Blackmore Vale Rotary

Directions Website

Blackmore Vale Rotary We are the new Rotary Club covering Wincanton, Somerset and surrounding villages.

29/10/2026

We've come a long way in the fight to end polio, but there's still work to be done ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ’™
Since 1988, polio cases have dropped by more than 99.9% worldwide. That's decades of hard work, commitment and collaboration from Rotary members, global health partners and communities around the world.

And the impact goes far beyond the numbers. It's estimated that 30 million people have avoided paralysis thanks to polio vaccinations, giving millions the chance to live without the life-changing effects of this disease.

But we're not at zero yet.

For decades, Rotary has been at the forefront of the fight to eradicate polio, with members raising funds, advocating for change and building awareness to help protect children from this preventable disease.

And here in Blackmore Vale Rotary in Wincanton and the surrounding villages, Rotary members continue to play their part, organising fundraisers, bringing communities together and supporting the global effort to end polio for good.

Behind this progress are people who have continued to show up, give their time and work towards a future where no child has to suffer from polio.

Because until polio is eradicated everywhere, our work isn't done ๐Ÿ’›

28/10/2026

You donโ€™t need to be a Rotarian to care about Polio. โค๏ธ๐Ÿ’œ

๐Ÿ’š What does Rotary service mean to our community?Itโ€™s not just about raising money. Sometimes the biggest difference com...
27/10/2026

๐Ÿ’š What does Rotary service mean to our community?

Itโ€™s not just about raising money. Sometimes the biggest difference comes from listening, bringing people together and lending a hand.

At Blackmore Vale Rotary, weโ€™re proud to work alongside local organisations, schools, businesses and volunteers across Wincanton and the surrounding villages.

Whether weโ€™re supporting Wincanton Food Bank, collecting unwanted technology through Donate IT, helping young people develop confidence or planting crocuses to brighten our surroundings, every activity has a purpose.

And sometimes itโ€™s the little things that matter most โ€” a conversation, a new friendship or knowing someone is there to help.

๐Ÿ’š For us, community service isnโ€™t about Rotary being seen to do good. Itโ€™s about our community being better because weโ€™re part of it.

๐Ÿ’ฌ What would you love to see more of in our local community?

25/10/2026

๐Ÿ’œ Remember these songs? Then Rotaryโ€™s fight against polio is part of your lifetime.

๐ŸŽต Foreigner โ€“ I Want to Know What Love Is
๐ŸŽต Elaine Paige & Barbara Dickson โ€“ I Know Him So Well
๐ŸŽต Dead or Alive โ€“ You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)

All were UK number ones in 1985 โ€” the year Rotary launched PolioPlus, its worldwide campaign to end polio. These arenโ€™t distant dates in a history book; many of us can still sing along! (shop.officialcharts.comโ ๏ฟผ, rotary.orgโ ๏ฟผ)

Rotaryโ€™s work began earlier, in 1979, with a vaccination campaign alongside the Philippine government. One of the children vaccinated was Allan Evangelista, identified decades later in archival footage. His story reminds us that behind every milestone is a real child, a family and a future worth protecting. (linkedin.comโ ๏ฟผ)

By 1988, polio was still causing an estimated 350,000 cases a year worldwide. The UK was only certified polio-free as part of the European Region in 2002 โ€” well within living memory. (ecdc.europa.euโ ๏ฟผ)

Since those early days, Rotary and its partners have helped protect more than 3 billion children through vaccination. An extraordinary achievement, made possible by people choosing to act. (rotary.orgโ ๏ฟผ)

As we reflect on World Polio Day, thank you to everyone who has walked, cycled, planted, bought a crocus or donated to help.

Weโ€™ve come too far to stop now. Letโ€™s keep going until every child is protected and polio is gone for good. ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ’œ

๐Ÿ’œ A huge thank you to our friends at Bupa UK, who bought 10 pots of crocuses for their staff and residents when we poppe...
25/10/2026

๐Ÿ’œ A huge thank you to our friends at Bupa UK, who bought 10 pots of crocuses for their staff and residents when we popped in to say hello over this blustery weekend!

What a lovely, thoughtful way to bring a little spring colour to others while supporting Blackmore Vale Rotaryโ€™s End Polio Now fundraising. ๐ŸŒฑ

We hope you enjoy planting them and look forward to seeing those beautiful purple crocuses brighten your spring. Thank you for your kindness and support! ๐Ÿ’œ

๐Ÿ’œ A huge THANK YOU, Wincanton! ๐Ÿ’œThank you to everyone who came out and supported Blackmore Vale Rotary by buying crocus ...
25/10/2026

๐Ÿ’œ A huge THANK YOU, Wincanton! ๐Ÿ’œ

Thank you to everyone who came out and supported Blackmore Vale Rotary by buying crocus pots and silk crocus pins in aid of Rotaryโ€™s End Polio Now campaign. Your kindness and generosity mean so much.

