The new Rotary year for the more than 33,000 clubs in over 200 countries around the world, started on 1st July. A review of a very difficult year and despite the pandemic, the Oswestry Cambrian Rotary members still managed to serve its community to the tune of nearly 950 hours of voluntary work!

The biggest time investment by far was support given by a small team of members at the Vaccination Hub at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital over several months.

Closely followed by the operation of the Christmas Sleigh at their static sites outside supermarkets and around the streets of Oswestry, Whittington, St Martins, Gobowen and West Felton. A difficult decision in the circumstance but as a club they felt it was important to try and give the children some sort of “normality” and to herald in the Christmas period by letting them see Father Christmas.

Other work has included, litter picking, weeding and gardening at the Snowflake Garden at Hope House, at the Orthopaedic Hospital and Whittington Castle. Some garden clearance for a housing association, hedge planting with the Council at the Oswestry Cemetery and so many more minor activities.

Also raising funds through our Brica- Brac stall in Bailey Street where many of you may have had chance to speak to members.

Despite the pandemic, their membership numbers have remained stable, indeed they will soon be adding three new members to their strength and they hope to see a further increase in the months ahead.

Cambrian Rotary have cautiously started face-to-face meetings and are investing in technology to enable the face-to-face meetings to have the addition of Zoom participants. This then means that members on holidays or away at work, speakers or indeed anyone from around the world can join-in the weekly meetings.

Another advantage of the technology investment means that it will enable anyone that may be “house bound”, for whatever reason, to engage with Rotary through their very inclusive club. So, if you would like to come along informally to our meeting, virtually or otherwise, then please contact them.

The Oswestry Cambrian Rotary is ready to welcome men, women, or couples of 18+ from the local community who want to be “people of action”.  They normally meet at The Wynnstay Hotel, Church Street, Oswestry on Thursday evenings at 7.45pm and meet in the bar. For more information on what their new style of Rotary has to offer contact Mike Lade on 01691 570917, info@oswestrycambrianrc.co.uk or see www.oswestrycambrianrc.co.uk.

Pictured: Members at one of their Brica-Brac stalls.