We had a very convivial meeting with some members of Taunton Vale Rotary Club at the Luttrell Arms in Dunster on Monday evening. The weather was perfect and the Boules area in the Luttrell Arms Secret Garden is a lovely setting for a sporting contest. There was a great turnout from both clubs!
We have not been very successful in our skittles matches against Taunton Vale so our hopes for a better result with the shiny balls were high. Minehead did well in the first round and a premature  glimmer of excitement developed, only for it to be dashed by Taunton's strong performance in the second round and their victory overall.

Following an interesting talk to Rotary by Craig Goodwin, Butlins Resort Director, two members of the Rotary Club of Minehead were invited to attend the launch of the new Butlins Skypark Play area.  
Rotarians Mollie Foster and John Baker, along with members of the Minehead Town Council, County Council and press were treated to a full tour of the 164 acre site.  The new Skypark is suitable for children of all abilities and provides a safe and secure area for children to learn and play.
Butlins is the Town's major tourist attraction and employer and Craig Goodwin is keen to foster good relationships with local groups and the Town and County Councils.  Redcoats were on hand to show the guests around.
#butlinsminehead #community
 The photo shows Mollie & John talking to two Redcoats

A happy band of Minehead Rotary Club members crewed our Club Gazebo at Dunster Country Fair yesterday.

We spoke to interested passers-by about our Water Survival Box display and membership opportunities and, at the same time, did a little fundraising!

#FellowshipAndFun

The Principal of the West Somerset College, Zoe Stucki, was pleased to meet with Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Minehead before the end of term to discuss how some of the Rotary Youth programmes could be included in next terms syllabus.  
The meeting between Zoe and her Assistant Head Teacher, Joel Cornish and Rotarians, Geoff Dibble and John Baker was very productive.  Students will be encouraged to take part in some of the programmes and Rotary will help the college to develop these.

All very encouraging for the wider development of our young people.
#rotaryyouthcompetitions

An update - three more suitcases dropped off Tuesday 23rd July 🙂👏🏼

Following a recent appeal by Refugee Aid From Taunton #raft, a selection of luggage donated by Club members was dropped off in Taunton this morning.
They were gratefully received and pleased to hear we may be able to rustle up some more!

We are always pleased to help with their valuable work.
#raft

The 1st July saw the change of Club Presidents and a new team appointed.
Under the new leadership of Rotarian Andrew De Mora, the work of the club
still goes on.  None more so than the club's continued support of the West
Somerset Food Cupboard.  At our meetings on the first Monday of each month members donate bags of food to the charity and this Tuesday saw the new Community team deliver these bags to the cupboard to support their work.

Photo shows Alex from the WSFC with newly packed bags awaiting distribution.

The Rotary year runs from 1st July to 30th June and at our meeting on Monday we had our Club Handover to mark new Club officers formally taking up their posts.
John Baker, President for 2023-2024, handed over to the new President Andrew De Mora for 2024-2025. Andrew De Mora welcomed Richard Robbins as Vice President, to be President  for 2025-2026.
New officers are in place in some of the other roles in the Club and the team are looking forward to an exciting year.
#bettertogether2024
Formalities over, let the fun commence! 😁👍🏼😁
#TheMagicOfRotary #RotaryPeopleOfAction