Epsom Rotaract at Nettlecombe Farm, Isle Of Wight New Years Eve 2011

Epsom Rotaractors stayed at the site of the last New Years event, Nettlecombe farm. Once again, the New Year's Eve party had its customary 'fancy dress' theme. Rotaractors attended in the event dressed as anything beginning with the letter 'D' (desperados, desperate Dan, a doctor, Dolly Parton, Dennis the Menace etc).

The Epsom Rotaract Christmas Meal 16/12/2011

Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas! Christmas music could be heard across the airwaves and the room was festively adorned with tinsel and baubles. Yes, it was of course, time for Epsom Rotaract's annual Christmas meal at The Rising Sun in Epsom.

Epsom Rotaract Movember 2011 Music Video!

Movember Celebration 25/11/2011

Wetherspoons in Epsom was the setting for an end of month, or as near as dammit, celebration for those having taken part in Movember 2011 ((http://uk.movember.com)!

Smith and Western Birthday meal 19/11/2011!

 

To celebrate Chris and Ellie's birthdays, we went to the rootin'st tootin'st place in Box Hill. The Smith and Western is a themed restaurant in West Box Hill. Saddle up and enjoy the show partners!

Operation Christmas Child - Shoe Box Filling & Pub Lunch 12/11/2011

Operation Christmas Child is cause spearheaded by Samaritan's Purse (http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/). The basic premise is simple - buy presents for the children and place them in empty shoeboxes. The boxes then get wrapped up and sent to wrapped them in the Rising Sun pubs function room. As a thank you afterwards we then had a lunch at the pub. Well done to everyone who took part!

Operation Christmas Child - Shoe Box Filling & Pub Lunch 12/11/2011

Operation Christmas Child (http://www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk)  the world's largest children's Christmas project, run by the Christian charity Samaritan's Purse. Participants have been sending gift-filled shoeboxes around the world since 1990, bringing joy and the hope into the lives of over 94 million underprivileged children.

Fireworks and Fun Fair at Hook Road arena

Remember, remember the 5th of erm, November! Yes, Rotaractors and friends met up at Hook Road arena for a Firework night spectacular . There were sparklers, aerial shells, roman candles and much, much more which ensured that night went off with a bang!.

The Penny Black Quiz 03/11/2011

This edition of the Penny Black Quiz marked Andy's last club social before moving to Brighton. Our team name was the Mo Bros Feat Rebecca. Rebecca, Chris, John and Andy began the quiz & Rob & Wendy joined later. Even though we came 8th (out of 9 teams) the quiz was still a 'chance.' A chance for Mo Bros to compare taches; a chance for Andy to show off trainers bought with his winnings (he also donated some of it to Comic Relief) & a chance to say goodbye to Andy- a great club member. Good luck in Brighton!

Halloween Bring a Dish Night 29/10/2011

Spooky snacks and devilish delights were the order of the day on this night. Ellie invited us round to her flat for a Halloween tour de force. There was pumpkin soup, Halloween decor,  Helena's scary DVDS (we watched Silence of the Lambs), pumpkin carving, scary jelly, plenty of grub and sparklers! There was even an appearance from Ellie's jittery Guinea pet pigs Ruby and Lily.

Pitsop redecorating Project Day 2 22/10/2011

Here's a quick word from Epsom Rotarian Tony Axelrod on day two of the project at Pitstop attended by Rotaractors (http://pitstop.btck.co.uk/):

Pitsop Decorating Project 08/10/2011 Day one

The Epsom Community Project Group (Epsom Rotaract, Ewell Rotary, Epsom Rotary and other volunteers) moved on to their next project, this time in Leatherhead for Pitstop. Pitstop is A day-time drop-in centre for the homeless, unemployed & socially isolated and further details can be accessed from their web site as below:

http://pitstop.btck.co.uk/

Computer Presentation at The Children's Trust 08/10/2011

The £1326 raised from our race night this year has been put to good use. It went towards Lifelites which provides electrical equipment for children with learning difficulties. Said equipment can then be used for learning and leisure, playing a big part in making the children independent and involved in fun activities.

John, Andy and Chris win big at the Penny Black Quiz!

John, Andy and Chris (aka 'Bernard Cribbin's Disco Posse') won £324 after winning the jackpot question and picking envelope number 9 at the Penny Black Quiz in Leatherhead on 29/09/11! . The question was "How many times a year do the French have sex?" We put 156 and the answer was 137.

Sailing Trip in Southampton 23-25/09/2011

NB: This blog is normally compiled by John Bishop, Membership and Publicity officer for Epsom Rotaract. On this occasion however, new club member Simon (who sailed with Anthony, Rob and Wendy) has provided his own 'captains eye view' of this event (photos by Anthony):

Sailing Trip in Southampton Weekend 1 - 9-11/09/2011

All aboard! Swanick Marina in Southampton was the setting for an epic club social. New club member Simon came up with the idea for this event. His family own a boat in Southampton and he generously offered to let club members use the boat for a pair of sailing weekends!

Outing to Painshill Park 24/07/2011

 

Members and friends of the Epsom Rotaract club embarked on a thoroughly pleasant and relaxing day out at Painshill Park in Cobham. The weather had been kind to the visitors on this day, allowing Anthony to work his usual magic with his camera.

