Rotary makes it a gift to remember

“People who need people are the luckiest people in the world.” Famous words from the Barbara Streisand song given extra special meaning thanks to Rotary.

A Deepings Rotarian received an email from a complete stranger: “My name is Dawn Heath. I’m a Rotarian from Wisconsin, USA and came across your Rotary website online. My mother-in-law lives in Market Deeping, (Maureen Heath) and I’m trying to organize a gift to be delivered to her. I’ve tried ordering something special online but it’s much harder to deliver in the UK than you’d think. I’d like to organize a bottle of The Famous Grouse whisky for her but I’m out of ideas. Do you know of a local grocery store where I can order online? Thank you so much for your time and consideration.”

Peter suggested the local Spar Shop owned by Rotarian Amrit Mistry, a member of his Club. It turned out Maureen had worked for Amrit for many years before she retired and lives just down the street from the shop! Dawn contacted Amrit and ordered her gift to be delivered. Dawn said “How wonderful to find a Rotary Club back home I could reach out to for help. I am so happy to hear from you.”

The final chapter – Deepings Santa Sleigh delivered the gift to Maureen together with a bouquet of flowers from Deepings Rotarians. Af- terwards Dawn said: “This is just so wonderful I have tears in my eyes! I can’t believe how this all came together to be such a wonderful Christmas for Mum! I just can’t thank you all enough. I’m about to go to my local Rotary Club meeting to share my wonderful story.” Rotary is truly international!

The festive season for people living in the Deepings area began when the world famous Grimethorpe Colliery Band arrived on the first Saturday evening in December. Once again Deepings Rotary Club welcomed a packed hall to their 28th consecutive Community Christmas Concert. Next year will be a significant 100th anniversary for the band – quality clearly lasts. The event involves a huge amount of organising and financial outlay but the community respond by coming every year.

This year the band played some new and complex pieces but the programme also included some old favourites. Flugelhorn soloist Laura Hirst delighted us with Away in a Manger and, by popular request, soloist Michael Dodd gave his haunting rendition of O Holy Night.

Once again it was a wonderful evening with the band accompanying carols sung by the audience and the delightful children from The William Hildyard School singing for us accompanied on guitar by their music teacher.