Every year the Rotary Club of Bath hold a Carol Service in Bath Abbey attended by 1000 people to which we transport care home esidents and elderly people who are housebound. This year it was not possible due to coronavirus so we have recorded a virtual carol service using new recordings made by BathRadio at St Mary’s Bathwick. This is to broadcast via the internet to care homes and Bath hospital and will be available to any body else who is aware of it. It includes carols sung by the Choir of Bath Abbey. This recording will play sequentially through the two parts in the podcast.
Some of the things we do as a club or individually to maintain our Service before Self philosophy. Checking on the welfare of neighbours and talking online or by phone to those you may think are lonely and isolated. Sending money to charities all of which are desperate for funds. Turning out your wardrobes and donating clothes to those in need. Supporting Julian House with their Circuit of Bath fundraising walk for example or simply taking on a task to help the community at large or individually.
Every year since 2012 the Rotary Club of Bath has run a Festival of Motoring in Bath to entertain the public and to raise much-needed funds for charities. Sadly, due to the Coronavirus, the events for 2020 and 2021 had to be canceled and the decision was made to run a virtual event with the aim of keeping the event alive in the minds of the exhibitors and to raise funds for the charities disappointed by the cancellation of the live event. We have included a children's Road Safety Poster Competition, a silent Auction as well as accepting registered vehicles and paid advertisements. There are films on the site of previous Festivals as well as video interviews of some interesting cars and their owners. We had an aim of raising £2500 for the charities and all the activities are going to result in exceeding that target. A live event is now planned for 18th and 19th June 2022 when we can welcome cars and friends, old and new to this family weekend.
The Archie project uses stories about Archie, a scarecrow who has dementia, to introduce children to dementia and the associated problems for those with it and for those caring for them. It then takes groups of year 10 children into care homes where the interaction between the children and the residents has a lasting and miraculous influence on both parties. The system has been developed by a charity - Reminiscence Learning - which carries out all the training and provides the necessary materials. The meetings between the children and the residents are masterminded by members of the Rotary Club in conjunction with the school and care homes. The considerable cost of this activity is largely met by sponsors with some funds coming from Rotary, the schools, and the care homes.