One of the highlights of the Thornbury Rotary calendar year is the final of the YOUTH SPEAKS competition. This involves primary school students, individually speaking on any subject of their choice. In the earlier rounds, students are encouraged to take part at their schools, followed by successful students competing at their school final, judged by members of staff and Rotarians. The top 2 from each school enter the grand final which was held at Olveston & Tockington Parish Hall on 17th March.
Six schools entered the competition, represented by 12 students, with 75 attendees. The audience was treated to a fascinating variety of topics, presented with passion and enthusiasm. The three judges this year were Joyce Taylor (Joint President, Inner Wheel), Bernard Amos (Senior Vice President, Rotary Club of Thornbury) and best-selling author Amanda Prowse. Choosing the top 3 speakers is always a challenge for the judges, particularly when the standard is so high. However, there was a unanimous verdict on selecting the winner this year, being Aadam Amin from Gillingstool, whose topic was ‘Use of Smart Phones’. His content, presentation style, voice projection and eye contact were outstanding. Runner-up was Rukia Andrews from Stone & Woodford CoE with her topic ‘Polar Bears’ which presented a fascinating insight into the bears’ world. Third position was Sammy Owen-Smith from Manorbrook whose detailed subject was ‘Galapagos Islands’.
Other topics were:
All 12 finalists received a certificate, collar badge and a cash prize. The top three also received a plaque, and the winning school, Gillingstool, was presented with the Ron Nicholas Cup.
This was a very special evening, enjoyed by all those present, with superb refreshments, provided by members of the Inner Wheel of Thornbury. Rotary encourages all primary schools in the area to take part in 2027, with the view that this sort of activity helps children to develop public speaking skills and confidence.
Thornbury Rotary Club was formed in the town in 1971 and has contributed to the life of the town and surrounding district by raising monies on behalf of many local charities and community organisations as well as for national and international projects, charities and disaster appeals.
It is one of the more than 45,000 Clubs world-wide within the Rotary International organisation founded over a century ago dedicated to its 1.2 million members in 200 countries working together using their skills and organisation helping to serve their communities both locally and internationally. In Great Britain and Ireland some 35,000 members in 1500 Clubs. The Club’s Fundraising is registered as a UK Charity, Charity No: 1035557.
Locally the Thornbury Rotary Club has 2 styles of meeting for members. The Thornbury Rotary Network allows for local men and women to meet socially to share ideas and plan projects to support good causes. This is sometimes more convenient for people in busy working roles to take part, making friends and networking.
The long-standing Thornbury Rotary Club is the more traditional meeting style with dinner meetings held twice a month at the Ship Inn, Alveston with a variety of speakers.
Both styles of meeting facilitate discussions on community, environmental, youth and international projects. These meetings lead to members working together organising various events such as the Swimarathon, Duck Races, Quizzes, Walkathons, Christmas Fairs as well as organising and supporting youth events and competitions with local schools such as the Young Musicians and Youth Speaks competitions.
Our aim for both styles of membership is all about helping others while enjoying friendship and fun. As a Club we are committed to equality, fairness and respect
Anybody who is interested in learning about becoming a member of either style of meeting is welcome to contact us via our website at www.thornburyrotary.org.uk or contact our Secretary () and after discussion you may be invited at no cost to come along to a meeting to see what we do. For those who do not feel ready to commit you can always become a Friend of Rotary by agreement to being asked to help at a few individual events.
We believe in supporting young people who live in and around Thornbury We run a number of competitions which showcase their talents. Students can develop their communication, self confidence and leadership skills on the Rotary Youth Leadership Award Scheme where we choose and sponsor two candidates annually to attend the Leadership event held away at a specialist Centre over several days.
Our other youth activities include Young Musician, Young Golfer, Young Chef, Mock Interviews at local schools, Kids Day for Special Needs Children. We have also worked closely with JIGSAW and Krunch.
We work in the local community and with other local organisations in the community to assist their efforts Examples include tree planting, JIGSAW fun days, Thornbury Carnival, the provision of Duck Races, a Human Fruit Machine, Thornbury in Bloom, Thornbury Foodbank, the provision of a defibrillator in Oakleaze Road, financial support to local youth organisations and much more.
In addition, we have supported many local charities via our events such as the Swimarathon, bucket collections and fun days. Every donation we raise for charities goes in full to the charities.
Rotary has worked internationally with partners over the past years to raise funds and help provide vaccinations to poorer regions across the world to be part of the global effort to eradicate polio.
Locally we are now raising the profile of a global campaign to eradicate and prevent malaria which is currently a major threat of death and disease in many regions of the world.
As an educational tool a member of Thornbury Rotary has designed and had constructed a very large model of the female mosquito, which is a dynamic and interactive display of the disease transmission with explanation of the methods for protection and eradication by vaccination of the disease which is being exhibited at local events.
We also participate in the Lend with Care Charity which helps possible entrepreneurs in underdeveloped regions with modest financial loans which assist in development of small sustainable enterprises enabling them to repay their loans and assist the development of businesses within their communities supporting self sufficiency.
We have also undertaken raising financial donations for many disasters which can be turned into practical support and help arrange for resources to be provide local Rotarians volunteering support in their affected communities, notably resulting from tsunamis, hurricanes and earthquakes.
We help promote, and when appropriate participate in local environmental improvement projects recognising this is a growing area for concern. Whilst locally we have helped in some efforts to enhance local environments we aim to work with others when we we can assist. One recent example is the Pickedmoor Rhine Project in Thornbury, and we are collaborating with two other Bristol Rotary Clubs to discuss projects with the Bristol Avon Rivers Trust.
