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