Martello Rotary Seaford

Firstly, Happy New Year to everyone. As it has been a fairly quiet month for most of us, we thought a letter from our President might be an idea. So, we tied him to his desk until he came up with his thoughts on the past year and his plans for the future. Hope you enjoy it.

Andy Payne – President Martello Rotary Seaford

Life has a funny way of effecting change in us all. In June I took over Presidency of Martello Rotary from Rodney Read, who then immediately became Mayor of Seaford. He had endured four months of working around this new virus and of having to get to grips with Zoom. I did not consider the long-term future of COVID-19 to go beyond the normal ’flu periods and thus a good summer was to be had. How wrong was I? Christmas has come and gone, and the vaccine is slowly being rolled out. A mutant variant is rampant YET, we can report on successes. All is not lost. COVID-19 has forced the Super-tanker of Martello Rotary to commence it’s turn. New formats for membership are now agreed and you do not have to become a full Rotarian to join our band of Environmental, Fundraising and Social friends. Associate membership will be offered to those helping in voluntary roles in other organisations. Our New Year’s Honours list includes Carol Henderson of SVET, Bryan Turner of St James’ Trust and SVET and Keith Blackman of the Community Partnership, all of whom are made Honorary Members of Martello Rotary. Some of our traditional events are not suitable to operate at present, however, innovation and change have allowed us to successfully organise On-Line Virtual Runs using the systems from Race Nation. This has allowed hundreds of joggers and runners to participate in virtual races, raising money for WOLO, The Youth Counselling Scheme and Newhaven Lifeboat. Our Community Calendar sales were understandably slower, but supreme efforts by Members and Seaford’s shopkeepers mean we have sold out! Our planters, newly installed last year at Seaford Railway Station, have now received their school children’s decorated panels and Christmas trees, plus new plantings to give us a colourful spring. Martello Rotary information is now visible to rail users and passers-by. If passing by you will have seen our banners advertising our service to collect your used real Christmas Trees and recycle them. A big thank you to the Cuckmere Inn, White Lion and Seaford Railway station for assisting us in marketing and J. C. Powney Builders for offering assistance with a truck for collections.

Martello Members actively join in with the Seaford Community Partnership, developing environmental projects within Seaford, and we have specifically accepted responsibility for developing the ‘Friends of’ groups for the identified local green spaces within the town.

Our membership continues to grow. All are welcome, meetings are by Zoom, but we do hope to return to normalised meetings when allowed. Currently we are exploring partnerships with WOLO and Plastic Free Seaford, and maintaining our relationships with our existing corporate and charitable friends. You can find us online and on Facebook. Just type in Martello Rotary. Come and see us on the 25th April, COVID-19 willing, when will see Martello Rotary, Seaford Rotary, Newhaven, Peacehaven and Seaford Lions, Seaford Bonfire Society and Newhaven Coastwatch jointly hosting, under the Mayor of Seaford’s mantle, a day of Support for our Seaford Charities at the Martello Fields. Smaller charities will receive free space to promote and fundraise for their causes in an environment of support and care. Wishing you all a safe, healthy and prosperous New Year. Andy Payne. President 2020

Contact Martello Rotary for further information at: contact@martellorotary.org.uk or use our QR code to visit our website.

Photo: Andy Payne, President Martello Rotary Seaford.