Rotaract is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Since its launch in 1968 by Rotary International, the organisation for young adults has been serving thousands of communities and helped to develop many peoples’ skills and abilities. On the 13th March, 1968, the Rotaract Club of the University of North Carolina was the first Rotaract Club to receive its official charter. Four decades later, there are now more than 8,000 clubs worldwide, and Rotaract continues to go from strength to strength. To mark this achievement, many events are taking place across Great Britain & Ireland.

The highlight will be the Rotaract European Conference, EUCO, to be held in London this May. Around a thousand people from thirty five countries will be gathering in the Capital, uniting many different cultures and traditions. Among the celebrations will be a special gala dinner, taking place at the Novotel London West Hotel in Hammersmith.

As part of World Rotaract Week in early March, clubs across Great Britain & Ireland are planning events to help raise the profile of Rotaract and its milestone.

Saturday nights are so much fun! Rotaract has had a busy month for District Social events. First it was to Bournemouth for their Back to Front meal, then there was Winchester's Music Quiz and then a night in Paris at the Moulin Rouge (Chichester Rotaract's Charter Night in Sussex). We’re chilling out in December, but the’re Alton’s Barn Dance, and Southampton’s Burns night to look forward to in January 2008!

In early September, Rotaract assisted Southampton Clausentum and Itchen Valley Rotary clubs with Model World at Mountbatten School, Romsey. Rotaracters helped exhibitors by getting tea and coffee orders, and packing away after a busy day. Of course we also had the opportunity to look around the amazing exhibits from trains to planes, and from Macanno to dolls houses!

On the membership front Ruth and Tim visited Alresford Rotary this month. Ruth gave a presentation on what Rotaract does within the Rotary family and our plans to expand existing clubs within the district. Rotaract received a positive response and we hope to see members of Alresford attending some of our business meetings.

Winchester Rotaract is one of the strongest Rotaract clubs in the district, and have been asked to be caretakers of Rotaract District 1110. Winchester Rotaract is happy to accept, and this co-insides well with the club’s plans to raise the profile of Rotaract.

Rotaract enjoyed a Skittles evening at the Kings Head, Hursley. The evening began with a delicious meal, followed by Skittles and drinks in the cellar.

The game was interrupted by a rather large spider named ‘Incey Wincey’ by Rotaract’s Ruth, and brought some fear to the game. However, this didn’t stop President Naomi who won with a score of 78, closely followed by Tim with 75 in second place, and Sophia in third place with 73.

In other news Rotaract attended Rotary’s evening meeting on Monday 13 August. Rotaract aims to increase membership in Winchester, and in the District with the help of Rotary. Ruth launched the new interest form for Rotarians to pass onto colleagues, friends, neighbours etc.

Sophia hands over the Chain of Office to Naomi

All Smiles at Prezzo

Group Photo

Walk with Rotary - Wells for India

Rotaract raised £67 in sponsorship for walking 5 miles, and have donated the full amount to Rotary’s selected charity, Wells for India.

Rotaract at the start of 5 miles…

Winchester Ducks along the way

Half Way Check Point at Kings Worthy

Rotary President's Night with a 1920s theme at Winchester College

Winchester Rotaract’s Tim, Ruth, Sophia, Kate and Alasdair enjoyed a sunny Saturday supporting Bournemouth Rotaract with a record breaking event.

The day was an early start with preparations commencing at 10am and all hands on setting up the Kite Stations, and Information Point. Then moving on to finding volunteers to appear on Television! Rotaract assembled 100 kites for the public to appear on BBC News 24 reported by Newsround’s Ellie Crisell from the beach.

At 2:30pm a long queue had formed for registration with Rotaract keeping a close eye on the numbers. At 3:45pm the public collected their kites from the Rotaract manned stations and had a practice. Then at 4:45pm the world record was broken with 927 kites being flown in the air at once!

After a fantastic achievement, and wonderful day all helped to pack up, and of course take a record breaking souvenir kite home!

Winchester Rotaract will be supporting Bournemouth Rotaract together with RIBI in an attempt to break the world record for the most kites flown in the air at one time. The record currently stands at 786 and we are going to be flying at least 1000 kites on Bournemouth beach which means we need you to fly the kites!!

