,
which
covers
the
whole
of
Great
Britain
and
Ireland.
Jack
lives
in
Foxton,
and
is
a
student
at
the
local
Primary
School.
The
judges
felt
that
his
entry
was
‘a
very
well-observed
picture
and
one
that
many
adults
would
have
be
proud
to
have
taken.
“You
have
the
framing
just
right
and
a
beautiful
depth
of
field
with
the
spider’s
web
pin
sharp
and
the
church
thrown
out
of
focus
to
provide the perfect backdrop.”
While
Olivia’s
picture,
‘Blackbird’,
did
not
win
her
category,
it
did
receive
a
‘
highly
commended’
from
the
judges,
who
liked
the
story
it
told
of
a
mother
or
father
bird
gathering
food
for
its
nestlings.
They
said:
“You
have
done
rather
well
here.
The
blackbird
is
nicely
sharp
and
the
blurred
background
shows
that
you
have
selected
a
good
aperture.”
Olivia,
who
lives
in
Royston, is a year 11 student at King James Academy.
Graeme
Dargie,
chair
of
Royston
Rotary
Club’s
youth
activities
committee,
said
“we
were
very
impressed
with
the
quality
of
all
the
entries
we
received
to
our
competition,
which
can
be
seen
on
our
web-site;
and
we
are
delighted
that
Jack
and
Olivia
both
did
so
well
in
the
district
competition. We wish Jack good luck in the national competition.”
30th April 2021 - Local Successes in the Rotary Photographic Competition
9th May 2021 - Monthly Walk
Our
last
walk
was
in
December
when
we
were
at
Wandlebury
and
Lyn
and
Jonathan
supplied
us
with
mulled
wine
and
mince
pies.
Little did we know how long we’d have to wait to have a Sunday walk again.
Our
first
walk
of
the
year
attracted
18
walkers
including
neighbours
of
Lyn
and
Jonathan.
We
met
in
the
Barkway,
Recreation
Ground
car
park
for
a
walk
to
Newsells
village
and
back.
We
began
walking
along
the
footpath
to
the
side
of
the
Social
Club
turning
right
into
a
field
until
we
came
to
a
gate.
In
the
distance
we
could
see
an
obelisk
and
John
gave
us
the
first
of
several
bits
of
historical
information.
The
obelisk
was
erected
by
Sir
Hugh
Rose,
later
Lord
Strathnairn,
in
memory
of
his
favourite
charger,
which
had
carried
him
well
during
the
Indian
Mutiny.
It
was
built
in
the
late
18th
century
and
stands
about
15m
tall.
It
is
a
grade
2
listed
building.
Of
course
everyone wanted to know the name of the charger but this wasn’t known.
The
path
took
us
downhill
and
onto
the
Newsells
Estate
where
we
stopped,
by
a
pretty
cottage,
to
hear
about
the
history
of
the
estate and stud.
The estate covers 1,200 acres and the stud, established 100 years ago, has bred many successful racehorses.
We
went
past
a
gate
to
walk
through
a
small
wooded
area
before
leaving
the
trees
to
take
the
path
to
Newsells
village.
There
are
only
a
handful
of
houses
in
the
village
but
they
are
very
picturesque.
Our
own
Neil
Heywood
once
lived
here
before
moving
to
Great
Chishill.
A
short
walk
along
the
quiet
road
brought
us
to
the
war
memorial.
Here
John
was
able
to
give details of some of the people named on the stone.
We
followed
the
track
along
to
a
T
junction
and
turned
right
up
the
slope
which
gave
us
good
views
of
the
countryside.
At
the
top
of
this
section
we
came
out
behind
The
Chequers
in
Barley.
We
turned
right
along
the
road
to
meet
the
B1368.
The
walk
involved
a
short
stretch
on
this
road
before
allowing
us
to
walk
on
the
bank
beside
the
road.
It’s
a
tricky
150m
as
mentioned
in
my
risk
assessment.
The
bank
itself
was
full
of
cowslips.
A
little
further
on
we
were
able
to
leave
the
roadside
and
take
the
footpath
back
into
the
estate
where we stopped in a wooded area for coffee.
We
could
see
some
of
the
horses
in
the
distance.
At
this
point
Jim
said
he
was
going
to
go
on
ahead
having
double
checked
the
route with me. John and Jim had set some geocaches in this area some years ago so we were both confident he knew the way.
Suitably
refreshed
we
walked
through
another
lovely
wooded
area
which
brought
us
back
to
the
war
memorial.
With
two
styles
ahead,
the
group
split
briefly
to
enable
some
walkers
to
do
a
footpath
without
styles.
We
re-joined
at
the
gate
to
the
wood
we
had
walked
through
near
the
start
and
retraced
our
steps
back
to
the
obelisk.
There
was
no
sign
of
Jim
but
we
thought
he
might
be
waiting
for
us
at
the
car
park.
