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We had a good turn out for this month´s gardening at Gosden House School, which was just as well, clearing an area for a rabbit run.

The main challenge was to remove a three quarters of a ton concrete roller which had been buried in the area we had to clear !

After much levering and effort the roller surfaced and was dragged to one side.

Any one got a tractor to haul it away !?

The Mayor of Guildford’s Diversity Show held at Holy Trinity, Guildford, is a triumph

The evening was supported by The Rotary Clubs of Guildford Wey & Chantries and Guildford Inner Wheel.

An audience of nearly 200 people attended The Mayor of Guildford’s celebration of inclusion and diversity on Saturday night (5 April). The Diversity Show, held at Holy Trinity Church in Guildford, highlighted the richness of cultures, talents and voices in our community.

Nineteen exceptional performers and groups, from different cultures, took the audience on a rollercoaster journey of emotions. The performances showed when people from different backgrounds come together in an environment where they feel valued and heard, we create opportunities for everyone to thrive.

The Mayor of Guildford, Cllr Sallie Barker MBE, in her welcome speech paid tribute to last year’s Mayor, Cllr Masuk Miah, who had the original idea for organising the show:

“This event brings to life Guildford Borough Council’s corporate strategy and one of the key priorities within it – for Guildford to become a more inclusive borough. One where we share a vision of a community where everyone belongs and can thrive, and in which we create an environment where every resident feels valued, respected, and heard.

She went on to say:

“I hope this show will be a living testament as to what we can achieve when we celebrate our differences, rather than allow them to divide us, and it will be a powerful reminder of how diversity enriches us all.”

A shadow puppet performance, set to original music and song by young asylum seekers, was particularly moving and received a standing ovation. Surrey Arts and Big Leaf Foundation had spent the day working on the project, called Music Connects. This brings young unaccompanied asylum seekers together with the community.

Surrey Arts, Inclusion Manager, Jim Pinchen, said: “It’s been really joyful to work with the young people today, breaking down barriers through the medium of music and art.”

Kayte, The Programme Manager at Big Leaf Foundation, added: “The courage of these young people in sharing their story so honestly and with such craft, was truly rewarded in the compassion, acknowledgement and warmth that was shown to them on the night.”

Big Leaf Foundation will receive around £4,000 raised by the show.

The evening was supported by The Rotary Clubs of Guildford Wey & Chantries and Guildford Inner Wheel.

Guildford Borough Council is committed to creating an inclusive borough and an environment where everyone has a voice. Sentiments echoed by MC, Nick Wyschna, as he closed the evening, saying: “Let’s continue to champion diversity and make a meaningful impact together!”

More Photos Click here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/xpXxUXDUpMVTdvKv7

Our ‘Schools Got Talent’ event on the 13th March once again proved to be an amazing display of the young talent at our local Schools. The Finale brought all 4 schools together for an amazing rendition of ‘Hey Jude’

The packed theatre certainly loved it. !!

