The Harpenden heat of the 2024 to 2025 Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland Young Photographer Competition saw some excellent images from the young people of Harpenden. The theme of the competition was “Wonderful Water”.
The unenviable task of separating winners within the intermediate and senior entrants was kindly performed by Ali Asplin of Harpenden photographic Society.
Eloise Starkey of Roundwood Park School and Aryan Pise of Sir John Lawes School are joint winners of this year’s Bill Hewetson Memorial Prize* and Rotary Young Citizen Award.
The awards recognise a young person’s achievements in the spirit of Rotary’s motto Service above Self and were created by Rotary to counter the negative impact of bad news about young people.
In September 2024 Rotary in Harpenden supplied the town’s Community First Responders (CFRs) with a much-needed emergency lifting chair. The CFRs’ role is to provide crucial emergency medical assistance before the arrival of an ambulance.
‘The Raizer lifting chair, which can be easily assembled by a single CFR, has been used many times with great success to help non-injured patients get off the floor safely and comfortably,’ said Vivienne Ford, team leader of the Harpenden CFR team. ‘It has made a real difference in ensuring a quick and dignified lift for those who need it.’
Harpenden Lions Club chalked up a 12th victory at this year’s Harpenden Quiz of Quizzes, staged by Rotary in Harpenden at St George’s School. The runners-up were Odds and Ends.
As well as giving quizzers a stimulating evening, the event has become noted for its interval hot suppers, produced by the renowned Godfrey’s and served at the quizzers’ tables.
Just a few of the many photos we have received from Rotarians in Lviv, a major city in west Ukraine, where our first Friendship Boxes, filled with educational and recreational items, were delivered in time for Christmas to children most affected by the war.
Before an audience of parents and teachers, teams from Harpenden’s senior schools debated subjects of their own choice in the annual Youth Speaks: The Debate contest. Organised by Rotary in Harpenden, the event was held at Aldwickbury Park Golf Club.
For over 30 years Rotary has been hosting A Concert for Christmas at Harpenden’s Methodist Church, given by the Harpenden and District Primary Schools’ Choir and including a collection in aid of their President’s charity.
A record 53 teams took on the Rotary technology challenge this year in a packed hall at Katherine Warington School. The annual tournament is organised by the two St Albans Rotary Clubs and Rotary in Harpenden.
For the first time, the Foundation level prize (11 to 14-year-olds) was won by Heathlands School for Deaf Children. Another Heathlands team took third prize. The Intermediate level (15 to 16) was won by Beaumont School while the Advanced level, for sixth formers, was won by St Columba’s
The three charities nominated to be the chief beneficiaries of the £34,000 raised by last July’s Classics on the Common show, organised by Rotary in Harpenden, were presented with cheques at a dinner at Aldwickbury Park Golf Club.
The charities were Hope and Homes for Children, Motor Neurone Disease Association of Hertfordshire and Youth Talk.
The emergency medical services available to Harpenden residents have been given a welcome boost with the appointment of three Community First Responders (CFRs). Their role is to provide crucial emergency medical assistance before the arrival of an ambulance.
Rotary in Harpenden have enhanced the CFRs’ kit by supplying them with a much-needed emergency lifting chair.