Rotary Club of Farnborough District 1145

Rotary Club of Farnborough District 1145 Farnborough Rotary Club meets Thursdays 13.00 at Holiday Inn. People of Action helps define Rotary

Thank you for your kind words. It’s a privilege for our Rotary club to support Hart and Rushmoor Young Carers. Your dedi...
16/06/2026

Thank you for your kind words. It’s a privilege for our Rotary club to support Hart and Rushmoor Young Carers. Your dedication to these remarkable young people is inspiring, and we’re glad to play a small part in helping them feel valued and supported. Of course, the funds we donated came from Farnborough residents who have supported our fund raising activities.

For several years, our Youth & Vocations Team, led by Mary Madine, has supported local secondary school students through...
15/06/2026

For several years, our Youth & Vocations Team, led by Mary Madine, has supported local secondary school students through the Rotary Young Artist, Young Musician, and Young Writer competitions.

This year marked an exciting new chapter. After 12 months of work with local primary and junior schools, we celebrated our first-ever Rotary Junior Community Award (RJCA).

The RJCA is a year-long, non-competitive programme for Year 6 pupils (ages 10–11), open to all. Every child who completes the award is recognised with a certificate and Community Champion badge at a special ceremony.

On Friday 12 June, Club President Martin Sampson, joined by Mary, visited Holly Lodge Primary Academy to present awards to seven proud recipients. They were warmly welcomed by Deputy Head Teacher Amy Taylor, who has supported the initiative throughout.

Martin also spoke to all Year 6 pupils and inspired Year 5 students to get involved next year - prompting an enthusiastic sea of hands from those eager to take part.

Congratulations go to Ben, Elena, Imogen, George, Alex, Joseph and Shayan for their fantastic efforts and achievements.

Only 10 days since the Donkey Derby, and the weather has certainly changed. While this year’s event was a little differe...
04/06/2026

Only 10 days since the Donkey Derby, and the weather has certainly changed. While this year’s event was a little different—without the donkeys, dog show or Miller’s Ark animals—it was still a fantastic day. Here’s a reminder in photos taken by John Fletcher, Rushmoor Rotary Club.

31/05/2026

𝗥𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆’𝘀 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳 - 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗧 𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧

It is with great regret that the Rotary Club of Farnborough announces that it will not be proceeding with plans to stage the Music in the Park concerts in July 2027.

We recognise this will be disappointing news to our many supporters and regular attendees. Over recent months, we have carefully reviewed the event’s viability in consultation with Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care, alongside our sponsors and contractors. Unfortunately, rising and increasingly uncertain costs, combined with less predictable income from ticket sales, sponsorship, and advertising, mean we cannot be confident of delivering the event on a financially sound basis. Any potential loss would ultimately fall to the Club’s members, which is not a risk we can responsibly take.

Music in the Park has been a tremendous success over more than 20 years, raising in excess of £500,000 for Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care. This achievement has only been possible thanks to the unwavering support of our local community, sponsors, volunteers, and everyone who has attended and contributed over the years. We are deeply grateful to you all.

We would like to reassure our supporters of the following:

• Music in the Park is not being abandoned. Its feasibility will be reviewed each year, and if economic conditions improve to a point where it can be delivered sustainably, we will look to bring it back to King George V Playing Fields.

• Supporting Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care remains central to our fundraising efforts.

• We will soon begin introducing new and varied events for the Farnborough community and beyond.

• These events are likely to take place more frequently than Music in the Park, offering more regular opportunities for community engagement.

We hope for your understanding as we respond to these challenges and explore new ways to bring people together while continuing to support vital local causes. We would also warmly welcome any ideas or suggestions you may wish to share.

Tony Myers
Team Lead, MIP Management Team
Rotary Club of Farnborough
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: 07771 977059

Last Thursday, club members, partners, and friends enjoyed a guided visit to St Michael’s Abbey in Farnborough. Our tour...
26/05/2026

Last Thursday, club members, partners, and friends enjoyed a guided visit to St Michael’s Abbey in Farnborough. Our tour was led by Brother Aelred, a Benedictine monk, who brought to life the rich history of this remarkable “treasure trove” of faith and heritage.

We learned how the abbey and monastery were founded in the late 1800s by Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III, as a final resting place for her husband. She also invited a community of French monks to establish the monastery, giving it its distinctive origins.

The visit offered a fascinating insight into this peaceful site, tucked away just off the Farnborough Road. Highlights included the abbey church and crypt, where Napoleon III, Empress Eugénie, and their son, the Prince Imperial, are laid to rest. The morning concluded with a visit to the Abbey Shop.