Guildford Borough Council guildford.gov.uk/newsroom Follow us @Guildfordbc 04 March 2025   Rotary in Guildford presents cheques totalling £4,700 to Mayor’s chosen charities   Last Thursday (27 February) representatives of Rotary in Guildford presented the Guildford Veterans Hub and The Matrix Trust with cheques totalling £4,700. The money was raised at the Mayor of Guildford’s Christmas Concert, organised by Rotary in Guildford, and shared with projects chosen by the Mayor of Guildford, Cllr Sallie Barker MBE. The annual concert is a popular and well supported event that has been a significant fundraiser for the Mayor’s charities for many years. The latest concert, performed by Vivace Chorus, raised £3,500 for the Guildford Veterans Hub and an additional £1,200 through a retiring collection for The Matrix Trust.  ‘Making connections for the wellbeing of our communities’ is the mayoral theme for this year. Sallie chose these projects to benefit from the Christmas Concert because of a strong personal connection with their aims and objectives.  Having served nearly 20 years in the Territorial Army, Sallie recognises the tremendous sacrifice and service of the Armed Forces community. The Guildford Veterans Hub, based at Guildford Fire Station, provides invaluable support to both active and former military personnel by offering a safe and welcoming environment where veterans can gather, build friendships, receive advice, and access various services. With eight years of experience as a teacher, Sallie is deeply committed to making a positive impact on the lives of young people, particularly those who are vulnerable and at-risk. The Matrix Trust excels in this area by establishing long-term relationships with young people and providing activities that nurture, inspire, connect, and empower them. The Rotary Clubs of Guildford Wey & Chantries said in a joint statement: “We’d like to extend our sincere thanks to all our supporters and attendees for their generous contributions. We are especially grateful to our event sponsors, AJ Bennewith & Co and the Guildford Butchery.” The Mayor of Guildford, Cllr Sallie Barker MBE said: “Rotary in Guildford has a magnificent history of supporting the Mayor of Guildford’s initiatives. I’m truly grateful for all they do.  “The Vivace Chorus delivered a wonderful performance that brought joy to the audience and will leave a lasting legacy through the money gifted to The Guildford Veterans Hub and The Matrix Trust.” The special presentation took place at Guildford Fire Station. Cheques were presented to The Mayor of Guildford, Cllr Sallie Barker MBE, Pat Sheridan of the Guildford Veterans Hub, and Dan Setterfield of the Matrix Trust by Rotary Wey Club Vice President, Andy Bowen-Ashwin, and Rotary Chantries Club President, Trevor Perrott, on behalf of Rotary in Guildford.  Also present were members of the Guildford Veterans Hub, Dennis Booth, Veterans Hub Chairman, the Rotary Concert team, Chris Shorter, Chris Hodgson, Andrew Jackson, (Rotary Guildford Wey) and the Chairman of the Vivace Chorus, Richard Dacey. The next Mayor’s Christmas Concert is scheduled for 7pm on Sunday 14 December at Holy Trinity Church. Please mark your calendars and stay tuned for more information later this year.   Notes to Editor Rotary in Guildford contact:  Rotary Wey Club Vice President, Andy Bowen-Ashwin Photos supplied:  *Rotary in Guildford presentation at Guildford Fire Station *The Mayor of Guildford, Cllr Sallie Barker MBE, and Andrew Jackson of Rotary Club of Guildford Wey, charity fund treasurer, holding a cheque for £3,500 raised from the Rotary in Guildford Vivace Christmas concert 2024   *The Mayor of Guildford, Cllr Sallie Barker MBE with Dan Setterfield of the Matrix Trust  ​ Press contact: Beverley Stonehouse – e-mail Beverley.Stonehouse@guildford.gov.uk

Once a month Rotary members give 2 hours of their Saturday morning time to assist Gosden House School in clearing and recovering some of their lost 45 acres to enable the use of the land to the benefit of the pupils.
This Saturday we cleared an area of mountains of garden waste so that it could be re-purposed for a new chicken run. This will add to the area that presently houses pigs, goats and bees to provide additional outdoor experiences for the pupils and one of many possible career paths.

On Sunday the 15th Rotary in Guildford, together with the amazing Vivace Chorus presented the annual Mayor’s Christmas Concert at Holy Trinity Church in Guildford.

The event was again a sell out so apologies to those who were unable to obtain tickets.
Hopefully you can book early for next year’s Concert. (Usually on line in October)

Vivace Chorus gave a stunning performance of Christmas carols with audience participation on the more well known and popular carols all conducted by Jeremy Backhouse.

The Mayor’s theme for the year is ‘Making Connections for the Wellbeing of our Communities’. The Mayor’s wish is to work with as many small, local charities as possible and for the Christmas Concert selected two excellent local charities, the Guildford’s Veterans Hub to support serving and ex service personnel and Matrix making a difference to young people’s lives, especially those who are vulnerable and at-risk. [Details of monies raised will be published once all accounts are settled]

Guildford is twinned with the German town of  Freiburg im Breisgau

On the 1st September the representatives of Rotary Club of Freiburg visited Guildford together with the Freiburg Boys’ Choir that sang in Holy Trinity on Sunday the 1st September. This was followed by a reception in the Guildhall hosted by our Mayor Sallie Barker

Following the very successful Gosdenberry event our Rotarians returned for their monthly stint of gardening, repairing the old cider house, hedge trimming and welcoming the latest animals, goats, to the children’s small farm holding; joining the pigs, guinea pigs, chickens and bees

On the 26th August we held our first event at Gosden House School in their amazing walled garden.

Many thanks to our Guildford Mayor Sallie Barker for opening the event and the groups Uke Rythmics and Men in Sheds for amazing performances

The weather was warm and sunny which helped it becoming a successful event making over £1,000 for charity distribution. Definitely an event to look out for next year following so many positive comments saying how much people enjoyed it.