Seaford Rotary

from Seaford Scene November 2020 Issue

Seaford U3A News

SeAFoRd RoTARy Santa’s Visit to Seaford ‘These Abnormal Times’

Santa has thought carefully about the risks associated with the Covid -19 pandemic and whether he should visit the streets of Seaford this december and if so, how.

Due to current restrictions it will be necessary for families to queue to see Santa rather than crowding around the sleigh. We ask parents to comply with Government Regulations and to ensure that they take social distancing into consideration when their children are queueing to see Santa. Unfortunately, children will not be allowed to climb onto the sleigh this year. Keep watching the Seaford Rotary website and social media for news of Santa’s visit to Seaford.

Geoff Lowles – 50 years membership – a celebration

on 11th September, Geoff Lowles, Paul Harris Fellow, celebrated 50 years’ membership of Seaford Rotary Club.

Geoff was joined at this socially-distanced celebration by Past Presidents Tony Lees, Tony Osborne, Keith Carlisle and John Preddy, who, with Geoff, have given 237 years of valuable service to Rotary and the Seaford community and President Martin McGill. The surprise to all, apart from the President, 15 minutes

Santa has concluded that provided there are no further restrictions imposed by the Government and that Lewes District Council gives permission for Seaford Rotary to carry out door-to-door collections, he will be able to meet children in Seaford on December evenings as he has done in past years. Should there be any changes to the plans for Santa to visit the streets of Seaford, this will be announced on the Seaford Rotary website, Facebook out for the Club, noting that he was President in 1982–

and Seahaven FM.

The dates and details of routes that Santa plans to take will be published on the Seaford Rotary website (https://www.rotary-ribi.org/clubs/page. php?PgID=787979&ClubID=1469), in the December Seaford Scene, on Facebook and in Haven News. Seaford Rotary will be using a tracker app which will enable the public to ascertain the location of Santa and his progress towards them. Details of the app will be published in the second half of November. Although it will be possible to make cash donations as Santa passes their homes, Seaford Rotary recognises however that some members of the public may not wish to donations but nevertheless still wish to donate. Details of how a donation may be made using the ‘Just Giving’ App will be provided at the end of November. after the start the celebration was the arrival of Mayor Rodney Reed accompanied by the Mayoress Ann Reed to express thanks to Geoff for his 50 years’ service to the Seaford Community. President Martin McGill thanked Geoff for all his hard work and gave a brief resumé of Geoff’s life as a member of Seaford Rotary Club since he joined.

Martin outlined some of the roles that Geoff has carried have social distanced contact with those collecting the

83 and has been Club Secretary twice as well as Trust Treasurer since 2003. Tony Lees, who has known Geoff for in excess of 50 years, reminded the attendees that ‘Young Geoff’ was the youngest to be inducted into the Club, and that he remains the youngest to this day, and probably will always remain so. The ‘Young’ is how many Club members refer to him, and it is a term of affection, sincerely meant. He also spoke about Geoff’s great value in community issues and organisations including serving as Trustee on the management committee of Mercread Youth Club and more recently the Chair of the Fitzgerald Trust.

As well as thanking Geoff for his 50 years’ service, Councillor Rodney Reed as Mayor of Seaford was also pleased to pass on the greetings of Martello Rotary

Invite you to join us on

Club commending Geoff for his 50 years of Rotary membership in one club.

President Martin McGill then presented Geoff with a framed certificate honouring his 50 years Rotary membership. Past President John Owen had arranged for a celebratory cake to be supplied, and there only remained one more thing to do, and that was to cut the cake – and eat it!

Twilight Fancy Dress Walk

Seaford Rotary appreciates that 2020 has been an exceedingly difficult year for local fundraising, but undaunted, members have risen to the challenge. Planning is now underway for an event which, by working together, will give fundraising opportunities for all local groups and charities.

The ‘Twilight Fancy Dress Walk’ is special sponsored event in 2021 which will help participating groups raise much-needed funds, and raise their community profiles by having some much-needed fun.

By registering now for this early Spring event, local groups and charities will be able to get organised and start sponsored fundraising immediately, and into the New Year. All entry fees will be donated to the Mayor of Seaford’s Charities. For more details and registration forms contact Jean Cash. Telephone: 01323 890373 or Email: jeannecash@gmail.com

Photos: Santa’s sleigh; (l-r) Tony Osborne, President Martin McGill, Geoff Lowles, John Preddy, Tony Lees and Keith Carlisle; Geoff Lowles’s 50 years celebration cake.