Group visits for clubs and societies can be arranged directly with the Abbey. Public tours take place every Saturday at 3pm. More information is available at https://farnboroughabbey.org/visiting

24/05/2026

News about the Donkey Derby tomorrow:
ANNOUNCEMENT from the Rotary Clubs of Farnborough and Rushmoor.
The FARNBOROUGH DONKEY DERBY 2026 will go ahead on Monday 25th May as planned. However, we are sad to announce that due to the extreme hot weather the donkey races will not take place and the dog show will not go ahead.
This is for animal welfare reasons, as decided by our suppliers, and we hope that you will understand.
All the other planned activities will be in full swing: 60-odd trade and charity stalls, the main arena act – the Extreme Mountain Bike Show, the children’s entertainer and bands performing on the stage.
The fairground will be in attendance offering scary rides and various side shows. There will be several refreshment outlets, including plenty of ice cream to cool you down! Free parking is available on the King George V Playing Field where the event takes place (off Sycamore Road). WE HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL THERE!
The event is still going ahead as planned - the gate price will be reduced to £2 per adult - notices will be posted to that effect at the entrances,

The weather’s grim, there is no sun—Not ideal if you’re after some fun!But hey, hey, hey - the Met Office say:Next Monda...
19/05/2026

The weather’s grim, there is no sun—
Not ideal if you’re after some fun!
But hey, hey, hey - the Met Office say:
Next Monday brings sunshine our way ☀️

So get ready for plenty of FUN
At our Donkey Derby Day - everyone’s welcome, come join in the run!

PS: A small update to our programme sellers’ evening visits around Farnborough:
Tue – The Snowgoose
Wed – Rafborough
Thu – Southwood (East)
Fri – Southwood (West)

13/05/2026

UPDATE ON DONKEY DERBY ENTRY PROGRAMME SALES!
Donkey Derby entry programmes are also now on sale in the café at Farnborough library at the Early Bird price of £1.

𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗗𝗲𝗿𝗯𝘆 – 𝗔𝗹𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲! 🐴🎉Get ready for one of Farnborough’s favourite days out! Join us at King George V Playing Fi...
12/05/2026

𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗗𝗲𝗿𝗯𝘆 – 𝗔𝗹𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲! 🐴🎉
Get ready for one of Farnborough’s favourite days out! Join us at King George V Playing Fields, Sycamore Road, this Spring Bank Holiday – Monday 25th May – for a fun-filled afternoon at the Donkey Derby.

𝗕𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘂𝗲𝘀 – 𝗚𝗼 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲!
Our Early Bird programmes are just £1 for adults (only £2.50 on the gate), and they’ll get you quicker entry on the day too.

Our friendly volunteers are already out and about delivering door-to-door. Here’s where we’ll be next:

Tue 12 May – Salisbury Road area
Wed 13 May – North Camp, Old Town Hall area
Thu 14 May – Rectory Road & Abbey Way area
Fri 15 May – Sycamore Road to Guildford Road East
Mon 18 May – West Heath
Tue 19 May – Ship Lane
Wed 20 May – The Snowgoose, Fernhill Road
Thu 21 May – RAF Borough
Fri 22 May – Southwood

Missed us? No problem!
Come and see us on Saturday 23rd May, 10am–4pm, at the Rotary stall outside Starbucks (top end of Queensmead).
UPDATE: Also now on sale in the café at Farnborough library.

Adults: £1 Early Bird (or £2.50 on the gate)
Children over 5: £1 (advance or on the day)

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗢𝗻?
A fantastic afternoon packed with entertainment, races, and community fun – all the details are inside your programme.
Bring your friends, bring your family, and join us for a brilliant day out. We can’t wait to see you there!

Every so often, a speaker at our weekly lunch truly captures both the hearts and minds of our members—and this week was ...
09/05/2026

Every so often, a speaker at our weekly lunch truly captures both the hearts and minds of our members—and this week was one of those moments.
We were delighted to welcome Rebekah Brown, Fostering Recruitment Officer at Hampshire County Council, who spoke passionately about fostering across the county. Rebekah shared her personal journey, recalling how, at just 12 years old, her family began fostering babies who later went on to be adopted. That early experience not only shaped her career but also led her to become a foster carer herself.
Today, there are more than 1,700 children in care in Hampshire, ranging from babies to teenagers. These include unaccompanied minors, sibling groups, and children with additional needs and disabilities. Rebekah highlighted the vital role foster carers play and the urgent national shortage of around 6,500 carers.
She also guided us through the different types of fostering, who can become a foster carer, and the journey involved. Most moving of all were the words of children who have experienced foster care:
“I feel safe and loved. I don’t see it as being in foster care—I see it as being with family.”
“Being in care has changed me in an amazing way, and there is no one to thank but my amazing carers.”
It was an inspiring and thought-provoking talk, and Rebekah received a well-deserved round of applause from everyone present.

Address

Holiday Inn, Lynchford Road
Farnborough
GU146AZ

Telephone

+443007727011

Website

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