For several years, our Youth & Vocations Team, led by Mary Madine, has supported local secondary school students through the Rotary Young Artist, Young Musician, and Young Writer competitions. This year marked an exciting new chapter. After 12 months of work with local primary and junior schools, we celebrated our first-ever Rotary Junior Community Award (RJCA). The RJCA is a year-long, non-competitive programme for Year 6 pupils (ages 10–11), open to all. Every child who completes the award is recognised with a certificate and Community Champion badge at a special ceremony. On Friday 12 June, Club President Martin Sampson, joined by Mary, visited Holly Lodge Primary Academy to present awards to seven proud recipients. They were warmly welcomed by Deputy Head Teacher Amy Taylor, who has supported the initiative throughout. Martin also spoke to all Year 6 pupils and inspired Year 5 students to get involved next year - prompting an enthusiastic sea of hands from those eager to take part. Congratulations go to Ben, Elena, Imogen, George, Alex, Joseph and Shayan for their fantastic efforts and achievements

𝗥𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆’𝘀 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳 - 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗧 𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 It is with great regret that the Rotary Club of Farnborough announces that it will not be proceeding with plans to stage the Music in the Park concerts in July 2027. We recognise this will be disappointing news to our many supporters and regular attendees. Over recent months, we have carefully reviewed the event’s viability in consultation with Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care, alongside our sponsors and contractors. Unfortunately, rising and increasingly uncertain costs, combined with less predictable income from ticket sales, sponsorship, and advertising, mean we cannot be confident of delivering the event on a financially sound basis. Any potential loss would ultimately fall to the Club’s members, which is not a risk we can responsibly take. Music in the Park has been a tremendous success over more than 20 years, raising in excess of £500,000 for Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care. This achievement has only been possible thanks to the unwavering support of our local community, sponsors, volunteers, and everyone who has attended and contributed over the years. We are deeply grateful to you all. We would like to reassure our supporters of the following: · Music in the Park is not being abandoned. Its feasibility will be reviewed each year, and if economic conditions improve to a point where it can be delivered sustainably, we will look to bring it back to King George V Playing Fields. · Supporting Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care remains central to our fundraising efforts. · We will soon begin introducing new and varied events for the Farnborough community and beyond. · These events are likely to take place more frequently than Music in the Park, offering more regular opportunities for community engagement. We hope for your understanding as we respond to these challenges and explore new ways to bring people together while continuing to support vital local causes. We would also warmly welcome any ideas or suggestions you may wish to share. Tony Myers Team Lead, MIP Management Team Rotary Club of Farnborough Email: bramblesclose@gmail.com Mobile: 07771 977059

Last Thursday, club members, partners, and friends enjoyed a guided visit to St Michael’s Abbey in Farnborough. Our tour was led by Brother Aelred, a Benedictine monk, who brought to life the rich history of this remarkable “treasure trove” of faith and heritage. We learned how the abbey and monastery were founded in the late 1800s by Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III, as a final resting place for her husband. She also invited a community of French monks to establish the monastery, giving it its distinctive origins. The visit offered a fascinating insight into this peaceful site, tucked away just off the Farnborough Road. Highlights included the abbey church and crypt, where Napoleon III, Empress Eugénie, and their son, the Prince Imperial, are laid to rest. The afternoon concluded with a visit to the Abbey Shop. Group visits for clubs and societies can be arranged directly with the Abbey. Public tours take place every Saturday at 3pm. More information is available at farnboroughabbey.org/visitin…

News about the Donkey Derby tomorrow: ANNOUNCEMENT from the Rotary Clubs of Farnborough and Rushmoor. The FARNBOROUGH DONKEY DERBY 2026 will go ahead on Monday 25th May as planned. However, we are sad to announce that due to the extreme hot weather the donkey races will not take place and the dog show will not go ahead. This is for animal welfare reasons, as decided by our suppliers, and we hope that you will understand. All the other planned activities will be in full swing: 60-odd trade and charity stalls, the main arena act – the Extreme Mountain Bike Show, the children’s entertainer and bands performing on the stage. The fairground will be in attendance offering scary rides and various side shows. There will be several refreshment outlets, including plenty of ice cream to cool you down! Free parking is available on the King George V Playing Field where the event takes place (off Sycamore Road). WE HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL THERE! The event is still going ahead as planned - the gate price will be reduced to £2 per adult - notices will be posted to that effect at the entrances,

