2019 has been a great year for Melksham Rotary, which meets in the Arthouse twice a month.
We have been able to support international projects such as Shelterbox, which provides emergency shelter and vital aid to those worldwide affected by disaster, plus a school rebuild project in Nepal, and sent 39 all-terrain wheelchairs to Africa to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities there. This last project is ongoing. In June we welcomed 6 Indian Rotarians and partners on a friendship exchange and were able to show them two of Wiltshire’s amazing places – Stonehenge and Lacock.
Closer to home Melksham Rotary have awarded grants totalling over £11,000 to local groups and good causes, including River Mead School, the Food and River Festival and 800th celebrations in the town. We were also instrumental in raising enough funds to launch a new Life Education Centre for Wiltshire, a mobile classroom for primary schools.
The Arthouse Café remains a large focus for the club and is a real community hub. The café is managed by Rotary, but staffed by generous volunteers and a paid cook. If you are looking to volunteer, please come and try us out, you will be very welcome!
The largest project for Rotary worldwide is the fight to eradicate Polio from the world, so in the spring when purple crocuses poke their heads through the grass in St Michaels churchyard, in local schools, in King George V playing fields and in the surrounding villages do think of Rotary’s ongoing battle and support their charity End Polio Now, if you can.
President – Rita Saunders
