Seaford Rotary

Bluebell walk

Seaford Rotary was privileged to have the opportunity to provide the refreshments at the Bluebell Walk at Bates Green Farm, Arlington on 21st and 22nd April, and so Seaford Rotarians took their places at the information kiosk, in the café and the gate booth to the annual blue carpet, ready to welcome the visitors.

An estimated 1,000 visitors were warmly welcomed on arrival by our friendly greeters. Visitors could choose from a selection of walks, from a short stroll to a longer walk including neighbouring fields and woodland. Those visitors less able could enjoy the wheelchair route, or the more adventurous could hire mobility scooters.

After the walk, visitors could enjoy the delicious refreshments on offer. Our catering team excelled this year with an amazing display of homemade cakes ranging from vegan, dairy free, gluten free and the more traditional Victoria sandwich, fruit, chocolate, coffee and walnut, carrot and lemon drizzle cakes. The favourite is the coffee and walnut Sponge. Over 40 large cakes were consumed by the visitors, as well as daily freshly baked scones and rock cakes, or for those people wanting a little treat, shortbread and rocky road were available.

This amazing display could not happen without the sterling support of Rotary ladies baking these lovely cakes and savouries, for which we are extremely grateful.

For a more substantial snack our kitchen preparation team produced delicious sandwiches, assorted salads, jacket potatoes, soup of the day and Ploughman’s etc. We were grateful to the wives and volunteers who helped in the kitchen and servery, all under the guiding supervision of Honorary member Pippa Logan, whilst husband Rotarian Mike took charge of the cash register. Keeping the café running smoothly had our table clearers and washer uppers kept busy, with all the tables occupied for much of each day.

The result of the two days was over £3,000 being added to the Rotary Charitable Trust account, which will be put to good use for local charitable causes. After an absence last year due to COVID we were happy to be able to reinstate our Young Writers’ competition, and on Wednesday 27th April the Presentation evening took place at Seaford Head school, attended by students from Seaford, Annecy Roman Catholic and Cradle Hill Primary schools, and for the first time, from Chyngton Primary school.

The theme was The Environment which produced some creative and thoughtful writing from the students. Each school submitted up to four entries in prose or poetry.

The judges commented that the standard of the work produced by the students was very high, and all the individual entrants fully merited the certificates that were presented to them. The names of each finalist were announced by Rotarian Mike Allen before each student was presented with a certificate. He then went on to announce the names of the winners and runners up of the competition before the judges read and commented upon the winning poetry and prose entries.

The overall winner was Edie McCourty from Seaford Primary school, and the Poetry winner was Florence Vincent from Cradle Hill school. The Mayor, Councillor Rodney Reed presented the cash prizes and certificates to the winning students, and Seaford Rotary Club President Mike Ogilvie presented a cheque to Seaford Primary School, that the overall winner attended, to acknowledge their success.

All the students are to be congratulated for taking part in this creative and rewarding competition and we hope that they gain greatly from the experience.

Seaford Rotary welcomes new members and new Friends of Seaford Rotary. For more information contact us on www.seafordrotary.org.uk.

Photos from top: The kitchen team (l-r) Ivy Thompson, Debbie Brown, John Windsor, Wendy Geoghegan and Mike Ogilvie; Mayor Councillor Rodney Reed, Mayoress Ann Reed and President Michael Ogilvie with the finalists