With the run up to Christmas Congleton Rotary Club have been kept busy starting with the Christmas light switch on at the end of November. Members were involved with helping the organisers to set up in the morning, marshalling the crowds throughout the day. Doug Parker & Kevin Thompson compered all the stage acts in between singing & playing the organ. One member stood in for Santa during the afternoon sitting in the sleigh in pouring rain having a wonderful time listening to children telling Santa what they would like to receive on Christmas day. Due to a lack of funds there were no fireworks at last years event so this year after the Christmas Light Switch on everyone was treated to a spectacular firework display courtesy of Congleton Rotary club.

Also in November the club staged the annual Bonfire & Firework display in Congleton Park that was very well supported by the local community plus the surrounding villages / towns. The firework display was described by many as truly awesome, fabulous & the best yet!

In December we took part in the “Well Being” show in the Town Hall where we recruited three new members: Patricia Smart, Kathi & Andrew Bott. Also joining the club, Stewart Price. In the New Year we hope to welcome two more new members to join the team.

Back in May all schools in & around Congleton were invited to take part in the Young Artist competition, this years theme being “My Hobby.” Just under 100 entries were received & all were invited to attend the prize giving with their families & friends at New Life Church on Saturday morning December 9th. Unfortunately many were unable to make it as that was the day the snow came down! But for those that did brave the weather they were able to see all the entries that had been photographed by new members Kathi & Andrew. Town Mayor Charles Booth presented every young artist that entered the competition with a certificate of entry plus a small gift. The runners up & winners received fabulous art related prizes courtesy of Burns Garages who very kindly sponsored all the prizes for which the club is extremely grateful. The winners also had their picture / painting framed by Stringing & Frames. For those who were unable to attend Rotary members visited the schools the following week to present the certificates & prizes. We hope to display the photographed entries at different schools & in Congleton library in the New Year.

That same evening it was all member hands on deck at the Daneside theatre for the Rotary Christmas Show. The superb Silk Brass band under the musical direction of Tony Wyatt played a superb collection of festive music & carols that had the audience singing their hearts out & shouting for more. This year we were delighted to welcome the Eaton Bank Academy “Encore” choir under the direction of Cathy Evans with piano accompanist Marilyn Burr. The thirty-six strong choir excelled themselves with their wonderfully varied repertoire including many well known Christmas songs. Silk Brass & Encore joined together at the end of the show for a fabulous finale. The show was a sell out, all tickets being snapped up by eager show goers’ days before the event. Money raised from the show will be donated to Congleton Carer’s Trust who will use it for the benefit of local carers.

2018 promises to be another very busy year for Congleton Rotary Club starting with a visit to Manchester air traffic control tower in January. On February 9th we are holding a 60’s & 70’s night at St Mary’s Parish Centre, tickets available in January at £10 including buffet. The Swimathon takes place on March 8th & 9th at the Leisure Centre, check out our website/facebook page for an entry form.

Congleton Rotary Club is a go-ahead community organisation. New members are always made very welcome. We have members from all walks of life, contrary to popular belief - we are not all old retiree’s! We have many younger working members. Its not all fundraising either, far from it, we have an active social calendar plus many competitions for primary & senior school children. Rotarians in Congleton put into Rotary as much time as they want to. We do meet weekly on Monday evenings but it is not necessary to attend every meeting. We offer a wide range of activities & encourage members to help when they can spare the time. For further information or details about Rotary please call any of the following Rotarians: Brian on 07785-294876, Ian on 07771-665707, Rod on 07764-781657 or Maggi on 07778-757150.

Press release issued by Rod Goodier
rodgoodier@btinternet.com
07764-781657
December 18th 2017