Anthony's Birthday Meal 22/07/2011

Former Epsom Rotaract President Anthony Miles recently celebrated his birthday. A surprise birthday party was arranged at American-style diner Frankie and Benny's in Dorking. Members and friends of the club enjoyed a fun and relaxed evening. It was a fitting tribute to Anthony, who has contributed a lot to Rotaract over the years.

 

 

 

Epsom Rotaract Marshalling for Race For Life Epsom Downs 26/06/2011

Epsom's local women recently came together on the Epsom Downs area to walk, jog or run 5k or 10k in helping to beat cancer. How was at the finishing line to give out medals and water? Volunteers from Epsom Rotary and Rotaract of course!

Anthony's President's Meal 25/06/2011

 

Rotaractors attended the Star Restaurant in Cheam for the annual President's meal. This year's outgoing president was Anthony Miles. This was Anthony's second stint in the hot seat after ably leading the club through another successful year.

 

Epsom Rotaract Camping Weekend 10/06/2011 -12/06/2011

Epsom Rotaractors gathered at a campsite in Bodiam for this year's camping weekend. New club member Ellie attended for the first time. New member Andy and friend of the club Simon also dropped in over the weekend to join in with the activities.

Day out at Lewes 28/05/2011

Members of the Epsom Rotaract club recently went on a day out to the quaint town of Lewes in East Sussex.

The club members enjoyed the peaceful surroundings, ancient buildings, plant life and nature. A great time was had by all. Naturally, this also gave club President Anthony another golden opportunity to experiment with his camera - with the usual sterling results (see below).

 

Epsom Rotary Strictly (But Not Too Strictly) Come Dancing Evening 21/05/2011



Oh my God, Anthony's dancing!

 

 

Epsom Rotary recently staged an entertaining ballroom dancing-themed fundraiser at Riddel Memorial Hall in Tadworth. A brief ballroom lesson opened the evening. Most of the room went into couples and learnt some basic dance steps. In a landmark moment, the normally dance averse club Rotaract president Anthony took to the floor with Ellie!

Eurovision Party at Ellie's House 14/05/2011

Ellie  and flag

New club member Ellie Coady is a Eurovision fan. This was out in the open after she confided with a number of club members. This led to the Eurovision party at her flat. Each person invited took a country out of a hat at a club meeting. They then had to bring food/drink to the party associated with that country.

The Stephen Woods Centre Offical Opening 14/05/2011

 

Members the Epsom Community Project's Group converged at the Stephen Woods Centre once more on Saturday 14th May. Epsom and Ewell Councillors and Mayor Clive Smitheram were on hand as well.

The work on the centre (which house activities for 6-13 year olds) is now complete. It is now completely repainted, redesigned and refurbished. A curtain symbolically placed in front of the words 'Stephen Woods Centre by members of Ewell Rotary. Mayor Smitheram then removed the blanket and declared the centre open.

House warming at Rebecca's 30/04/2011

Club member Rebecca invited fellow Rotaractors to her new home! Rebecca had been meticulously preparing her new purchase for the big day by hiring the best builders and buying the best furniture money can buy! It was a project worthy of property expert Sarah Beeney herself!

The decor was white and beige, which meant no red wine was allowed (and no shoes on the carpet). Rebecca was a fine host and had a wide variety of snacks, desserts and drinks (apart from red wine) set aside for the Rotaractors!

Stephen Woods Centre 'Unofficial' Opening 09/04/2011

Epsom Rotaractors Amy and Anthony recently joined Ewell Rotarian John Davis to unveil a plaque at the Stephen Woods Centre. The plaque commemorates the completion of the project.

 

Epsom Rotaract 'St Patricks Day themed' Race Night

Top of the evening to ya!

Epsom Rotaract returned to the Kingswood Village Club for another charity Race Night. It was held two days after St Patrick's day, so Irish flags and lots of green were on display. Treasurer Mark and friend of the club Richard greeted punters outside the car park, in their own inimitable style. Mark wore a leprechaun outfit. Richard meanwhile, wore a delightful green shirt, Guinness hat and inflatable horse ensemble.

St Patrick's Day Quiz at the Penny Black pub

 

Epsom Rotaractors graced the Penny Black pub in Leatherhead for a special St Patrick's day quiz. Rotaractors used this is event to try out their St Patrick's themed gear prior to the Race Night. Guinness Hats, suitably green attire and even tartan were worn on the night.

Drinks Snacks and Games night at Helena's

Rotaract club member Helena welcomed club members to her humble abode for drinks, snacks and games!
It was a fun and chilled out evening (apart from when Helena's boyfriend was yelling at the rugby on the TV!)

 

Pancake Party at Holly and Charles' 08/03/2011

Epsom Rotaractors celebrated Shrove Tuesday with a 'Pancake Party' at Holly and her fiancée' Charles' flat in Banstead.

 

Skittles Evening in Newdigate, hosted by Ewell Rotary 29/01/2011

The Six Bells pub in Newdigate was the setting for a truly unique social event. A wooden Skittles ally was specifically erected in the back room of the pub for this momentous occasion.

The Stephen Woods Centre Day 2 15/01/2011 10am -4pm

The Epsom Community Projects group kicked off 2011, with more redecorating at the Stephen Woods Centre. Rotarians and friends focused on the kitchen, finishing off the walls. The games room walls were repainted by Rotaractors, along with the ladies' toilets. Gone were the gaudy pink, orange and green colours of the past. They were replaced with a smart white undercoat, which will lead to a smarter overall design in the future.