Around the world, people have been walking, cycling, planting and fundraising, all working towards one shared goal: a polio-free world. Every contribution helps keep that work moving forward. Weโ€™ve come too far to stop now! ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ’œ

A second, very special thank you goes to Wendy and Tracy at Power of Flowers. You were absolutely amazing, stepping in and welcoming us into your shop when the storm put paid to our gazebo plans! Thank you for giving us a base and such a warm welcome. ๐ŸŒธ

๐ŸŒฑ Our crocus planting has been postponed due to the storm. Weโ€™ll let you know as soon as a new date is arranged.

Together, we can help protect children for generations to come. Thank you for being part of it.

๐ŸŸ โ€œGive someone a fish and you feed them for a day. Teach someone to fish and you feed them for a lifetime.โ€But what if ...
25/10/2026

๐ŸŸ โ€œGive someone a fish and you feed them for a day. Teach someone to fish and you feed them for a lifetime.โ€

But what if they already know how to fish โ€” and simply need the money to buy a net?

Thatโ€™s the idea behind Lendwithcare. People around the world already have skills, ideas and determination. A small loan can help them invest in their own business, earn a living and provide for their family.

๐ŸŒ Small loans. New opportunities. A future people build for themselves.

Come along to Blackmore Vale Rotaryโ€™s next speakers evening to hear Tony Quinn explain how it works.

๐Ÿ“… Monday 26 October
๐Ÿ•– From 7pm
๐Ÿ“ The White Horse, South Cheriton

Everyone is welcome โ€” bring a friend, enjoy some company and discover something inspiring.

๐Ÿฝ๏ธ Please contact us in advance to book a meal, or simply come along to listen.

๐Ÿ“ง [email protected]
๐ŸŒ www.blackmorevalerotary.org.uk

๐Ÿ’œ Community spirit at its best! ๐Ÿ’œLast night, Blackmore Vale Rotary held our End Polio Now talk, but just as we were gett...
24/10/2026

๐Ÿ’œ Community spirit at its best! ๐Ÿ’œ

Last night, Blackmore Vale Rotary held our End Polio Now talk, but just as we were getting ready to start, we discovered that our audio cable had broken! ๐Ÿ˜ฑ

Thankfully, a quick conversation with one of our community neighbours led us to Brett at High Street Records in Wincanton, who kindly stepped in and lent us the cables we needed.

Thanks to Brettโ€™s generosity, our speaker could be heard loud and clear, and the evening could go ahead as planned. ๐ŸŽค๐Ÿ‘

A huge thank you to Brett for helping us out at short notice. Itโ€™s a wonderful reminder that strong communities are built on people looking out for one another.

โค๏ธ Supporting our community, together. Thatโ€™s what Rotary is all about!

๐Ÿ“ High Street Records, Wincanton

๐Ÿ’œ End Polio Now โ€“ An Evening of Insight, Inspiration and Community Spirit ๐Ÿ’œLast night, Blackmore Vale Rotary welcomed me...
24/10/2026

๐Ÿ’œ End Polio Now โ€“ An Evening of Insight, Inspiration and Community Spirit ๐Ÿ’œ

Last night, Blackmore Vale Rotary welcomed members and guests for an informative and thought-provoking evening focused on Rotaryโ€™s mission to End Polio Now.

We were privileged to hear from Dr Mark Townsend and Cate Whitewood, who shared the background to the global fight against polio and insights from their recent trip to Pakistan, where they helped deliver polio vaccinations to children under five.

Their experiences brought home why this work matters so much. Behind every vaccination is a child given a better chance of growing up free from the threat of this devastating disease. ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ’‰

We were also delighted to welcome Councillor Neil Anderson 'Bracey' the new Mayor of Wincanton, and grateful to Kevin, Worshipful Master of the Lodge of Science No. 437, for hosting us and helping make the evening possible.

A huge thank you to our speakers for sharing their knowledge and experiences, to our hosts for their hospitality, and to everyone who joined us to learn more about this vital cause.

Rotary has been working for decades to help eradicate polio. Although tremendous progress has been made, the fight is not over. Every conversation, every donation and every vaccination brings us closer to a polio-free world.

๐Ÿ’œ Together, we can help make polio history.

Address

Wincanton Golf Club
Wincanton

Opening Hours

Monday 7pm - 9:30pm

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Blackmore Vale Rotary posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Nearby non profit organisations