6th September 2026 Gosdenberry

This year´s event was a great success as we managed to have a clear, dry and warm afternoon when showers were around. We pleased to see many family picnics in the walled garden which were complimented by the Cream Teas included with the ticket price.

The event was opened by our Guildford Mayor Jane Tyson. The whole event was organised by our Rotary Member Michael Ramcharan who also did an excellent job on the drums !

A big thanks to all the members of the Rotary Club of Guildford Wey for erecting the event in the morning, those manning the cream tea marquee, ticket and raffle organisers, the drinks bar set up by Gosden House´s PA and all those who stayed to clear away the event. A long and tiring day but most enjoyable and worthwhile.

We are pleased that overall some £2,500 was raised to be distributed amongst Gosden School , the Mayor’s Charities, the Cheryl King trust and Rotary charities.

#RotaryinGuildford
#Gosdenberry
#GuildfordMayoralty
#GosdenHouseSchool

27th August 2026 – Phyllis Tuckwell presentation

President Chris Shorter and member Andrew Jackson were pleased to represent the Rotary Club of Guildford Wey at the new Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice in Farnham and the Club be recognised as a contributor to the International Global Grant passed to the Hospice by the Rotary project lead, Tony Myers of Farnborough Rotary. Andrew in particular was instrumental it getting this through the grant process. His contribution was applauded by the 11 Clubs represented at the presentation.

Tony Myers presents the cheque for £97,551.50 to Jenny Peat, Director of Income & Engagement on his right and Laura Moody, Income Generation Innovation Manager both of Phyllis Tuckwell

A plaque will be placed in the main foyer to recognise the contribution made by the Rotary Foundation and the Global Grant to the purchase of essential equipment for the In-Patient Unit

Following a lunch and the presentation those present were given a tour of the amazing new development.

The acknowledged contributors to the Grant.

18 August 2026- HATW.ORG.UK

The Rotary Club of Guildford Wey donated £500 to the charity Hands Around The World

Through a personal contact ,Jane Powell, Operations Manager at Hands Around the World, who regularly visits Zambia, we have received the following message : “..We are incredibly grateful for your support and I will send you a report in December of how the money has been spent. We have allocated it to tertiary education in Zambia – we have several students starting courses next weekend in Pharmacy and diplomas in Agriculture. The youngsters are delighted to have this opportunity and also very excited about the prospect of going to University/College and being able to study – something  not available to them without support…”

10th August 2026 A Meeting of Minds

The two premier charities within the Guildford Area who support both the local community and International projects, came together on the evening of the 10th August to listen to each others efforts to support local and International charities.

Following an earlier invitation and visit to a Rotary Guildford Wey meeting by Lion Bob Hackman, The Rotary Club of Guildford Wey enjoyed an invitation to the Guildford Lions Monday meeting on the 10th August.

Rotary President Chris Shorter, president elect Steve Johnson and Rotary Foundation member Andrew Jackson were warmly welcomed by Lions’ president Andrew Henwood who presented Chris with their Lions’ Banner .

We found that the two clubs have so much in common in respect of our aims and objects, that it was resolved that we would look at a closer relationship with regard to our individual projects without losing our individual historic identities. Who knows maybe a joint venture in the future.

6th August 2026- Oakleaf

On the 6th August the Rotary Club of Guildford Wey (RIGW) visited the Oakleaf Centre in Woodbridge Road to update themselves on the work that they do. Oakleaf offer a wide range of services to clients to empower them to gain the skills, support and the confidence needed to manage their mental health and achieve their goals. On site there are IT and practical workshops, together with counselling sessions to enable their clients to be better prepared for job applications.

L-R James Kelly-fundraising manager , Clive Stone – CEO, Guildford Mayor- Councillor Jane Tyson, Andrew Jackson. RIGW, Steve Johnson President Elect RIGW, Chris Shorter President RIGW.

They offer :
Wellbeing Activities & Courses
Designed to build confidence, physical health and wellbeing; reducing isolation and loneliness.

Work-Related Training
Courses in IT and Gardening help our clients gain the skills and qualifications needed to return to the world of work.

Employment Support
Our ‘Path to Success’ Employment Project delivers tailored employment training and mentoring for clients.

Counselling Clients have access to counselling sessions with our BACP-registered service to aid their recovery.

Click Here for PDF of access to services

5th August Spiritual Care

A reflective resource titled ‘My Journal for My Journey’  has been carefully designed to support patients as they approach the end of their life. It will help individuals engage more confidently with doctors and healthcare professionals, while also creating space to reflect on their personal journey and wishes.

The journal includes prompts covering areas such as:

  • Preferences around care and decision-making as health changes
  • Who they would like contacted (or not contacted) after their death
  • Personal choices such as music for their funeral
  • Reflections on priorities, including quality versus quantity of life

The books are provided to patients completely free of charge, ensuring that anyone who may benefit from them can access this support regardless of their circumstances.

Feedback from patients has been overwhelmingly positive. Many have found that it supports meaningful conversations and helps them feel more prepared, more heard, and more at peace. It has even been commented that this resource would be valuable for everyone, regardless of whether they are currently unwell or not.

The ‘Rotary Club of Guildford Wey’ was very pleased to be able to contribute monies, in August 2026, to allow the publishing of the Journals so patients can access this resource freely, and help them to make their wishes known at a crucial stage in their care.

With thanks to the Rev Mark Witherden, Chaplain of the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust for creating this resource. Contact: Spiritual Care :01483 406835 Ext 4044

19th-20th July 2026 Wood Street Fair & Jazz Festival

The Rotary Club of Guildford Wey was pleased to be able to assist in the setting up of stalls and Gazebos for the Wood Street annual fair and their re-adjustment on the 20th July to accommodate the Wood Street Jazz Festival held in aid of Guildford Challengers. Of course we also assisted in the dismantling of the event and are pleased to report that some £17,000 was raised for Challengers. We were pleased to be able to assist in some way to the success of the event. Many thanks to our President Elect, Steve Johnson, for organising & directing our efforts

11 July 2026 Shalford Community Orchard

In 2025 Rotary in Guildford volunteered to help the Shalford Community Orchard project
maintain the 32 fruit trees planted adjacent to the Shalford Church. This year has been particularly challenging with drought conditions so on the 11 July we had a day hand watering the trees to ensure they survive the first 3 years. We will continue at intervals to continue this work with the aim of:

  • Creating an orchard for the community, a place to enjoy and learn
  • To enhance biodiversity
  • To provide a source of free locally grown produce
  • To run blossom and apple days and similar celebratory events

    The Orchard is outside the Cemetery gates, opposite the Infant School and Queen
    Victoria Pub beside the busy A281 road.
    The open site is accessible all day, every day, to everyone. The land is owned and
    managed by Guildford Borough Council (GBC) as part of Shalford Common.

    Planting took place over two sessions in December 2024 and January 2025.
    Tree varieties include apple, pear, cherry, plum, damson, apricot, almond, walnut and
    also a mulberry, the gift of GBC. A schedule of varieties is available on request.
    The aim is to grow some heritage varieties of apple, some local to Surrey, whilst also
    exploring how less common species such as apricots will perform in our changing
    climate.

7th July Mock interviews at Kings College, Guildford

On the 7th July some 13 members of The Rotary Club of Guildford Wey held mock interviews with pupils from year 11 of Kings College. This is done to help pupils with cv writing and the interview process where one can be confronted with sometimes quite obscure questions.

Pictured L-R are Rotarians Trish Walllis,Alan Wallis, Tony Gorham, Maggie Griffith (of Corporate Rotary Members Barchester Healthcare), Mimi Marriot.