The Rotary Club of the Studios & Elstree & Borehamwood

13/10/2026

🌍 Rotary in Action 🌍

The Rotary Club of the Studios & Elstree and Borehamwood held its regular meeting on Tuesday 13th October 2026, with Club President Sandra Parnell welcoming Rose Gahire from the Rotary Club of Kigali-Virunga in Rwanda.

It was a wonderful opportunity to welcome an overseas Rotary guest and share experiences of the difference Rotary makes in communities both locally and around the world.

The evening’s business focused on the club’s busy programme of forthcoming events, with plenty of plans in the pipeline!

🧹 Keeping Our Community Clean

Members discussed preparations for the next litter-picking event, on Saturday 17th October 2026 continuing the club’s commitment to making Borehamwood and Elstree cleaner, tidier and more attractive places to live.

These regular initiatives bring Rotarians, residents and volunteers together to make a practical difference to the local environment.

🥃 Burns Night, Quiz Night and More!

Plans were also discussed for a joint Burns Night and a Quiz Night, offering opportunities to bring people together for friendship, fun and fundraising in support of worthwhile causes.

🕯️ Remembrance and the Lamp Light of Peace

Preparations are also underway for the Remembrance weekend, alongside the Lamp Light of Peace initiative up until the 11th November.

Our Immediate Past President and local Scottish piper, George Carr, has been at the heart of organising local remembrance activities, working alongside Bruno Peake to help bring people together in a shared act of remembrance and a message of peace.

The Lamp Light of Peace encourages communities to remember those affected by conflict while looking towards a more peaceful future.

The lighting is planned atlround the town every day from the 1st to the 10th November culminating on the 11th November at 10.57am on 11th ahead of the two-minute silence

🤝 Making a Difference Together

It was an informative and enjoyable evening, highlighting the breadth of the club’s community work, charitable activities and international connections.
From caring for our local environment to remembering those who served and strengthening friendships across borders, our members continue to work towards the Rotary objective of “Creating a Lasting Impact” — both locally and globally.

25/09/2026

On Tuesday of this week we were finally able to welcome Revd Stephen Young to our Rotary Club meeting to speak to us about his new role. Father Stephen is the recently appointed team rector for Elstree and Borehamwood and has already set about transforming the service that the 4 churches within the parish provide to the community. His vision was inspiring, but also practical and realistic. His emphasis is on ensuring that churches in our town are open for everyone regardless of faith. Stephen went into detail about some of his plans and of his experience within our town so far. Revd Stephen was previously the incumbant at St Michaels and All Angels, Mill Hill for some 15 years

10/09/2026

This weeks club meeting featured a presentation by a very well known and respected retired GP of Borehamwood, Dr Ann Goddard OBE . Dr Goddard gave members a detailed report on the the activities of the Elstree and Borehamwood Dementia Club from its founding in 2017 right up to the current day. She outlined the main types of dementia and why this is becoming an all too common condition impacting an estimated 1 million sufferers in the UK. The club offers fun, freindship and emotional support to sufferers and their family though a weekly programme of activities. After the presentation the club members started discussing and planning some of our forthcoming events including Litter picking and a quiz supper.

05/09/2026

Members of the club along with fellows from Harrow Rotary Club supported a fund raiser BBQ for The Visually Impaired Club run by Sasha Capocci.

The event which saw Cllr. Parveen Rani The Mayor of Hertsmere Borough Council and Cllr. Tushar Kumar, Mayor of Elstree & Borehamwood Town Council in attendance.

The afternoon event raised £2,400.00 for the club

31/08/2026

Hope you can join us, when the club, working in collaboratiuon with Elstree Mozart Players to present a classical orchestra concert raising funds for 'The Tuesday Elstree & Borehamwood Dementia Club'.

25/08/2026

Rotary Club of the Studios – A Busy Evening of Fellowship, Recognition & Plans for the Future

It was another busy and productive evening for the Rotary Club of the Studios & Elstree and Borehamwood on Tuesday 25 August, as we welcomed our new Assistant District Governor for the North West area, Shir-Li to the club.

The meeting was hosted by our Immediate Past President George Carr as Club President Sandra Parnell is still overseas visiting her family.

The evening provided an opportunity to look back at some of our recent activities, including a memorable visit to the Royal Albert Hall, where members joined fellow Rotarians from across the District for a special event organised by the Rotary Club of Harrow.

It was a wonderful opportunity for fellowship, friendship and enjoying the magnificent surroundings of one of London’s most iconic venues.

There was also plenty of discussion about forthcoming community activities, including plans for the planting of the crocus corms recently ordered by the club.

This will be another small but very visible way in which Rotary can make a positive contribution to our local environment, whilst supporting the Rotary End Polio Campaign.

One of the evening’s biggest surprises came when our visiting Assistant District Governor presented Stephen Rheider with a certificate recognising an incredible 35 years of service to Rotary.

