Banstead Rotary Afternoon Tea!

The Rotary Club of Banstead was invited to Banstead Manor Hallmark Carehomes, 8 Brighton Road Banstead SM7 1BS for an event on Tuesday 30 August.

Four staff are Banstead Rotary Corporate Members: Ben, Fiona, Nina and Veronica.

Guest of Honour was the Mayor of Reigate and Banstead, Councillor Frank Kelly who delivered a short speech and spoke to all the Rotarians and residents as he circulated the room.

Guests enjoyed a lavish afternoon tea of a wide selection of sandwiches, savoury tarts, cakes, macarons, and a delicious chocolate cake prepared by the Banstead Manor chef. Banstead Rotary President John Hannam welcomed the guests and thanked Banstead Manor for the generous hospitality. During the event Ben and Nina were presented with their Rotary pins.

Entertainment was an enjoyable overview by Paul, the Mayor’s Assistant who provided a talk about the Mayoral Regalia it’s origins, history and use. He remains a constant staff member in his role as the Mayors change office.

The highlight of the afternoon was our fellow Sutton- Nonsuch Rotarian Peter Stammers who gave a well researched presentation on the History Of The Joke. He had a detailed knowledge of the subject and he proceeded to enlighten the group. Peter spent his working career in education, however through the years he has developed a highly entertaining series of talks.

A special thank you to everyone involved to make the event such a success!

The Rotary Club of Banstead has been a part of the community since 1951, beginning as a networking organisation it now plays an important role in supporting many charities and activities. Typically the Club raises between £ 10,000 and £15,000 each year for charitable purposes.

Just in July the Rotary Club organised the Banstead Village Fair on 2 July at which stalls were taken by 35 local charities and organisations.

Local charities supported by Banstead Rotary in recent years includeHome Start, Dyscover, Age Concern, Banstead Macular Society, National Autistic Society Surrey, Epsom and Ewell Foodbank, Epsom and Ewell Talking Newspaper, Diamond Riding School, QEF, Princess Alice Hospice, Crossroads Care Surrey, Transform Housing and Support, Maggie’s at The Royal Marsden Hospital, Scouts, The Beacon School and The Cystic Fibrosis Trust.