Ely Rotary Club’s review of the year

EVERY year the Rotary Club of Ely has a series of events that are familiar to many Ely residents but when they are rounded up into one item it is obvious just how much work is done.

The Ely Christmas collection is well-known to many, especially children, who love to come out and meet Father Christmas in the weeks before Christmas.

At this same time of year, Rotary members stand in the High Street, or at the supermarkets in the city, to receive welcome cash, with either Father Christmas or an elf in attendance.

With the street collection this year, more than £5,000 was donated for local charities.

Another big event is Aquafest, always on the first Sunday in July, which draws crowds, some from many miles away. The event entails about 10 months of work by the Aquafest committee. At this event, assistance is given by the Rotary Club of Ely Hereward.

A metal-detecting day was held in September, where a large number of visitors from all over the country descended on a farmer’s fields near Ely, and found all sorts of exciting relics.

Also during this year, members enjoyed a Dickens evening, with members dressing up in costume of the era, and performances and readings followed by a sing-a-long of songs relative to Dicken’s stories.

Kids Out Day was another of Ely Rotary’s regular events, when coaches of youngsters from Highfield School awere taken to Wicksteed Park at Kettering, and treated to a day out on the park’s rides.

This year, an Antiques Roadshow-type of evening is being held on February 8 and previous years of Big Band nights, barbecues in the summer and district quizzes against other Rotary clubs all make for an exciting and interesting varied programme.

Rotary provides much fellowship amongst all the members and spouses and is a worthwhile charity assisting with both local and overseas needs. More information is always available on the website: www.elyrotary.co.uk.