Rotary comes of Age

	Rotary comes of Age
		For 21 years Rotary has contributed to the community life of Ashtead as well as improving the lives of people in the third world.
	In 1981, a group of 30 men formed the Rotary Club in Ashtead, and the organisation has never looked back. They meet regularly on Thursday evenings and arrange a wide range of social activities such as bierfests, magic evenings, quizzes and jazz concerts. The club's first and probably largest project was construction of the Leatherhead Leisure Centre Water Park, which opened in 1983. Later it helped fund the Rec-ground's playground. Members have also arranged for local schools to entertain elderly and infirm people and sent three young people on leadership development courses. Ashtead's senior citizens aren't forgotten, they have had day trips to places like Leeds Castle, Wakehurst Place and Nymans Garden. On a Christmas visit to an old hostelry, the Rotary hosts were rewarded with a rendition of First World War songs by centenarian Smiler Marshall.
	Getting out and about
	Reaching abroad, Rotary has supported Ashtead residents working for Voluntary Service Overseas, such as water engineer Joanne Eagle who went to the Soloman Islands and teachers Susan Buckle and Catherine Gee who went to Thailand and Ghana. Most of this is made possible by the magnificent support Rotary receives each year from the people of Ashtead who enjoy a day of fun and retail therapy at Ashtead Village Day. This occurs despite the belief (untrue of course) that it always rains on Village Day. This year a procession will start from The Street after dedicating the replacement Jubilee clock, and arrive at the Recreation Ground for the 1.00pm opening.
	Off to Paris - full of fun

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