Entertainment on Bournemouth beach will commence at 14:30 and continue until the record attempt at 16:30. You can also participate in this event by registering on the day; simply follow the directions on the day at the pier. Arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Please note that all kites flown in this event will be provided by Rotary in Great Britain & Ireland, please do not bring your own. Upon registration you will receive a World Record Breaker pack which contains your kite to keep, a certificate and badge.

This event is free to enter but all donations received on or before the event will go to Rotaract and Rotary charities. All attendees attend at their own liability.

Rotaract has been dinning out a lot this month. The club enjoyed a Chinese meal at The Charles House to celebrate Vice President Naomi’s birthday. Members chose 3 courses of starters, before the main meal, and then those with room for more had a slice of chocolate Birthday Cake baked by Sophia.

Members also enjoyed a meal with Rotary, and the fanatic performance from Peter Symonds’ music students. The rearrange Christmas meal was also held at the Old Vine, Winchester this month.

In March we look forward to the Rotary International Evening and more about how we can get involved with the Kite Flying at Rotary’s National Conference in Bournemouth, at the next Rotaract District meeting.

A world record for kite flying will be attempted on 14 April 2007 at the annual Rotary National Conference to be held at the Bournemouth International Centre. Winchester Rotaract is keen support Bournemouth Rotaract in handing out kites free to the public along the beach in Bournemouth.

The day will also include activities and entertainment from Kite entertainers performing Kite stunts, Kite surfing, a Kite shop, a Rotary, and Rotaract marquee with information about the organisations for potential members.

Rotaract began the Christmas season by attempting to Ice Skate on 5 December at the Cathedral. Sadly the ice had melted, so all enjoyed shopping at the Cathedral Christmas Market, followed by mulled wine and mince pies at Ruth and Daren Gibb’s house.

Sophia Crick, and new member Sebastian Horwitz attended Rotary’s Christmas meeting with Ali & Sali Baba & the 40 Rotarians. The club were pleased to receive a cheque of £135 from Rotary for helping with Clarendon Way Marathon marshalling, which will be donated to the Rotaract Oversea’s project. Thanks to Rotary for a great evening, with excellent entrainment.

The Christmas season continues in January with Rotaract celebrating a belated Christmas meal on Saturday 13 January in Winchester. In 2007 Rotaract looks forward to Southampton Rotaract’s Burns Night, Kite Flying at Rotary’s National Conference in Bournemouth, and the RGBI National Conference in Watford.

The club enjoyed assisting Roundtable with their Fireworks display at River Park. Members were involved in selling torches, light sticks, necklaces, and bucket shaking. The evening was rounded off with meal at ASK meeting with Southampton Rotaract who also attended the firework event. Again the club met with other clubs in the district – Bournemouth, and Southampton (again) for Ski Bobbing at Christchurch Ski Centre.

In other news Sophia Crick (President), attended the Rotaract District 1110 Conference at the Glendevon Hotel, Bournemouth. The conference included a Rotary update from The Rortay District Govenor - Mike Smith, Caroline Millman speaking about R.Y.L.A., District club updates, and Guest speaker Stuart Wineberg with a presentation on communication, and teamwork.

Winchester Rotaract had great success with their annual Music Quiz held on Saturday 21 October at Itchen Abbas Village Hall. The club raised £300 for their charity of the year the League of Friends of the Winchester Hospitals.

Winchester Rotaract’s Catherine Sangwine, and Sophia Crick volunteered as Facilitators at RYLA held at Avon Tyrrell in the New Forest on 14-16 July, and 21-23 July.

Facilitators were allocated to a team of 8 young people, aged 16-18. On the Friday everyone was allocated a room, and took part in an ice-breaker session, an outdoor activity – either High Ropes, Problem Solving, Night Line, or Canoeing, and finally a debrief with teams discussing their expectations for the weekend.

Saturday was the most action packed day of the weekend. Teams discussed barriers to communication, took part in two outdoor activates, were challenged by a variety of Rotary organised team exercises, and raced against other teams in a summer ski race!

On Sunday all participants were beginning to feel a bit tired, but still had enough energy to compete more team exercises, another outdoor activity, the final ski race, and present some excellent presentations about “What Makes my Team Special” – which included good humour and had everyone laughing!

Comments from the weekend:

Rotaract held a "Back to school" quiz for Rotary.

Over ten rounds, Rotarians had to drag out facts that have long rested in the depths of their minds. But the sight of Naomi in her mortar board, gown and wielding her cane soon helped jog the memories!

