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Rotary Magazine for District 1210

Ellesmere Rotary’s annual Bell Boat Regatta
will take place on The Mere on Sunday 2nd
July. Regatta Committee Chair, Geoff Corfield
said that planning is progressing well for this
stellar event in the town’s calendar. People
can expect a day full of excellent competition
with accompanying attractions for all the
family on the adjacent Cremorne Gardens. It
is intended to run four classes of race: Family,
Open, Ladies and Juniors. The new class of
family team should consist of four adults and four children, with an experienced operator provided
on rudder by the organisers.

Geoff also announced that the main beneficiaries of this year’s event will be two charities with strong
local links that offer support to people with learning disabilities. The first is Flamingo Lounge, which
has organised a number of events at The Comrades Club in Ellesmere. It provides fun, inclusive
events for people with learning disabilities, those living with neurodiverse condition, and their carers
to take part in night life culture and economy, as party goers, performers and producers. The
organisation is disability-led and provides live events locally, and outreach opportunities such as
mobile discos or DJ and Event workshops, all to fulfil their aims and values of social inclusion.
The second is Our Space, in Trimpley Street, Ellesmere, which is run by the charity Bethpage. In
addition to housing the Ellesmere Library, at Our Space Bethpage offer support to and activities for
the elderly and those with learning disabilities. Over the years Our Space has provided an invaluable
venue for many local activities that could not have taken place without it.

In March, Rotarians from the three clubs in
Stafford visited Doxey Primary School and
enjoyed a day of engineering.

It was the first time since the pandemic that it
was possible to organise a Rotary Technology
Challenge, and the day was spent with the final
year six students on the challenge.
Students were introduced to engineering and
the work of Engineers. The day commenced
with three short presentations from Rotarians,
to enable the students to understand the brief
and what they are aiming to achieve. The
students then embark on designing and
building a scale bridge. The project introduces
discipline, design, problem solving skills and
the building and testing of the final bridge.
Students took part in groups of four and
worked together to complete the tasks. Tools
and material were supplied by the Rotary Clubs
and included cardboard, paper, wood and plenty of Sellotape!

On completion of the bridge, there was a testing process and a final decision on the winning team.
The students thoroughly enjoyed the day and were fully immersed in the project and tasks. The
students were bright and enthusiastic throughout and a credit to the School.

SPRING 2023 ROTO 9