The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Club stayed active despite lockdown
Rotary clubs, in common with many organisations, have found lockdown extremely challenging during the past year. However, with determination and initiative, members have come up with new ideas to continue our work in communities both locally and overseas.
This week I bring you a summary of the good work done by just one local club. In spite of everything put in their way, members of St Ives Rotary club have kept the club active through Zoom and various newly devised or adapted activities and events. Everyone associated with the club enjoyed their Sunflower Competition in June, collecting their plants in a well organised way. Socially distanced, this event brought some much-needed sunshine into a difficult time.
In July an unexpected request for help with a community garden allowed members to do something worthwhile. They created a spectacular and colourful space just by clubbing together and donating unwanted plants. The garden was designed to acknowledge the hard work of the NHS and other key workers.
In August members were very pleased to hand over a Public Access Defibrillator to the St Ives town mayor. The purchase was inspired by a First Responder and much needed in the town.
In September they held their first Rotary Fair, an opportunity for local talented crafters and artists to showcase their wares. A great day, enjoyed by all with plenty of sunshine.
Once again, in December, as a result of an annual appeal, Rotarians sent 156 shoeboxes to Moldova together with two ovens and a hob. It was great to have such a fantastic response in a year when people did not have much to spare.
Members also were thrilled to be able to go ahead with their socially distanced Santa sleigh schedule. The response from the community was amazing. They were determined to bring some Christmas cheer onto the streets of St Ives and neighbouring villages, despite Covid restrictions.
Since January a team of members have felt blessed to be able to help with marshalling at their local vaccination centre. At the beginning of this year the club launched Young Filmmaker, Young Environmentalist and Young Artist competitions. Winners will be showcased in July at a Celebration of Youth event.
Now restrictions have started to ease, Rotary Picture Trails have been launched. An idea created in lockdown by Sandra King, this promises to be something that grows and grows.
It has been designed to combine exercise with so much more.
Members are currently gathering ‘lots’ for a Silent Auction going ‘live’ in May. This is a first, hoping to bring people together to raise funds for CALMtown, St Ives (mental wellbeing) and other charities supported by Rotary. The auction already has many interesting donations, including tea for two at the House of Commons, and a four ball at two local golf clubs, and so much more.