When
we
reached
the
car
park
there
was
no
sign
of
Jim
and
there
was
genuine
concern
about
where
he
was.
He
didn’t
have
a
mobile
phone
so
John,
Martin
and
Ray
set
off
in
different
directions
to
look
for
him.
Shortly
after
we
could
see John and Jim walking down the road from a different footpath. All was well.
Typical
of
Jim
he
couldn’t
see
what
the
fuss
was
about.
He’d
taken
a
wrong
turning
and
ended
up
at
the
big
house
on
the
estate.
I
suppose he can claim he was the only one to see it!
We were very lucky with the weather and many of us stayed for a picnic on the recreation ground and a chance to have a good chat.
It
was
great
to
be
back
walking
with
everyone.
I
think
the
risk
assessment
needs
a
tweak
after
losing
a
walker!
As
for
the
name
of
the
charger,
all
efforts
to
find
out
have
drawn
a
blank.
I
guess
it’s
mentioned
on
the
obelisk.
What
we
need
is
someone
who
goes
off
track and ends up where they shouldn’t be………
Clarice!
Coffee Break in the woods
The war memorial
The Rotary Walkers staring off
Two
young
girls
from
the
village
of
Reed
have
been
recognised
for
the
astonishing
contribution
they
are
making
to
their
community.
With
the
support
of
their
parents,
twins
Sophie
and
Emily
Harrison,
aged
13,
have
been
involved
with
village
events
for
several
years
–
everything
from
a
fund
raising
“treadmill
walk”
to
a
“bike
and
hike”
around
local
churches.
But
it
was
their
involvement
with
the
village
church
of
St
Mary’s
which
really
caught
the
imagination,
and
when
the
Royston
Rotary
Club
appealed
for
nominations
for
the
prestigious
Young
Citizen
Award
2021,
friends,
neighbours
and
their
local
rector
had no hesitation in putting their names forward.
Both
girls
are
learning
to
play
musical
instruments
and
it
was
their
interest
in
music
that
led
them
to
step
in
and
help
when,
like
churches
all
over
the
country,
St
Mary’s
was
forced
by
the
Covid
pandemic
to
cancel
public
worship.
First,
the
girls
offered
to
learn
the
hymns
and
songs
chosen
for
each
weekly
service,
to
be
broadcast
on
YouTube.
They
had
to
rehearse
to
a
good
performance
standard,
which
often
took
several
hours
each
week.
They
then
recorded
these
at
their
home
-
in
4-part
harmony
with
their
parents
-
ready
for
Sunday
morning service.
As
the
lock-down
continued,
and
the
church
changed
to
“live-links”,
Sophie
and
Emily
became
even
more
involved
and
presented
some
of
the
set
readings
and
with
prayers
which
they
often
wrote
themselves.
Throughout
the
second
lock-down,
both
girls
continued
their
contribution
and
commitment
to
the
on-line
services
each
week,
providing
live
music.
News
of
the
success
of
these
live
services,
especially
the
music,
spread
in
the
village
and
beyond,
inspiring
many
to
log-in
and
enjoy
singing
with
the
girls.
Some
people
joined
the
services
from
larger
villages
and
towns,
as
they
found
being
able to sing during the service uplifting and beneficial to their mental health.
In
a
letter
of
support
for
the
girls’
Young
Citizen
nomination,
The
Reverend
Canon
Ruth
Pyke,
Rector
of
Barley,
Barkway,
Reed
and
Buckland,
said:
"I
have
known
Sophie
and
Emily
for
over
five
years
and
they
both
participate
in
the
life
of
the
community
of
Reed
and
of the church in a way that many adults do not manage.”
Sadly,
the
girls
did
not
win
a
national
award,
although
they
were
shortlisted,
but
Royston
Rotary
was
determined
that
they
should
have
the
recognition
they
deserve.
So,
last
week,
senior
members
of
the
club,
led
by
Martin
Berry,
the
President,
went
to
St
Mary’s,
to
give each of them a certificate. In addition, they also received letters and a certificate from Rotary International.
President
Martin
said:
“Sophie
and
Emily
are
delightful,
unassuming
young
people
who
have
superbly
demonstrated
ability,
commitment,
maturity
of
character
-
and
excitement
for
this
project.
They
have
used
their
musical
talents
in
new
ways
and
have
grown
in
confidence.
They
have
worked
hard
to
reach
and
maintain
high
standards
and
have
been
aware
of
-
and
are
proud
of
-
the
difference that they have made - and continue to make - to their community in these difficult and challenging times.”
Sophie
said
afterwards:
‘It
was
a
pleasure
to
contribute
to
the
church
and
being
nominated
for
the
Rotary
Young
Citizen
Award
was
very
exciting.’
Sister
Emily
added
‘I
really
enjoyed
being
able
to
make
a
difference
to
our
online
church
services
and
share
my
enthusiasm for music with others. It was an honour to be awarded a Royston Rotary Young Citizen Award.’
23rd May 2021 - Young Citizen Award