Welcome from the Club President, Dan Mackdermott
Hello, thank you for taking the time and interest to learn a little bit more about us. We, that is the members or Rotarians, of Mapperley and Arnold Rotary, all live locally and have a wide variety of career backgrounds, skills and experience of life in general which we try our best to utilise to make a difference in people’s lives, whilst having a good deal of fun along the way!
For over 38 years we have proudly been part of Rotary International - the largest service organisation in the world, which currently comprises 1.4 million members in 46,000 clubs across the globe. We’re keen to have closer links with our local neighbourhoods in Arnold, Redhill, Bestwood Park, Woodthorpe, Mapperley Plains, Calverton and Woodborough.
We meet every Wednesday evening, we would love to see you as a guest, potential member or from another Rotary Club.
President Dan 🤓
Rotary Year Theme
Each Rotary year, Rotarians all over the world offer their services to a common theme. This Rotary year's (2024-2025) theme is to be a "The Magic of Rotary".
"The Magic of Rotary" is a theme that emphasises the transformative power of Rotary International's work in communities around the world. The message behind this theme likely centres on the idea that through Rotary's service, dedication, and collaboration, incredible things can be achieved to make the world a better place.
Here's a message inspired by the theme "The Magic of Rotary":
"In every corner of the globe, Rotary brings the magic of hope, compassion, and change. Like magicians of goodwill, Rotarians weave together threads of service, turning dreams into reality and challenges into triumphs. With each project, each act of kindness, we unleash the power of Rotary to create lasting impact and transform lives. Together, let's continue to spread the magic of Rotary, illuminating darkness with light, and making our world shine brighter for generations to come."
This message highlights the transformative nature of Rotary's work and the dedication of its members to create positive change in the world. It emphasises the idea that by working together, Rotarians can perform "magic" in their communities, bringing hope and joy to those in need.
Focus Areas
We welcome opportunities where we can make a difference, whether by hands-on involvement or perhaps some financial help to give others a start-up with something - be it of a charitable nature or a ‘good cause’.
We try and help schools or community groups in assisting with something to build upon in one’s development/self-esteem/mental health that can benefit individuals’ lives perhaps in education, sporting, employment or citizenship sense; sometimes it may be just helping them to be the best they can be in wherever life takes them.
As an example, we have for many years been offering school students residential trips to the Outward Bound Centre in Aberdovey, Wales and we chat with and entertain our senior citizens in the local Memory Cafés; we also support the Mayor of Gedling’s nominated charity each year.
We are involved in international projects supporting our charity, The Rotary Foundation in the furtherance of its 7 areas of focus. We are pleased to say that our focus on ‘supporting the environment has just been added- a very
We focus ‘at home’, which is where we receive donations from local residents or businesses, normally, but not exclusively, at Christmas time. Our social media and publicity campaign for ‘Santa’s Tours-not knocking on doors!’ with our Christmas sleigh, gained us many friends who lined the streets with young and old happy, smiling faces waving to Santa; we receive many wonderful comments on how everyone appreciated what we were doing. We were delighted to raise over £12,000 which must now be spent wisely.
We are always keen to welcome new members...
We are always keen to welcome new members to Rotary, but fully appreciate that formal membership of a club may not be right for some people at this time. The style of Rotary has changed a little since Captain Sir Tom Moore became a Rotarian, but not as much as it needs to, which the current generation of club members, many of who are now retired, are the first to admit.
One of the few benefits of the pandemic has been a sense of coming together locally in ‘looking out’ for others and perhaps an acknowledgement that we now see a wide range of key workers’ from a different perspective.
We believe Rotary now stands on the cusp of reinventing itself, changing its outlook and presenting an opportunity to a generation who had previously not seen Rotary as an organisation they would want to join.
We remain hopeful that Rotary will remain in the Gedling Borough for many years to come around Mapperley, Arnold, Woodthorpe and surrounding areas. We particularly welcome interest from those would-be pioneers of a new style of Rotary, perhaps people in their 20’s, 30’s or 40’s who would prefer the freedom to enjoy Rotary, work and socialise with like-minded people but without the traditional elements of weekly meals and formalities. A taster as a ‘friend’ may lead to a new alternative style of Rotary in the neighbourhood!
