Past Speakers
Past Speakers
Embedded Files
TIFFIELD ACADEMY - At our meeting on Thursday 16th April, Emma Butler, Principal of Tiffield Academy gave the Rotary Club members a brilliant talk on the opening of the new Special Needs school in Tiffield, one of the largest purpose built special needs school in the country.
Emma spoke about the opening of the school last September when the intake was over 50 children for the first term, with all the challenges that such a number brings, all with special needs.
The school will eventually cater for children from reception age up to 18 year olds, providing education opportunities for over 250 children and young adults.
Emma emphised that the education needs for each child are special and individual to each one.
The children's education evolves around a dedicated curriculum that allows the child to express themself, rather than being categorised as occurs in many main stream schools.
The Rotary Club of Towcester is a keen supporter of the youth of Towcester and District and the Tiffield Academy fits neatly in to this.
If you would like to know more about Rotary and Rotary in Towcester, then why not visit one of our meetings, without any obligation. We meet on a Thursday evening usually at the Saracens Head Hotel. Contact us by sending an email to secretary@towcester-rotary.org.uk
On the 26th March 2026b - PARDON!....SPEAK UP!...WHAT DID HE SAY!...All the old jokes came out at the latest meeting of the Rotary Club of Towcester, as an audiology specialist from Specsavers-Towcester gave a very interesting and informative presentation on hearing loss and how it affects us all in our daily lives. Recognising and taking steps to correct our hearing can have a very positive effect on our lives. Not all hearing problems lead to a hearing aid. There are many different forms of hearing loss and treatment to correct it.
The first step is having your hearing checked.
At the meeting a Specsavers audiologist undertook ear examinations on a number of Rotarians to determine the health of their ears, a free service offered by Specsavers.
Specsavers -Towcester is a Rotary Corporate member of the Rotary Club of Towcester.
This is another example of what we do in Rotary. It's not all about fundraising, but we also watch our health and what steps are available to protect it.
If you are interested in what Rotary means and in particular, what the Rotary Club of Towcester is involved with, then why not come to one of our meetings, without any obligation. We meet on Thursday evenings, usually at the Saracens Head Hotel at 6.30pm. For further information send an email to secretary@towcester-rotary.org.uk
on the 19th March STEVE CHALLEN – told us of the amazing job he’s doing. Since its inception in 2022 he has been the prime organiser in sending out over 50 tonnes of humanitarian goods and medical equipment in addition to being responsible for the supply and delivery of 7 ex-NHS ambulances to provide some relief to those who are suffering the war in the Ukraine.
Steve who is an Honorary Rotarian, was the Club’s speaker at a recent meeting in which he gave an update on his Ukrainian Relief Aid Programme. He thanked the club for their support over the years not only financially but in manpower. The Club has provided loaders for a number of ambulances/lorries Steve has organised, the latest being on Tuesday,17th March when the Club assisted in packing over 280 boxes / items with total weight over 2 tonnes on to a Driving Aid To Ukraine lorry, a charity based in North London. These items will be delivered to Kyiv within the next 2 weeks and be distributed to those most in need and affected by the war.
Steve told members that the aid that was being sent out is being gratefully received by not only the fighting units, but also the general population, who’s lives have been ruined by this war. Just before Christmas he had a van load of toys ready to go out for distribution to Ukrainian children. The delivery was delayed, thankfully, because if it hadn’t it would have been destroyed in an attack on the Ukrainian charities warehouse by a Russian missile.
Steve is continuing to fund raise, collect donations and purchase ambulances through what has developed into a wide network of companies and other organisations keen to support this war-torn country.
In addition, on Easter Sunday the Tove team will be driving ambulance no8 to the Ukraine full of medical items thanks to generous donation from RC Diocese of Northampton. The ambulance and contents will be donated to frontline paramedics in Sumy. He confirmed that he has a huge load already, but please, he asked anyone in the Club to get in touch if they have any end of care medical items, wheelchairs, or walking sticks.
The Club thanked Steve for his efforts and pledged their continued support.
'LIFE DOWN UNDER' Not al all what you would expect.
On Thursday 5th February 2026. The Rotary Club of Towcester were entertained by Shawn and Melanie, the founders of Country Funerals Towcester. on Sponne Arcade They gave an insight into what it is like being a funeral director and client's varying attitudes to the services provided covering basic funerals, green funerals to the more flamboyant 'gypsy' funerals. Their presentation generated a number of interesting questions from members.
This is just an example of the differing subjects that we, at Towcester Rotary explore, in addition to the the work we do in the community. If you would like to find out more about what the Club does in Towcester and District and the support given to Rotary's International projects, please visit the Club's web site at www.towcester-rotary.org.uk or alternatively come along to one of our meetings without any obligation. We meet on a Thursday evening usually at the Saracens Head Hotel, Towcester. For further information send an email to secretary@towcester-rotary.org.uk
Our speaker on 22nd January 2026 was Neal King of the Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service who came to talk to us about fire safety in the home and how to prevent them accidents.
