Month: December 2025

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“Service above Self”

Rotary’s motto above is what inspires us to volunteer to help where we can in our local communities. We are fortunate in Guildford to have an amazing organisation called Disability Challengers.

Challengers is a charity that gives disabled children and young people the opportunity to play, have fun, and make friends in a safe and supportive environment.  Our input, in assisting with fund raising events, is just a small part that we can play to allow the service that they give.

We were hugely touched by a message received from the one of the Challenger’s team which we would like to pass on. It sums up why we, ‘Rotary in Guildford’ do what we do.

Click here for the message to Steve, our project lead for Challengers

Find out more here about Disability Challengers.

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Mayor’s Christmas Charity Concert 2025

On the 14th December the Vivace Chorus Choir gave a stunning performance of Christmas Carols conducted by their new music director Barbara Höfling at Holy Trinity Church Guildford. Amazing carols from Demark and Germany were also introduced together with the beautiful ‘CoventryCarol’. The programme was interspersed with appropriate Christmas readings.

The event was organised by the Rotary Club of Guildford Wey with refreshments provided by Guildford Chantries Rotary.

The two Charities to be supported by the event were The Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice and the Cheryl King Trust.

Rotary President Andy Bowen-Ashwin thanked Canon Simon Butler for the use of Holy Trinity Church, the Vivace Chorus for embracing the event and all those involved in setting up the event. He then introduced the Mayor Councillor Howard Smith to say a few words about his chosen Charities.

We will up date this post shortly with the sums made for the chosen Charities once all the costs are determined.

Ready for the Interval
Over 300 people were able to enjoy the stunning performance by the Vivace Chorus

For more pictures Click here

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Santa Fun Run 2025

On Sunday the 7th December the Rotary Club of Guildford Wey assisted the Challengers’ Santa Fun run with marshalling duties. The whole event was sponsored by Kelly’s storage.

It was a chilly damp day but at least the heavy rain stayed away.

Thanks to the efforts of the runners, sponsorship and generous supporters Challengers made some £8,000 for the Charity

Our rotary Team braved the elements and dispersed around the course to direct the runners
Santas ready for the off
Various costumes
Various dogs
An opportunity for pets to dress up as well

Click here for more pictures

Look out for next year’s Fun event likely to be on the 6th December 2026

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The Shed

After 4 weekend mornings the new Gosden House School woodland shed is complete.

With willing helpers 2 Architects and a Structural Engineer what could possibly go wrong !
Weekend 1 ground clearing and the base goes down awaiting gravel fill.

Weekend 2 gravel fill goes down. We turned the instruction sheets this way and that way trying to match the myriad components to that which was actually supplied ! This was equivalent to an ‘Ikea Prototype’ before they had perfected their simple construction process.

Weekend 3 and the roof goes on

On the final weekend of the 30th November the roof covering and doors went on aided by Andy’s bacon buns which may have to become standard fare on future Gosden House Gardening weekends. (Every 4th Saturday of the month  10-12 am )

Bacon buns to energise

Hundreds of screws later we only had a few left over and a couple of pieces of wood !!

Completed Shed !