Rotary Club of Romney Marsh in (semi) lockdown

I’m Barbara Gold, President of the Rotary Club of Romney Marsh. Our Club has 5 female members – and we need more of you, ladies. I’ve been a Rotarian for 6 years. We have a new President each year.

I moved to Littlestone in 2017, with my husband Patrick and our dogs – Rosie and Luke (pictured above) – from Nuneaton, Warwickshire. We love the area; we enjoy being so near the sea in this unspoiled part of the coast. The local people are incredibly friendly, generous (especially when the Club makes its Santa’s Sleigh charity collections), and there’s a wonderful community spirit. Being a Rotarian helped us to settle into your community – you always receive a warm welcome. Patrick has joined the Club, too.

 

What are my hobbies/interests?

The Rotary Club, obviously. Dogs – I’m Chair of a Dog Club and help a Dog Show Society. I exhibit Luke. I judge at Dog Shows occasionally. I play croquet, love reading, enjoy cooking, socialising, and gardening.

 

What makes me laugh/cry?

The fun and banter with Rotarian and other friends and family. The funny things that children innocently say and do. Luke’s antics – a canine comedian. Cry?  Cruelty to any person or animal.

 

Who do I most admire?

No individual but particular types of people, such as doctors, nurses, carers, teachers, humanitarians, creative people.

 

The Rotary Club was founded in America, in 1905, by a lawyer – Paul Harris –who wanted to network and enjoy fellowship whilst undertaking projects and raising funds for the benefit of the community. Our Club, one of 33,000 globally, was chartered in May 1969; happily, Founder Members still attend our meetings. We’re a registered charity and organise events such as concerts, quizzes, annual 10k Run, Santa’s Sleigh collections, Coconut Shy, to raise funds to donate to, mainly, local and national charities and organisations e.g. local hospices, Food Bank, CARM, childrens’ organisations. We have made donations to ShelterBox and AquaBox to provide humanitarian aid in disaster areas and Rotary International has supported an initiative to eradicate polio worldwide.

Because of COVID-19 fundraising activities are severely curtailed (but our 10k Run should go ahead on 15^th November). The Club has decided to make donations only to local charities and organisations at present.

My main aims as President are to ensure that our Club continues to thrive, retains its current members, hopefully recruits a few new members, continues its charitable and community work so far as possible, and that members enjoy the good fellowship and fun.

We’re still holding our formal meetings by Zoom – what a learning curve! – and occasionally have Speakers giving Zoom talks, so at least we can enjoy the camaraderie to some degree and, virtually, share a glass or two.

 

Please visit our website at www.romneymarshrotary.co.uk or find us on Facebook.