Notable members have included Winston Churchill, Neil Armstrong, King Charles, Walt Disney, Thomas Edison, Pope Francis, John F Kennedy, Franklin D Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Cecil B. De Mille, Luciano Pavarotti, Sir Edmund Hillary, ‘Colonel’ Harland Sanders, Prince Philip, Bill Gates and Orville Wright.
If you think you could offer us some of your time and support and indeed, expertise if applicable, please get in contact!
Friends of MARC
A ‘friend’ of Mapperley and Arnold Rotary Club is an adult who is not a member of the club but is interested in what we do; following us on social media or is one who could be willing to assist us, along with others, in several ways towards a particular project.
On our behalf, ‘friends’ are also alert to opportunities or needs which could benefit deserving individuals, good causes across or within a specific part of the locality or institutions such as schools, care homes, other community or charitable groups or businesses with the potential for mutual support.
The motto of our organisation is 'Service above Self'. This helps us to enable our community to thrive and look after each other, particularly helping those in need of making our neighbourhood a better place to live. Please have a look around our website and if think you might like to give us a try as a ‘friend’ please click here or email us at MandArotary@gmail.com.
Supporting local schools in literacy projects
Mapperley and Arnold Rotary Club are supporting local schools in literacy projects. Here President Chris Lyons is at Arnbrook Primary school where we have presented dictionaries to year 5 and 6 pupils. They keep these in school and are used every day in class. When they leave in year 6, they are taken with them.
It was great to see our work in action and realise that we do make a difference. Teacher Christine Davies led a challenge between children and adults to find words in the dictionaries. Children won 2-1. Not only could they find the words, they could explain what it meant and give examples of how it was used.
Amazing £881 for Alzheimer's Society by Rotarians
In March, nine intrepid Rotarians each walked 10 km around the hills and fields surrounding Calverton. It was a perfect day for walking; so much so that two of our walkers decided (unintentionally) to walk approximately 15 km!. CO-VID safety guidelines were followed by all. Thanks go to Glenn Turner for providing a refreshments station with social distancing. Appreciation also to Jill Gratton and Terri Beale for providing walker support. They raised an amazing £881. This was due to the generosity of our community and fellow Rotarians. All of this went to the Alzheimer's Society.
Well done to the following walkers: Chris Lyons, Richard Shacklock, Richard Pannell, Peter Radford, Tony Storey, Dan Mackdermott, Neil Stevenson, David Gratton and Terry Beale. We are always looking for new members, so if activities like this appeal to you and you would like to join us, please get in touch by click here
Christmas Charity appeal updates
Just an update to you all following the tremendous Christmas Charity appeal in which we raised over £13,000 to go towards deserving and good causes.
So what have we been doing with this money? We have most recently been working with local schools to help with raising literacy skills. Arnbrook Primary school pupils have been given dictionaries funded by us which have been used in class. Also further funding was used for buying specific books. We also are working now with Robert Mellors school helping with online learning for the children. We hope to work with more schools in the area.
Money has been donated to Emmanuel House (homeless charity) and our ongoing project looking after the gardens at Hayward House. We have been involved in many projects over the years both local and some international and we will keep you up to date with what we are doing with your money.
Hayward House Project
Locally, we have continued to work with Hayward House, Nottingham City Hospital in developing their gardens. Our aim is to create a beautiful area for patients and families sit and find peace and tranquillity in their difficult and challenging times. The project is sponsored by Mapperley and Arnold Rotary Club, superbly led by Richard and Jan Shacklock who are experts at transforming the grounds to a peaceful garden. If you are interested in getting involved in this project, please contact us.
Current and ongoing projects
Eco Greenhouse project
Five Rotarians from Mapperley & Arnold Rotary Club completed the Eco Greenhouse project at St. Wilfrid’s Primary School. The project was a joint enterprise with the teachers, pupils and parents.
Outward Bound
April 2024 saw the 25th year club has supported the Outward Bound project, in total sending over 300 UK students and 200 Dutch students on the week long residential course, Aberdovey Wales.
Gedling Memory Café
The Gedling Memory Café has been running since 2012 and is run by Mapperley and Arnold Rotary Club. Many Rotarians help as registered volunteers, welcoming clients and their carers, making drinks, listening to groups, helping with games and activities. For more information please click here.