Every so often, a speaker at our weekly lunch truly captures both the hearts and minds of our members—and this week was one of those moments. We were delighted to welcome Rebekah Brown, Fostering Recruitment Officer at Hampshire County Council, who spoke passionately about fostering across the county. Rebekah shared her personal journey, recalling how, at just 12 years old, her family began fostering babies who later went on to be adopted. That early experience not only shaped her career but also led her to become a foster carer herself. Today, there are more than 1,700 children in care in Hampshire, ranging from babies to teenagers. These include unaccompanied minors, sibling groups, and children with additional needs and disabilities. Rebekah highlighted the vital role foster carers play and the urgent national shortage of around 6,500 carers. She also guided us through the different types of fostering, who can become a foster carer, and the journey involved. Most moving of all were the words of children who have experienced foster care: “I feel safe and loved. I don’t see it as being in foster care—I see it as being with family.” “Being in care has changed me in an amazing way, and there is no one to thank but my amazing carers.” It was an inspiring and thought-provoking talk, and Rebekah received a well-deserved round of applause from everyone present.

The sun is shining, the days are getting warmer, and the clocks go forward tonight — spring has arrived! 🌷 We’re also counting down to the Spring Bank Holiday on Monday, 25 May, when Farnborough Rotary and Rushmoor Rotary will host the 65th Donkey Derby at King George V Playing Fields, Sycamore Road, Farnborough. 🐴 Save the date — more details coming soon! Until then, enjoy the sunshine and have a wonderful weekend! ☀️

We have often spoken about the devastating impact cancer has on teenagers and young adults — a cause especially close to the heart of Roy Finney, one of our members, who lost his niece, Natasha, to the disease some years ago. In her memory, our club has once again chosen to support the Teenage and Young Adult Cancer (TYAC) charity, based at the Royal Surrey Hospital in Guildford. TYAC works tirelessly to help young people living with cancer enjoy as full and joyful a life as possible. Last week, we were honoured to welcome Ian and Karen Raine, Natasha’s parents, who shared moving stories showing how donations from the generous people of Farnborough make a real difference. From a giant garden cinema screen for a young person to watch The Lion King with friends, to a luxury yacht trip around the Isle of Wight complete with a Cordon Bleu meal — every experience brings moments of happiness and dignity to those facing such difficult times. We were also delighted to add to this year’s proceeds some extra “honey money” – donations from members in exchange for a jar of honey from our club beekeeper. Ian and Karen gratefully accepted our cheque on behalf of TYAC, continuing Natasha’s legacy of hope and compassion. Pictured: President Martin Sampson with Ian & Karen and Roy.

Music filled the air at Farnborough Hill School on Wednesday evening as this year’s Farnborough Rotary Young Musician Competition got underway. Now in our second year of organising the event, it proved to be another magnificent showcase of local talent! Students from Farnborough Sixth Form College, The Wavell School, and Farnborough Hill School took to the stage to perform for our adjudicator, Mark DeMott, Head of Performing Arts at All Hallows Catholic School. Performances spanned a wonderful mix of styles—from Bach and Schubert to Abba, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephen Sondheim, and even Coldplay. After each performance, Mark provided a thoughtful (and often humorous!) debrief, and our President, Martin Sampson, presented each participant with a certificate of achievement and an award. Congratulations to our winners: Instrumental Winner: Charlie Burgess (The Wavell School) Vocal Winner: Norah Dwyer (Farnborough Hill School) A big thank-you to Mrs Maria Young, Farnborough Hill's Headmistress, for giving us permission to use the superb facilities, Joe Adams, Farnborough Hill’s Director of Music, for his invaluable support, and to Mark DeMott for his expert adjudication. The evening was enjoyed by everyone present—including many of our club members—who are already looking forward to next year’s competition!

𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗕𝗼𝘅 – 𝗥𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 In 2000, members of the Helston Lizard Rotary Club in Cornwall developed the concept of a self contained disaster relief box that could be rapidly deployed anywhere in the world. From this initiative, ShelterBox was founded. Today, it operates as an independent international disaster relief charity, maintaining strong ties with Rotary through leadership, fundraising, and a formal global partnership established in 2012. Our club has supported ShelterBox for many years and is proud that Keith Holland now serves as a ShelterBox District Coordinator and Ambassador, a role which includes delivering presentations on the work of ShelterBox across the globe to local clubs, schools, scouts, and other organisations. In a recent interview, Keith expressed his commitment to raising funds that provide shelter and life saving aid to those affected by disasters such as Hurricane Beryl in 2024. His efforts help ensure ShelterBox warehouses around the world remain ready to respond whenever disaster strikes. We are proud to support this ongoing Rotary partnership dedicated to rebuilding lives worldwide. If anyone would like to know more from Keith, please contact us.

📷 The Donkey Derby returns! We’re pleased to announce that the much-loved Donkey Derby, a joint venture organised by Farnborough Rotary and Rushmoor Rotary, will be back at King George V Playing Fields on Spring Bank Holiday, Monday 25th May — and this year, our main sponsor is the Holiday Inn Farnborough The Holiday Inn has proudly hosted Farnborough Rotary Club meetings for many years, and you can even spot our plaque by their front door — a small reminder of our ongoing partnership and community projects planned each week. Curious about what we do or thinking of getting involved? We’d love to welcome you! 📷 Message us on Facebook 📷 Visit: rotary-ribi.org/clubs/member…... 📷 Or call Peter Taylor, Club Secretary, on 0300 772 7011 Join us one Thursday at the newly refurbished Holiday Inn and see the spirit of Rotary in action!

Christmas might be over, but what a fantastic season it has been. Throughout December we walked the streets, knocked on doors, stood in shopping centres, collected, counted and banked every penny you entrusted to us. You dug deep, made donations in person and online, added Gift Aid through JustGiving and chose to give to charity at a time when many other bills were calling for your attention – thank you for that kindness. We could not have done so much collecting without the help of other local charities and organisations, and to them we say a heartfelt thank you. Even with one evening lost to terrible weather and a shopping-centre collection abandoned due to a double booking, your support meant we still raised just over £18,000. From all of us who were involved: thank you, Farnborough – you have made a real difference this Christmas.

𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐏 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒: We deeply regret that due to the adverse weather conditions we have decided not to go out tonight with the Christmas float on the 𝗢𝗹𝗱 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗹 route. We are trying to rearrange this for Saturday evening with a 5pm start, and will advise soon if this is going to happen.

