Community spirits...

23rd March 2007

• Members enjoying a tipple at a wine tasting event last month.

BURNHAM Rotary Club is constantly striving to help youngsters and improve the community for residents.
Members raise around £20,000 each year to support youth projects and help charities.

The 38-strong group puts on a variety of events to raise the cash including a wine festival, a two-week book sale and regular collections.

Last year, the club started up the Youth Makes Music event, which encourages youngsters from schools across the town to work together to put on a musical production.

The event was so popular the club has decided to make it a regular event.

In March, young cooks can show off their culinary skills in the Rotary Young Chef competition and, in November, members honour youngsters for their achievements and bravery in the community in the Youth of Courage Awards.

Brian Bell, aged 66, of Cross Street, Burnham, has been a member of the club for seven years , joining so he could help others.

He said: “Our primary concern as a club is to try to get involved in the community in a number of ways. It’s there to aid the community and support it in any way possible, particularly youngsters.

“Being part of rotary is a way of giving something back to the community. I feel you only get out of a community what you put in.”

The club also helps with community events and members sponsor Hillview Carnival Club, they volunteer to be marshals on the day and organise collections for the town’s firework display.

Money is given to the Highbridge Arts Festival and members also raise cash for international and national causes which touch their hearts including the Tsunami Appeal and Children’s Hospice South West.
Any youngsters taking part in worthwhile projects can write to the group to ask for financial support.

Mr Bell said: “There are a lot of people who do a lot of things in the local community that people don’t often hear about and it’s mostly youngsters doing it. We do what we can to help in some way. It gives us a lot of pleasure to help.”

Burnham Rotary Club is always looking for new members and causes to support. Women can also join, but many prefer to become members of the group’s sister club, Inner Wheel, which also raises funds for local causes.

To find out more call Brian on 01278 783502.

THE FACTS:
• Name of club: Burnham-on-Sea Rotary Club.
• Founded: 1945.
• Membership: 38.
• Who the club caters for: Anyone of any age interested in fund-raising and helping the community.
• Meeting place and time: Battleborough Grange Hotel, Bristol Road, Brent Knoll, on Thursdays at 7.30pm.
• President/ chairman: Mike Young.
• Who to contact for more details: Brian Bell on 01278 783502.