A tremendous achievement and one which the whole club was delighted to celebrate. Congratulations, Stephen! 🎉👏

Members also received a review of the club’s many activities and achievements, together with an outline of events and projects being planned for thr year.

There is certainly plenty happening as the club continues its commitment to Service Above Self.

Looking ahead, the club is delighted to be supporting the Elstree Mozart Players at their annual Autumn Concert on Sunday 27 September at Allum Manor & Hall.

The concert will form part of our support for President Sandra Parnell’s chosen charity for her year in office, The Tuesday Dementia Club of Elstree and Borehamwood.

The Elstree Mozart Players have a long-standing association with Rotary and have previously combined their concerts with fundraising for charitable causes. 🎶❤️

And there is more excitement to come, as during September we will welcome our latest Rotary Scholar to the club.

Members are already looking forward to meeting our new scholar and hearing about their experiences and ambitions.

Another evening demonstrating that there is always something happening at the Rotary Club of the Studios & Elstree and Borehamwood, bringing people together, supporting our community and making a difference. 💙💛

11/08/2026

🌟 A Special Evening for The Rotary Club of the Studios & Elstree and Borehamwood 🌟

Tuesday 11th August was a particularly memorable evening for members of The Rotary Club of the Studios & Elstree and Borehamwood.

With our President, Sandra Parnell, away visiting family following the recent birth of her great-grandchild, Immediate Past President George Carr took the chair for the evening.

We were delighted to welcome Past District Governor Adrian Faiers , his wife Shirley Kirk and our former Assistant District Governor Suresh Bharwaney, plus his wife Angelie Bharwaney who joined us for an evening that included two very special presentations.

🏅 A Paul Harris Fellow for Irmine Mason

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of a Paul Harris Fellow award to Irmine Mason, in recognition of her outstanding commitment and contribution to Rotary and the values of service that lie at the heart of our organisation.

The Paul Harris Fellow is one of Rotary's best-known forms of recognition. Established in 1957, it recognises contributions of US$1,000 or more to The Rotary Foundation, either through a donor's own giving or a gift made in someone's honour. More importantly, the recognition celebrates the difference that Rotary makes through service, fellowship and support for projects that improve lives around the world.

👏 A surprise award for the Club!

There was also a wonderful surprise for everyone present when Adrian presented the Club with a Rotary Club Excellence Award for 2025–26.

The award recognises the work undertaken by the Club during George Carr's year as President and the way in which members have demonstrated Rotary's values through their commitment to service, fellowship and making a positive difference both locally and further afield.

It was a proud moment for all our members and a fitting recognition of the hard work and enthusiasm shown by the Club throughout the year.

🌍 Looking ahead

Adrian and Suresh also shared information about developments and opportunities across our local Rotary area, District 1130, giving members plenty to think about as we continue to develop our activities and strengthen our links with other Rotary clubs.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to look ahead, with forthcoming events and activities discussed and dates beginning to fill the Club's diary for the busy autumn and winter programme.

💙 Making a Lasting Impact

At the heart of everything we do is the Rotary belief that, by working together, ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things.

As part of the worldwide Rotary family, our Club brings together people who want to make a difference — supporting our local community, helping good causes and contributing to projects that have an impact around the world.

From fundraising and community events to music, youth projects and supporting those who need a helping hand, our aim is simple: to make a lasting impact.

And after another successful year, tonight's awards showed just what can be achieved when Rotarians come together with friendship, enthusiasm and a commitment to service. 🌍💙

The Rotary Club of the Studios & Elstree and Borehamwood — making friends, making a difference and making a lasting impact.

28/07/2026

✨ A New Rotary Year... A New Chapter Begins! ✨

The Rotary Club of the Studios & Elstree and Borehamwood has officially kicked off a new Rotary year, with President Sandra Parnell taking the chair at the club's first meeting held on Tuesday 28th July 2026.

Sandra welcomed members and shared her vision for the year ahead as the club discussed an exciting programme of community events, fundraising activities, and projects that will make a real and lasting difference, both here in our local community and across the world through Rotary's international work.

A long-standing and dedicated Rotarian, Sandra is passionate about serving others and strengthening the friendships that make Rotary so special. Her enthusiasm and commitment set the tone for what promises to be a busy and rewarding year.

For many years, the Rotary Club of the Studios & Elstree and Borehamwood has been supporting local charities, schools, young people, community groups, and international humanitarian projects. This year will be no different as members continue to live by Rotary's motto of Service Above Self.

💙 Would you like to make a difference in your community, meet new people, and have fun while helping others? We'd love to welcome you to one of our meetings.

Get in touch to find out more about becoming part of Rotary and helping us create lasting change.

Here's to a fantastic year ahead under Sandra's leadership!

28/07/2026

The latest Rotary Magazine features an article about a fund raising event for local charitable causes which our club participate in recently.

Ten Rotary clubs joined forces for a sponsored walk in Canons Park, London, raising funds for local foodbanks, hospices, ShelterBox and End Polio Now.