𝗖𝗛𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗠𝗔𝗦 𝗙𝗟𝗢𝗔𝗧 𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗘𝗦 – 𝗗𝗘𝗖𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 We are looking forward to bringing some festive cheer to Farnborough again this Christmas with our Christmas float! Our volunteer teams plan to visit the houses in the roads listed below collecting money for mainly local charities. However, please note that while we aim to cover all planned routes, weather conditions, time constraints, or other unforeseen circumstances may mean we are not able to visit every road as scheduled. We appreciate your understanding and support as we do our best to reach as many of you as possible. 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝘀𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟲.𝟭𝟱 𝘁𝗼 𝟴.𝟯𝟬𝗽𝗺 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 Ringwood Road, Ship Lane, Mariners Drive, Ship Alley, Woodland Crescent, Newton Road, Faraday Road, Baird Road, Bell Close, Fleming Close, Woodstocks, The Chase, Home Farm Close, Farnborough Street, Highgate Lane, Chingford Avenue, Queen Victoria Court. 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟯𝗿𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟲.𝟭𝟱 𝘁𝗼 𝟴.𝟯𝟬𝗽𝗺 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 Collingwood, Knightwood Close, Eldergrove, Andrewartha Road, Cunnington Road, Sycamore Road (southern end), Corfe Way, Whitby Close, Cumbria Court, The Wrekin, Rodmel Court, Whites Road, South Street, Park Road (northern end), Fellows Road, Cambridge Road East, Windsor Road, Yetminster Road, Canterbury Road (southern part), Church Road East, Penns Wood, The Grove. 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟰𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟲.𝟭𝟱 𝘁𝗼 𝟴.𝟯𝟬𝗽𝗺 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲 Avon Close, Medway Drive, Rye Close, Ribble Place, Tyne Close, Sunnybank Road, Tay Close, Thames Close, Trent Close, Tweed Close, Kennet Close, Frome Close, Mole Close, Dart Road, Meon Close, Forth Close, Loddon Road, Swale Road, Severn Road, Newfield Avenue, Middleton Gardens, Fernhill Road (north from Newfield Avenue to Medway Drive on west side of road). 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟲𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟱.𝟬𝟬 𝘁𝗼 𝟴.𝟬𝟬𝗽𝗺 𝗛𝗮𝘄𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 Marston Drive, Fairfax Road, Cromwell Way, Worcester Close, Highgrove, Woodside, Grange Road, Hawley Lane, Lancaster Way, Lye Copse Avenue, Hurst Road, Priors Close, North Close, Covey Close, Harbour Close, Ley Road, Greatfield Road, Moor Road, Hindell Close, Homelea Close, Longfield Close, Sine Close, Churchill Crescent, Churchill Close, Oaken Copse Crescent. 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟳𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟰.𝟯𝟬𝗽𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝟳.𝟯𝟬𝗽𝗺 𝗙𝗮𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝘃𝗲 Fleet Road (western part), Chiltern Avenue, Jubilee Close, Chiltern Close, Trunk Road, Broadhurst, Marjoram Close, Fennel Close, Tarragon Close, Saffron Court, Chive Court, Coriander Close, Nutmeg Court, Sorrel Close, Thyme Court, Juniper Road, Herbs End, Purmerend Close, Baywood Close, Comfrey Close, Chamomile Gardens, Ruth Close. 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟴𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟲.𝟭𝟱 𝘁𝗼 𝟴.𝟯𝟬𝗽𝗺 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗮 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱/𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹 Albert Road (western end), Alexandra Road (northern part), Church Road West (western end), Cambridge Road West, Guildford Road East, Oxford Road, Church Circle, Church Road West (eastern end), Albert Road, Chatfield Close, Firs Close, Chalfont Drive, Belvedere Road, Gainsborough Close, Canterbury Gardens, Boundary Road. Farnborough Central: Pond Road, Sunderland Place, Lion Road, Jupiter Close, Merlin Road. 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟵𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟲.𝟭𝟱 𝘁𝗼 𝟴.𝟯𝟬𝗽𝗺 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗲/𝗡𝗲𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘁 ETPS Road, De Havilland Road, Centrifuge Road, Northolt Close, Coxwell Avenue, Cottesmore Place, Woodvale Road, Langley Walk, Honington Mews, Kenley Place, Duxford Way. Netley Street: Netley Street, Southampton Street, Parish Road, Osborne Road, Guildford Road West, Reading Road (western end), Cross Street, Alma Square, Winchester Street, Lynchford Road (western end). 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟭𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟲.𝟭𝟱 𝘁𝗼 𝟴.𝟯𝟬𝗽𝗺 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 Empress Avenue, Napoleon Avenue, St Michael’s Road, Revelstoke Avenue, Leopold Avenue, Pierrefonde’s Avenue, Cabrol Road, Prospect Road (northern part), Chestnut Road, Tile Barn Close, Vesey Close, Sherrington Close, Burnsall Close, Prospect Avenue. 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟯𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟱.𝟬𝟬 𝘁𝗼 𝟴.𝟬𝟬𝗽𝗺 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁 Sycamore Road (northern part), Castle Close, Woburn Avenue, Ashdown Avenue, Clandon Court, Blenheim Court, Adlington Place, Saltram Road, Chatsworth Road, Broadlands, Goodwood Place, Hatfield Gardens, Clevedon Court, Longleat Square, Wilton Court, Charlecote Close, Upton Close, Blaise Close, Syon Place, Montacute Close, Stourhead Close, Brookwood Road, Manor Road, Talgarth Drive, King George Close. 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟲𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟲.𝟭𝟱 𝘁𝗼 𝟴.𝟯𝟬𝗽𝗺 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘆 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗲 Irvine Drive, Shepherds Walk, Doreen Close, Wayman Road, Henley Close, Linstead Road, Hart Close, Sandy Lane (Irvine Drive to Mendip Road), Mendip Road, Polden Close, Pennine Way, Cotswold Close, Cheviot Close, Cairngorm Place, Fintry Walk, Cambrian Road, Brecon Close, Sidlaws Road, Blackstone Close, Malvern Road, Brendon Road, Sandy Lane (Brendon Road to Mendip Road). 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟳𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟲.𝟭𝟱 𝘁𝗼 𝟴.𝟯𝟬𝗽𝗺 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗹 Broomhill Road, Twelve Acre Crescent, Cripley Road, St John’s Road, Minley Road (back to West Heath Roundabout), Southwood Road (to Westglade), Morval Close, Westglade, Fleet Road (eastern part), Ferndown Gardens, Woodcot Gardens, St John’s Road, Rosemary Close, Church Lane, Minley Road (as far as Rhine Banks), Moselle Close, Rhine Banks, Shakespeare Gardens. 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟴𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟲.𝟭𝟱 𝘁𝗼 𝟴.𝟯𝟬𝗽𝗺 𝗢𝗹𝗱 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗹 Reading Road (eastern part), St Marks’s Close, Minster Close, Hermitage Close, Bruntile Close, Park Road (southern part), Queens Road, Yeovil Road, Gravel Road, Mathews Close, Closeworth Road, Morris Road (northern part), High Street, Peabody Road, York Road, Somerset Road. 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟵𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟲.𝟭𝟱 𝘁𝗼 𝟴.𝟯𝟬𝗽𝗺 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁 Coombe Way, Abbey Way, Monks Close, Douai Close, Old Rectory Gardens, Rectory Road (not north beyond Ashley Road), Barnes Close, Ashley Road, Waverley Road, Avenue Road (southern part), Hilder Gardens, The Sycamores, Pirbright Road, Wood End, Church Avenue (southern end), Salisbury Road (southern part), The Crescent, Avenue Road (northern part), Wymering Court, Rectory Road (western end), Carlyon Close. 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟮𝘀𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟲.𝟭𝟱 𝘁𝗼 𝟴.𝟯𝟬𝗽𝗺 𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟭 (𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁) Beta Road, Brabon Road, Coleville Road, Yeomans Close, Romayne Close, Douglas Place, Stake Lane, Brewers Close, West Heath Road (east of Cove Brook), Stuart Close, Clouston Road, Pitt Way, Watts Road, Giffard Drive (up to Beta Road). 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟰𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟱.𝟬𝟬 𝘁𝗼 𝟳.𝟯𝟬𝗽𝗺 𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟮 (𝘄𝗲𝘀𝘁) Birchett Road, Horn Road, Varney Close, Blunden Road, Credon Close, Stubbs Moor Road, Glebe Road, Riverside Close, West Heath Road (west of Cove Brook), Fernhill Road (southern part), Andrews Road, Hanover Gardens, Mason Road. The End – Happy Christmas!

