New Malden Rorary Club Update April
by Richard Smith
Peter Hope
New Malden Rotary along with the whole New Malden community mourns the loss of Peter Hope who died on the 15th March. Peter was a brilliant and well-loved vet, founder of Hope and Davis in Burlington Road. The number of tributes posted already on social media are testament to the esteem in which he was and continued to be held as a caring and compassionate vet so long after retiring from his practice.
He was a Rotarian for 33 years, President of New Malden Rotary twice, and in his retirement was still a leader in much of New Malden’s life. As a Rotary member he led the team which worked hard in recent years to ensure that New Malden’s Christmas lights continue to brighten the High Street each December. Similarly, the displays of hanging baskets which adorn the High Street in summer are to a large extent a result of his lobbying, cajoling and charming local people, businesses and Councillors. It is thanks to Peter’s work with Malden and Coombe Neighbourhood Committee to get agreement on a grant that we shall have a full display for the High Street this year.
For such a quietly spoken and calm man Peter had enormous powers of persuasion. People listened to him and trusted him. He will be remembered with love and affection by many people for many years.
by Richard Smith
Peter Hope
New Malden Rotary along with the whole New Malden community mourns the loss of Peter Hope who died on the 15th March. Peter was a brilliant and well-loved vet, founder of Hope and Davis in Burlington Road. The number of tributes posted already on social media are testament to the esteem in which he was and continued to be held as a caring and compassionate vet so long after retiring from his practice.
He was a Rotarian for 33 years, President of New Malden Rotary twice, and in his retirement was still a leader in much of New Malden’s life. As a Rotary member he led the team which worked hard in recent years to ensure that New Malden’s Christmas lights continue to brighten the High Street each December. Similarly, the displays of hanging baskets which adorn the High Street in summer are to a large extent a result of his lobbying, cajoling and charming local people, businesses and Councillors. It is thanks to Peter’s work with Malden and Coombe Neighbourhood Committee to get agreement on a grant that we shall have a full display for the High Street this year.
For such a quietly spoken and calm man Peter had enormous powers of persuasion. People listened to him and trusted him. He will be remembered with love and affection by many people for many years.
WHAT IS ROTARY? ….AND WHY?
Rotary serves communities. Rooted in our own communities but with a global outlook, we are in a unique position to be able to tackle challenges, at home and abroad. Rotary International has 1.2 million members, in 35,000 clubs, in over 200 countries.
New Malden Rotary has been working in our local community for over 90 years. An active group of local people, ready to turn ideas and vision into real change, by creating opportunities and supporting those who need support and assistance most.
Assisting our Schools
Primary Schools: we have been working on projects developing reading skills on a one to one basis with young pupils.
Secondary Schools: we utilise our expertise in business to assist Year 12 students in secondary schools to understand how to prepare and perform in an interview for university places, apprenticeships, or their first job.
We also organised and sponsored the music event “The Beat Goes On” showcasing the combined musical talents of New Malden’s four secondary schools. It is planned to repeat this in July this year …… if Covid 19 allows.
How do we use the money you donate to Rotary?
We support activities through the year; just in the last few months this has included:
A report on the current situation with the lights was in February’s Village Voice. The hanging baskets which decorate the High Street through the summer months have been occupying our attention recently. As with the lights, New Malden Rotary has undertaken to co-ordinate the supply and financing of these in recent years. This year the planned 32 baskets will cost around £3,000. Thankfully, we have a contribution of £1,500 from our local Councillors’ allowances and we have been working to raise the remainder from local businesses, a task that is difficult in these times of struggling High Streets. We’ve had offers from individuals as well. The latest news is that Malden and Coombe Neighbourhood Committee have now agreed to provide a further grant to fund the balance necessary so we are in a position to place the order and brighten up our High Street in a year which needs as much brightening as possible.
Some people ask us the simple question: Why?
