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Purple4Polio

Since 1986, Rotary International has been leading the fight against Polio,
working with the World Health Organisation and Governments to vaccinate all the world’s children. Today the wild Polio virus exists only in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
When children receive the vaccine, their little finger is marked with a purple dye. To publicise the Polio Eradication programme, Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland plants purple Crocus in public places. The Rotary Club of Guildford Wey, a number of whose members live in Shalford, acquired 4000 Purple Crocus Bulbs and planted them on Saturday 25th October in the grass area opposite Snooty’s Groceries next to the Orchard. Our thanks to Shalford Councillors Dominique Williams & Catherine Houston for obtaining Council permission for the planting and Rotary organiser and Shalford resident Andrew Jackson for organising the project for Rotary. We would also like to thank volunteers who assisted Rotary in the day with special thanks to Douglas Reid of the Shalford, Peasmarsh & Chilworth (SCP) Garden Club.

The Snooty Fox Café supplied the volunteers with sausage rolls & chips which were most welcome.
For picture gallery of volunteers click Here

Rotary Rondel marked out on grass
Councillors Dominique Williams & Catherine Houston with Rotary organiser Andrew Jackson
Rotary Members and volunteers ready for the ‘off’

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Gosden House Bakehouse Opening 17th October 2025

Representatives of Rotary Club of Guildford Wey attended the opening of the new Gosden House School Bakehouse on 17 October 2025.  The new bakehouse provides a professional and modern kitchen and dining area for students to learn baking techniques and the opportunity to gain work experience in local cafes to put their newly gained skills to use.  The students had cooked a variety of delicious bakes for the opening day including cheese straws, brownies and biscuits which were served to attendees along with coffee and tea.  Councillor Howard Smith, Mayor of Guildford declared the bakehouse open and complimented the school on all their hard work to put in place a first-class professional baking learning facility and for the wonderful cakes.  At the same time Michael Ramcharan of Rotary Club of Guildford Wey, presented a cheque for £700 to the headmistress. This was raised at the recent Rotary “Gosdenberry” charity music afternoon and cream tea held in the school’s walled garden on last August bank holiday Monday.  Rotary Wey are also regular visitors to the school helping the grounds team with various garden related projects and tasks each month.

Michael Ramcharan of Rotary Club of Guildford Wey, presented a cheque for £700 to the headteacher Mrs C Kneller
Councillor Howard Smith, Mayor of Guildford declared the bakehouse open

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Fairlands Volunteers Fair 14 October 2025

Rotary Club of Guildford joined local volunteer groups for a Volunteers Fair to raise awareness and gain contacts for future projects and assistance on Wednesday 14th October 2025. It was an interesting and productive afternoon talking to many other organisations, charities and individual visitors. Pictured are members of Rotary Club of Guildford Wey and Liz from MCR Pathways, the mentor voluntary children charity who were also at the fair.  Rotary Wey had recently made a donation to allow MCR to purchase some display and advertising materials for use at events.

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25th August Gosdenberry

Bank Holiday Monday 25th August was an amazing day for a British Bank Holiday. 26°C under sunny skies.
This of course brought its own problem which required shade. Fortunately our members came to the rescue with numerous gazebos and the extensive walled garden of Gosden House School offering its own shady areas for picnics under the trees.

Four hours of a variety of music was thoroughly enjoyed by all those that attended with refreshment by way of Rotary cream teas and a Pimm’s bar run by the School’s Parent Association.

A great deal of thanks goes to the School for allowing us to use the Grounds, the Parents’ Association, all the members of “Rotary Club of Guildford Wey” and Guildford’s Mayor, Howard Smith, for opening the event

Proceeds for the Raffle went to the Mayor’s charity for the year, The Cheryl King Trust,
Pimm’s Bar to the Parents’ Association, and Rotary donated sums to the Schools and their local charities fund.

UkeRhymics kicked off the afternoon with memorable 20s-80s numbers
Ticket scanners
L-R Clive Grant of The Cheryl King Trust, Mayor of Guildford Howard Smith, Event organiser Rotarian Michael Ramcharan
Popular PA Pimm’s Bar
Picnic shade in the walled garden
Men in Sheds got eveyone foot tapping
Cream teas

For more Photographs CLICK HERE

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10 August 2025 ” The Fringe Festival Family Day”

On Sunday the 10th August we were pleased to able to help the Guildford Fringe Festival with marshalling duties in Guildford High St. The Guildford Fringe Co. had given invaluable help to facilitate the Diversity Concert held earlier in the year so we were pleased to be able to assist them on this occasion.

During a 4.5 hour stint up and down Guildford High Street one needs a break !!!

For Video images and full Photo Gallery Click HERE

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5 July 2025

Rotary Club of Guildford Wey were please to help out the Shalford Community Orchard Project with this weeks watering of the 32 trees !

Peter, Andrew, Alan and Trish as well as Andy’s son Ethan who very kindly came in his Dad’s place and of course not forgetting Alan & Trish’s Grandaughter Robyn.

If you wish to support this Community Environmental Project Click Here

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23 June 2025 The Barney & Echo Books

The Rotary Club of Guildford Wey participated in the UK based Amber Bee Project – Amber Bee CIC – which is an organisation dedicated to promoting social justice and making a positive impact in schools, education, and communities across the United Kingdom.  We did this by providing funding to two Primary schools in Guildford; Sandfield and Worplesdon Primary schools. The funding enabled the school to provide the materials and training to school children 9-11 years old. The books “The Barney and Echo” series follow the adventures of Barney Eagle and Echo Squirrel who live in Treetop Forest.
Each book has a story relating to a Personal, Social, Health Education (PSHE) at key stage 2 (9-11 years) PSHE subject area, with activities to reinforce the learning goals. The books, which are designed to be fun and educational, can be used in a classroom setting and at home to support reading and discussion. Following the roll-out this feedback was received from one of the schools:

“I just wanted to share that we’ve successfully completed the first couple of sessions of our Barney and Echo project, and it’s been a fantastic experience so far!

The books are brilliant—so thoughtfully written and really child-friendly in how they introduce and explore mindfulness. The tips and tricks shared are not only relatable but also really practical for the children. As a class, we practised some of the top tips together and had some great discussions about how they made us feel.”

“Thanks again for such a valuable resource“

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28 June 2025

It was hedge cutting today for our monthly visit to Gosden House School Bramley.

After 3 years this laurel hedge has been tamed.

If you would like to join us next month on the 23rd August please contact us. All help is welcomed.

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21 June 2025

We were privileged today to have our Guildford MP Zoe Franklin visit us At the REPAIR CAFE.

She was shown around by our project leader and inspiration, Susi Brown. Zoe took an interest in the work we do spending time talking to the repairers, and the Rotary Club of Guildford Wey Registrars, caterers and helpers.

For more information Click HERE