Working closely with the emergency services on the frontline or in a supporting role, they are invested in delivering change for a safer Northamptonshire for all.
Some of NFRS community engagement work includes:
Home safety visits – fire service staff visit people in their homes and provide advice on staying safe and well often working with other organisations to ensure we reach the most vulnerable and are able to provide a comprehensive service which includes health information alongside safety education.
StayWise – StayWise brings together the educational resources of the emergency services and key safety-focused organisations. So, we are an educator looking to enhance our teaching and learning or a member of a blue light, or safety-focused, organisation looking for prevention content, StayWise has the resources. These resources can be accessed for free by registering at https://staywise.co.uk/redirect/fire-northamptonshire
He went through several scenarios with examples of how easily a fire in the home can start with particular emphasis on electrical fires. One important one was the charging of mobile phones. He asked how many of us charged our phones overnight. This is considered to be dangerous and suggested that charging should be carried out in the evening due to the fact that a phone heats up and can at some point self-ignite.
Neal gave and extremely interesting and informative talk which was welcomed by members of the Club.
Our Speaker on Thursday 23rd October 2025
Seamus Grant is Rotary Foundation’s roaming ambassador, covering the Rotary GB&I area, he visits clubs giving presentation on the work the Foundation undertakes.n progress
Towcester Rotary was treated to a Presentaion of what "The Rotary Foundation" (Our Only Charity) does and all the ways it distributes need around the World.
Please press the Link below for for the full ariticle.
Meeting 2nd October
IN OUT .. IN OUT - No shake it all about, but close. The Rotary Club of Towcester was treated to an evening of gentle exercise with a demonstration by Janine from the Towcester Leisure Centre. She underlined the need to maintain a regime of stretching and balancing, particularly during the winter period. All members participated and enjoyed a chance to stretch out.
This is another face of Rotary in Towcester, a face of fun and fellowship. The Club is looking to expand and is looking for new members. Rotary is totally diverse and open to all over the age of 18.
If you would like to know more why not get in touch. Send an email to secretary@towcester-rotary.org.uk or visit the Club's website www.towcester-rotary.org.uk.
At Our Meeting 25th September “Promoting Peace – We promote goodwill and understanding across the world by training local leaders to support long-term peacebuilding understanding”
This is the message brought to the Club at our Thursday evening meeting by Rtn Nigel Anderson, President of the Rotary Club of Wellingborough with a particular emphasis on training our younger generation in the need for Peace Advocacy.
Nigel is District 1070 champion for Peace Advocacy in schools under the title of ‘Peace Advocate for Schools’. He has successfully introduced a number of schools in the Wellingborough area to the concept of having dedicated Peace Advocates in primary and senior schools.
The aim is to teach children, who will be the next generation, on how to handle difficult situations which are causing them to feel anxious or fearful of everyday life. They face a number of serious concerns that need addressing. Nigel says that in society today the major concerns to children are bullying, social media exposure, knife crimes and drugs to name but a few.
The aim of the programme is conflict resolution. Teaching children that talking is the way forward, talking through a problem which can lead to a resolution. Studies have shown that children talking amongst themselves are far more likely to give them an opportunity to discuss and resolve problems than talking to an adult.
The steps taken by a Peace Advocate attempt to get children to think about their life styles. A negative life stye, in most cases, leads to mental health problems that can affect a child throughout his or her life. The process adopted by a Peace Advocate gives a child the opportunity to recognize that certain life styles can lead to these mental health problems.
Nigel says it is important to get a school to ‘buy in’ to the concept and support it. Rotary provides training to selected children, who then manage the themselves in the school environment. In fact, one school has a number of trained children who wear tabards identifying themselves as ‘Peace Warriors’. They make themselves available to talk to other children who are perhaps feeling anxious or fearful.
This is one of the many services that Rotary is developing to help our children grow up in what is at the moment a dangerous world and to make it a more peaceful and stable world.
Nigel agreed to send further information on Peace Advocacy for the club to give its consideration and perhaps introduction into the Towcester and District Schools.
Nigel is seen above being thanked by President John.
For further information contact Rtn Nigel Anderson –
nigel.anderson.na@gmail.com
Meeting 4th September - Physiotherapist
Meeting 4th September - Physiotherapist
Alastair Greetham MCSP – Physiotherapist
At the Thursday meeting 4th September.. Alastair who was trained in the military and worked mainly in the area of orthopedic rehabilitation. He has a clinical interest in movement and posture-related problems
. During his presentation the club had ‘audience participation’ with carrying out simple exercises that affect the body and improve it’s posture.
