Bandley Hefler Exchange Guests Visit Milford Rotary Club
Posted by Sawyer, Sr., Thomas
on Oct 10, 2012
Guests From Across The Pond. This weeks guest speakers were Meg and Ian Ryves from the Southampton, UK Rotary Club. Meg and Ian spent the past several weeks as visitors to our country as part of Rotary's Bandey Hefler exchange program. Rotarian Jane Schroeder has served as their host for the past several days taking the couple to a number of locations and events in our area.
Meg gave us a brief description of activities in Southhampton where Meg is currently serving her second (and final) year as Rotary club president.There are currently 6 clubs in the Southampton area. Meg and Ian are one of the few husband and wife teams in Southampton. Meg mentioned that their primary fundraiser is an event called "Gardeners Fair" which brings in people from many different counties all over England. The club makes money from the rental of booth spaces and entrance fees. The fair, which caters to landscapers and gardeners, raises approximately 10,000 pounds that is used to fund their operations throughout the year. It has been their signature event for 14 years. Another fundraiser at Christmas time, similar to our Bell Ringing, raises an additional 5,000 pounds and is spent within the community for those in need. Ian discussed their time in our country and the various activities and places they have witnessed. From Lancaster, Athol, Leominster and finally to Milford their time here has been well spent. Ian is a jazz enthusiast and described a most memorable buffet at a local restaurant where they enjoyed jazz music while enjoying the buffet. Jane also took the couple to the award winning Providence Water Fire show. Meg and Ian flew home to England immediately following the meeting.