Martello Rotary

For Martello Rotarians, emerging from COvID-19 has offered several opportunities for helping to support local charities through fundraising, and providing hands-on support for local environmental initiatives.

The amazing Tide Mills Project event left a lasting impression on all who attended. A small team of Martello Rotarians, using their experience with Tavern in the Tent, provided a much-welcomed bar service for visitors throughout the project, through the generosity of the Long Man Brewery of Litlington. As a consequence, the bar profits will be going to support three local organisations: WOLO (We only Live Once), Lewes Youth Theatre Company (which through its director, Phil Rose, staged the entire event) and Chailey Heritage Foundation, an educational charity supporting the school for children and young people with complex neurodisabilities.

Martello Rotary supports several local environmental projects. Commuters can enjoy the planters on Seaford Station, (which will be prepared for Christmas with Christmas trees made from recycled pallets). All who love a stroll through Seaford’s local green spaces will soon see the fruits of work done to enhance these, particularly at Princess Drive open space and bridleway, and the Last Wood and Meadow on the way out of Seaford towards High and Over. Longer-term work will see improvements to the open spaces at Normansal and Chalvington Fields, and The Ridings in Lexden Road. Our work with Trees for Seaford has been continuing over the last few months meeting via Zoom, and last week we had the first face-to-face meeting to discuss future operations, membership, training and events. In recent weeks we have helped carry out maintenance work on trees in Saltwood Road, Milberg Road and Chyngton Way. In November we start the season’s new planting programme and are considering Kingston Way and Tudor Close. We are finding that more local residents are taking an interest, and we are encouraging them to monitor trees in their road and to water them during dry periods. There is still time to buy your 2022 Martello Rotary Calendar at the various events in Church Street and The Crouch over Christmas, and the proceeds for that go to support the local Youth Counselling Project, and the Newhaven Branch of the RNLI.

Martello Rotarians joined forces with the Seaford Bonfire Society and Seaford Rotarians, to receive generous contributions from many who lined Seaford’s streets as part of the Seaford Bonfire Night on 23rd October. The buzz from that event was a real demonstration of Seaford’s determination to enjoy themselves together and experience the WOW factor, as they had done before during the Tidemills Project. Just after Christmas, Martello Rotary members are collecting Christmas Trees from Seaford to ensure they are properly recycled. If you haven’t booked the collection of the tree that will help you celebrate the Christmas season, then to do so, please use the link https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265345967629. It is not too late! The small fee for this service raises funds for local charities also.

And if that is not enough, we are already planning our 2022 programme of activities including appearances of the Tavern in the Tent at two Bishopstone events, plus Motor Fest and Armed Services Day and a 2022 half marathon.

Martello Rotarians are keen to welcome any new recruits that can provide the creative ideas and energy to support local charities. If the idea of committing to Martello Rotary does not suit your present availability of time, think about becoming an Associate Member. To find out more email membership@martellorotary. org.uk.

Holly’s Ark

PEt sIttING sERVICE *Hourly Pet Sit from £15 per hr *Drop off/Collection from vets or groomers within your area £15 per pet *Dog Walks £15ph x 1 dog / £20ph x 2 dogs *Overnight Stays £25 for one pet *Full Day Care 8am till 5pm £25 ***Discount for 7+ nights/extra pets*** T: 07591 402051 E: hollysarkpetsittingservice@gmail.com