Some found it easier than others… Ian White thinks he may have got an answer wrong:

And we are pretty sure that Stuart, Rotaract District president, was trying to cheat (it didn't help him).

The team of specialists that was lead by current Rotary president Julian English eventually won, beating the LCP team by just three points.

Many thanks to Naomi for her excellent organisation and questions, Sophia and Leah for helping out, and to Rotarians Nick and Graham and their helpers for some excellent food.

In other news, the club was very pleased to hear to be the overall winner of the World Rotaract Week Breakfast competition to eat breakfast in the most unusual pleace. The club ate their breakfast at the 15th century Buttercross, in the city centre. Rotaract’s National Chairman Lisa Burnett commented in Rotaract’s Newswire “not only did they enjoy their food they also handed out breakfasts to members of the public at the same time as giving them a leaflet about Rotaract – great PR!”

Sophia Crick, Winchester Rotaract

In recognition of World Rotaract Week (11th - 18th March), and to raise the profile of Rotaract in Winchester, the club undertook the challenge set by Rotaract Great Britain & Ireland (RGBI) to eat Breakfast in the most unusual place

At 9:30am on Saturday 11 March, Rotaract set up stall at the 15th century Buttercross, in the city centre. Each member contributed pain au chocolate, and croissants, and a big thank you to Rotary President, Julian for his generous donation of pastries. Within a few minutes we had the steps of the Buttercross covered with Breakfast!

Members of the public were offered free breakfast, and given a leaflet about Rotaract. The club also had interest from people in the 18-30 age group, and we hope to gain a few new members from the promotional event.

The club will be judged by RGBI on the following Criteria: How many club members participated, the publicity gained (local paper, radio, TV), inclusion of Rotary, Number of new members/enquiries gained, and the venue of the breakfast. We will let you know how we get on!

Sophia Crick, Winchester Rotaract

Winchester Rotary Club held its annual "President's night" in the fabulous location of the Winchester Great Hall.

200 guests filled the ancient hall, all dressed in fine evening wear, to celebrate the presidency of Julian English.

Graham De'ath, Winchester Rotaract

The Winchester Rotaract website has reached the national finals of the Rotaract Website of the year competition. Having entered following harrassment from district chairman Lisa Burnett, Winchester is surprised but delighted to have it made through to the last five.

The final stage of the competition opens up voting to members of Rotaract across the country to choose their favourite site of the year. Unfortunately, in the final results, Winchester did not win. Better luck next year!

Graham De'ath, Winchester Rotaract

Winchester Rotary club hosted the now-traditional games night challenge against the Alton Rotary club, with over 20 people turning out to fight for the cup.

Winchester Rotaract helped organise the event, and provided games and scoring to generally keep all the cheeky Rotarians under control and make sure that everyone played nicely.

Alton eventually won the day, taking the scoring by 42 points to 35. This is the first time that Alton have won the cup in many years!

Graham De'ath, Winchester Rotaract

Winchester Rotary club celebrated 100 years of Rotary International with a dinner and dance at the Winchester Guild Hall.

Here is a brief story of the night in pictures!

Graham De'ath, Winchester Rotaract

Winchester Rotaract challenged the other clubs in district to a skittles match at the Milbury Pub near Beauworth.

A good turn out saw 20 people trying their hand at the traditional pub sport. The main aim of the event was social, rather than fundraising, but over £30 was raised for Hampshire Young Carers, our charity this year.

The winning club has yet to be announced by district president Lisa Burnett, as the calculations involve a complicated weighting system to reflect the distance that clubs had travelled to get to the event! Lisa decided that she couldn't do these sums in her head on the night - but Winchester is confident of victory and shall appealing if the decision doesn't go our way 8-).

Everyone seemed to have a good time. Thank you all for coming!

Graham De'ath, Winchester Rotaract

Winchester Rotaract club joined Southampton Rotaract at a free firework display in Fair Oak.

Despite a few dodgy hot dogs, the fireworks were worth the wait!

Graham De'ath, Winchester Rotaract

Winchester Rotaract managed to muster a team of only three for a most enjoyable quiz organised by the Winchester Rotary Club.

The fabulous James Larcombe (above), current Rotary secretary, set the questions and acted as quizmaster. Food was expertly provided by the Inner Wheel.

In spite of the fact that we only had three people when some teams had eight, we managed a respectable second-from bottom, only one point behind the next team up!

A large amount of cash was raised towards Polio eradication.

Graham De'ath, Winchester Rotaract