Alastair has undertaken a study of movements we all take in our everyday life and from a review of the results he has discovered that the average human makes up to 500 movements per day, that are considered to be similar to ‘squats’.
The simple act of getting up out of a chair is an exercise that many people do not undertake properly. The way a person stands can have an effect on muscle groupings. Alastair demonstrated the rights and wrongs and had the audience taking part.
At the end of the evening all those in attendance understood the importance of keeping active and how simple exercises can help the body maintain itself and improve the physical wellbeing.
At Thursday’s meeting, 28th August.
Sue Jobbings gave an interesting and informative presentation on the services provided by Spring, a Northamptonshire based organization that provides a service called Social Prescribing and covers nearly all aspects relating to lifestyle and both physical and mental health.
Spring works in conjunction with Northamptonshire Health and Care Partnership and Public Health Northamptonshire, and is open to all adults living in the county who have at least one long term health condition and would like to improve their health and wellbeing.
The majority of GP surgeries have a trained Social Prescriber in the practice who are able to refer a patient to Spring. However, not all participants come from surgeries, there is a route for self-referral.
Sue gave an outline of all the services her organization provides. Working with a Social Prescriber helps give a person control over their life style working on such aspects as looking after themselves, managing symptoms of health-related conditions, both physical and mental, financial advice, managing attitudes to life style choices and how they affect relationships, giving a person a more positive outlook on life. Spring’s services are far reaching and available to all in the county.
For further information contact your GP’s surgery or visit Spring’s website…
www.springnorthamptonshire.org
On Thursday the 7th Augusts meeting the Club was given an interesting presentation by the Deanshanger Hedgehog Rescue Centre. Rachel and Dominic Mathews started the Deanshanger Hedgehog Rescue Centre in the summer of 2021, after years of observing hedgehogs in their village and garden, and the realisation that there was no rescue facility in the local area.
Their busiest season (June – October) they are often full to capacity…but when the phone rings they know that there is another hedgehog in desperate need of help! Of course, they always try their very best to get it to another rescue centre or a knowledgeable vet, however this often takes time – something that a poorly hedgehog often doesn’t have! Combine this with more travelling, further stress and delaying treatment. Some sadly can’t fight for long enough.
Having started in their shed. It became clear very quickly that demand was high in the area and so they had to come up with another plan.....they turned a room in their home into a critical care area, with the shed now being used for hedgehog rehabilitation!
At our weekly meeting on the 24th July, the Club was entertained to a presentation by Odette Mould MBE, Founder and Sam Williams, Family Liaison Officer on the services offered by Harry’s Rainbow, a Milton Keynes based charity for bereaved families covering MK, Northampton and District.
This charity was founded by Odette 14 years when she sadly lost her son, Harry, leaving a twin sister. Odette then realized that there wasn’t any bereavement counselling in the area, having to travel over 30 miles to the nearest centre. The charity’s mantra is…
“We aim to give bereaved children a brighter tomorrow”
Odette realized that Jessica, Harry’s twin sister was suffering from the loss of her brother and she decided to help her daughter find a way through. She investigated other bereavement counselling organizations and set out a series of actions that she found helped other families in a similar situation. The charity supports over 600 children with more and more joining each year. Last year 179 children were registered with the charity.
The Charity offers a number of bespoke services including…
· Support Groups
· Memory Boxes and Books
· Trips, Activities and Parties
· Therapeutic Mentoring
· Short Breaks at the Charity’s Caravan
· Podcast
· School Support and Training
· Projects
One of the best actions is that of talking through the bereavement with those affected.
3rd July - SOUTH AFRICA comes to TOWCESTER - Rotarian Noelean Jorgensen from the Rotary Club of Port Elizabeth, South Africa visited Towcester to attend the Silverstone F1 weekend. She was entertained by the Rotary Club of Towcester, an example of how the Rotary Family works. Arriving on Thursday, she was met at Milton Keynes Central by three club members and brought to Towcester. In the evening, she attended the Club’s weekly meeting where she gave a presentation on the activities of her club in Port Elizabeth, a smaller club than Towcester, although they carry out similar activities to those we undertake in Towcester, supporting the younger generation particularly those that are venerable and at risk, to the older generation that require support and assistance.
Noelean stayed with one of the Club’s Rotarians and arrangements were made to transport her to and from the Silverstone circuit, not an easy task on such a busy weekend.
On the Saturday evening, a supper party for her which was well attended by a number of the Towcester members.
This is an example of how the Rotary family works. You may be a member of a small club, but you are also welcomed at any of the 45,000 clubs worldwide.
If you would like to know more about Rotary and particularly Rotary in Towcester then send an email to secretary@towcester-rotary.org.uk. Alternatively visit the Club’s web site www.towcester-rotary.org.uk .
We meet on a Thursday evening at the Saracens Head Hotel, Towcester.
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