m · There can be nothing more daunting for a secondary school pupil than to be told that they are going to talk to a Rotary club where the members are almost all older than their own parents! That, however is what happened today when we were delighted to hear from Cassie and James from All Hallows School, Farnham and Jasmin and Lirion from Wavell School, Farnborough, when they came to talk to us after lunch. All four students had recently participated in the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) programme by attending a five day course at an outbound centre in Surrey. During their time there they participated in a variety of mainly outdoor activities aimed at giving them the opportunity to experience and learn things about themselves, about working as a team and more importantly about leading and supervising other people. They all admitted that on Day 1, they all wanted to go home, but by the end of their time there, the smiles on their faces said it all; they had bonded and enjoyed their time away. Together they gave us an excellent presentation supported by slides showing some of the activities they had completed. To recognise their successful completion of the course, Rotarian David Brewerton presented each of them with a framed certificate to take home. Well done all of you!

There can be nothing more daunting for a secondary school pupil than to be told that they are going to talk to a Rotary club where the members are almost all older than their own parents! That, however is what happened today when we were delighted to hear from Cassie and James from @AllHallowsSchool Farnham am and Jasmin and Lirion from @WavellSchool, Farnborough, when they came to talk to us after lunch. All four students had recently participated in the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) programme by attending a five day course at an outbound centre in Surrey. During their time there they participated in a variety of mainly outdoor activities aimed at giving them the opportunity to experience and learn things about themselves, about working as a team and more importantly about leading and supervising other people. They all admitted that on Day 1, they all wanted to go home, but by the end of their time there, the smiles on their faces said it all; they had bonded and enjoyed their time away. Together they gave us an excellent presentation supported by slides showing some of the activities they had completed. To recognise their successful completion of the course, Rotarian David Brewerton presented each of them with a framed certificate to take home. Well done all of you!