The simple answer is because we want to be doing something useful and enjoyable
Most Rotary members join because they want to be part of an organisation that contributes to their local community. One of the avenues we pursue in order to achieve the service we give is the “development of acquaintance”, another way of saying “we make friends.” By working together, as friends, we gain as much as we put in, and it makes for an enjoyable experience while making that contribution.
Meeting regularly helps to grow such friendships, which is why we have always met over a meal. Traditionally we meet every week, but we are aware that in the modern world, particularly the business world, people do not have time. There is much more flexibility these days and New Malden Rotary is constantly reviewing the need for such regular interaction. The current health situation forces us to rethink again and may well push us more into using electronic communication, not just as an emergency expedient, but possibly as the norm for the future.
We know that there are potential members who are put off, solely because of the traditional weekly commitment. We do ask for commitment … but no longer for a promise to turn up every Monday.
So maybe it’s not a question of WHY? …. more a question of WHY NOT?
Could you get involved? Why not find out more? Visit our website www.newmaldenrotary.org.uk or call our PR volunteer Richard on 07860 878086
Rotary serves communities. Rooted in our own communities but with a global outlook, we are in a unique position to be able to tackle challenges, at home and abroad. Rotary International has 1.2 million members, in 35,000 clubs, in over 200 countries.
New Malden Rotary has been working in our local community for over 90 years. An active group of local people, ready to turn ideas and vision into real change, by creating opportunities and supporting those who need support and assistance most.
Assisting our Schools
Primary Schools: we have been working on projects developing reading skills on a one to one basis with young pupils.
Secondary Schools: we utilise our expertise in business to assist Year 12 students in secondary schools to understand how to prepare and perform in an interview for university places, apprenticeships, or their first job.
We also organised and sponsored the music event “The Beat Goes On” showcasing the combined musical talents of New Malden’s four secondary schools. It is planned to repeat this in July this year …… if Covid 19 allows.
How do we use the money you donate to Rotary?
We support activities through the year; just in the last few months this has included:
- Celebration meals run by local churches and other organisations for people who would otherwise be alone at Christmas.
- Small amounts distributed to 24 residents and families known to be in financial hardship.
- Rotary members helping other local charities supporting the homeless and refugees.
A report on the current situation with the lights was in February’s Village Voice. The hanging baskets which decorate the High Street through the summer months have been occupying our attention recently. As with the lights, New Malden Rotary has undertaken to co-ordinate the supply and financing of these in recent years. This year the planned 32 baskets will cost around £3,000. Thankfully, we have a contribution of £1,500 from our local Councillors’ allowances and we have been working to raise the remainder from local businesses, a task that is difficult in these times of struggling High Streets. We’ve had offers from individuals as well. The latest news is that Malden and Coombe Neighbourhood Committee have now agreed to provide a further grant to fund the balance necessary so we are in a position to place the order and brighten up our High Street in a year which needs as much brightening as possible.
Some people ask us the simple question: Why?
The simple answer is because we want to be doing something useful and enjoyable
Most Rotary members join because they want to be part of an organisation that contributes to their local community. One of the avenues we pursue in order to achieve the service we give is the “development of acquaintance”, another way of saying “we make friends.” By working together, as friends, we gain as much as we put in, and it makes for an enjoyable experience while making that contribution.
Meeting regularly helps to grow such friendships, which is why we have always met over a meal. Traditionally we meet every week, but we are aware that in the modern world, particularly the business world, people do not have time. There is much more flexibility these days and New Malden Rotary is constantly reviewing the need for such regular interaction. The current health situation forces us to rethink again and may well push us more into using electronic communication, not just as an emergency expedient, but possibly as the norm for the future.
We know that there are potential members who are put off, solely because of the traditional weekly commitment. We do ask for commitment … but no longer for a promise to turn up every Monday.
So maybe it’s not a question of WHY? …. more a question of WHY NOT?
Could you get involved? Why not find out more? Visit our website www.newmaldenrotary.org.uk or call our PR volunteer Richard on 07860 878086