October saw many members of Retford Rotary Club volunteering their time at various events.
A large contingent of club members and friends were once again called upon to assist at the Osberton Horse and Carriage Driving Trials, where they marshalled public car parking for the three-day event. Happily, the traffic kept flowing smoothly, and the club benefitted from a generous donation towards its activities.
Members were also busy in the run-up to Remembrance Sunday. Two days of the Royal British Legion Poppy sales stall at Morrisons were covered by club members. Preparations were also underway for the Festival of Remembrance, which is organised by the Rotary Club in partnership with the Mayor of Retford.
Club members may have also been spotted on the first Sunday of November at the entrance to Retford Cemetery, where 23 volunteers planted 8,000 purple crocus corms. The purple crocus is a symbol of Rotary’s long-running project, in partnership with the World Health Organisation, to eradicate polio worldwide.
Only two countries – Pakistan and Afghanistan – are still recognised as being affected by polio. When the project began in 1988, there were 125 countries affected. The club hopes that the swathe of purple crocuses planted at the cemetery, as well as those planted in previous years in King’s Park, will serve as a reminder of this worldwide effort by Rotary International and its partners. The club also hopes that the bright springtime display will bring some joy to those who see it.
Finally, there is still time to support Retford Rotary and local charities by taking part in the Retford Rotary Family Santa Fun Run / Walk on the morning of Sunday 8th December! Participants can register in person and collect their Santa suit at the Santa Run stall during the Retford Tree Lighting on Sunday 24th November, or at the Rotary Club’s stand during the annual Street Collection on Saturday 7th December.
Online registration is also available at www.rotaryclubofretford.co.uk by clicking on ‘Future Events’. (For online registrations, suits can be collected on 24th November, 7th December, or on the morning of the event on 8th December.)
Whichever way participants choose to register, the club looks forward to seeing everyone on the day and filling Retford with Santas!