Carnforth Rotary Raises Funds at Carnforth Carnival - 5 July 2014

Immediate Past President Malcolm Watkins and fellow Rotarians ran a charity stall where members of the public were invited to try their hand at Sjoelen (Dutch shuffle board) attempting to get 30 wooden discs through slots at the back of the shuffle board at £1 a go. 

The stall was one of approximately 15 to 20 located in and around the Carnforth War Memorial Gardens as part of the Carnforth Festival of Art and Fun. 

The event was organised by the Chamber of Trade and opened by Town Mayor, Cllr Ken Bond. Just over £60 was raised by the club to be donated to local charities.

St Luke's C of E Primary School, Slyne with Hest support Mary's Meals Backpack Project - 4 July 2014

Ninety-nine backpacks fully laden with educational needs – pencils, notebooks, even clothes left St Luke's Primary School, Slyne with Hest this morning on their long journey to a village school outside Blantyre, Malawi.

The newly formed RotaKids Club, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Carnforth, masterminded the project which is a lifeline for the poverty stricken children in that area.  They collected items from parents and friends, then with the help of younger children sorted and packed the backpacks, all achieved in a very short time.  

The backpacks were carried away in larger white bags to Stoke-on-Trent and from there to a Glasgow centre before their long voyage to southern Africa. We look forward to receiving news of their safe arrival.

Long Standing Carnforth Rotarian Cliff Wilkinson Succumbs to Cancer - 3 July 2014

It is with great regret that we have lost another long standing Carnforth Rotarian, Cliff Wilkinson died aged 78 years on Thursday 3 July following a prolonged battle with throat cancer. He was made an honorary member of the club last year ans is survived by his wife, Pauline. Cliff joined Carnforth Rotary Club in March 1978 and will be sorely missed by all that knew him.

Bill Reading Takes the Helm of Carnforth Rotary Club - 3 July 2014

On 3rd July, Bill Reading took over as President of Carnforth Rotary Club from Malcolm Watkins for the Rotary year 2014-2015. Ian Bradley has become President Elect and Past President John Blowes President Nominee. Malcolm Watkins has agreed to become club's the International Committee Chairman.

Music For a Summer Evening - 27 June 2014

Talented young musicians from the Carnforth Young Musician Competition that was held last March performed a variety of musical and vocal pieces at St Mary's Priory, Lancaster which was  introduced by Geoffrey Reed from the Royal Northern College of Music.

The performers chose the Westmorland Music Council for Tuition Grants, a charity focused on helping young people to benefit from the concert profits.

St Luke's C of E Primary School Tea Party - 25 June 2014

On Wednesday 25th June, Slyne with Hest St Luke's Primary School RotaKids Club organised a Tea Party. to raise funds for the provision of a defibrillator to be sited at the Memorial Hall in Slyne. 

The school hall was laid out with tables and chairs, cafe style on which table settings decorated with flowers were ready to receive the customers. The children were allowed to be out of their uniform and dress for the occasion. 

From the opening at 1.45 pm until 3.45 the children were kept busy taking orders and serving cakes and

sandwiches. The adult helpers in the kitchen were on hand making the sandwiches, teas and coffees. 

During the afternoon customers were entertained by the school musicians including some enthusiastic singing by the school choir.  The well organised event was well supported and will have raised a good amount of money towards the purchase of the defibrillator. 

2nd Annual RotaKids Conference - 20 June 2014

Following the successful inaugural Rotakids Conference at Lancaster University last year, the second followed a similar format, the emphasis being on “fun”.

Carnforth Rotary Club currently sponsors two RotaKids Clubs located at Arkholme Primary School and St Lukes C of E Primary School, Slyne with Hest.




The Bowland Centre provided the intimate atmosphere well suited to interaction between the children, teachers and Rotarians. Rotary 1190 District Governor Kevin Walsh welcomed the schools and Margaret Lund, district organiser then ran through the programme of workshops that comprised African drumming, sowing seeds; painting flower pots; a beetle drive to link with Age UK; beadwork for another African project which provides proper sanitation in schools; Sand Dams where the children mixed different coloured sand in a bottle and an appreciation of the Aquabox charity.

Our newest RotaKids Club at St Lukes School was chosen to bring the conference to a conclusion with a very well prepared power point presentation involving the whole team.

Carnforth Rotary Purchases Play Kitchen for Slyne with Hest Pre-School - 16 June 2014

Carnforth Rotary Club received a request from the supervisor of Slyne with Hest Pre-School to fund a new play kitchen.

Slyne with Hest Pre-School was opened in 1969 and is registered on the Early Years Register. The Pre-School is managed by a voluntary committee and located in the village of Slyne in Hest Bank, operating from the memorial hall.

Our Rotary Club visits Slyne each December with Santa's sleigh to raise money for local charity.

The play kitchen has now been purchased and is set up in the Hall. It comprises a number of sturdy wooden units which the children can use in imaginative play. Club President Malcolm met some of the Play Leaders and the children. He was presented with a picture to thank the Club signed with hand prints

Carnforth Rotary Sponsors New Playground Hide & Slide Unit - 11 June 2014

A hide and slide unit  for the Bolton le Sands Playground Project has been purchased by a joint donation of £3000 from Carnforth Rotary Club and a Rotary International Foundation grant. The unit is now installed and complete, forming part of the larger project which will be opened on the 28 July 2014.

The Playground Project has been organised by the Bolton-le-Sands Parish Council Fundraising Group lead by Cllr Linda Leak. Once the playground has been opened, the Parish Council will be responsible for managing the security, annual safety inspections, insurance, and provision of the Safety Inspection certification of the playground. Carnforth Rotary Club and the district grant from The Rotary Foundation will be recognised by a note on the funding board to be positioned at the playground entrance and a plaque on the Hide and Slide unit.

Cheque Presentation to Donna's Dreamhouse - 13 May

President Malcolm Watkins accompanied by Chris Maddox visited Donna’s Dream House in Blackpool to present a £500 cheque to the charity on 13 May.

Donna's Dream House is a charity providing free holiday experiences for children and teenagers with life threatening illnesses and their families. Founded by Len and Barbara Curtis, parents of Donna their only daughter who died of cancer at just 20 years old.

Holidays are also given to recently bereaved siblings and their families. The team who look after all aspects of the Dream House are all volunteers (a specific wish of Donna's) who give of their time, expertise and enthusiasm to ensure that the families have a holiday to remember.

The Dream House brings a sense of wonder, adventure and laughter into the lives of the whole family at a very difficult stage in their lives. All the children who visit are amazed with the house itself and the thoughtfulness of all those who give support throughout their stay. The entertainment centres in Blackpool ensure that the children and their families receive an amazing holiday, by giving of their services free to all who stay in the Dream House.

Whilst the voluntary team of Donna’s Dream House provides the expertise, enthusiasm and administration, it is the generosity of many companies, organisations and individuals in raising and donating money that makes it possible to bring not only sunshine and fun into children’s lives, but a sense of wonder, adventure, laughter and a much-needed holiday in Blackpool for the whole family. Website: www.donnasdreamhouse.co.uk.