We are a social club who enjoy each other's company. We contribute actively within our community and on the international stage.
We are a club that looks beyond its local community to the wider world. Rotary has various global themes that we engage with - the Polio campaign, disaster relief and rebuilding, as well as Scholarship programmes. In the last few years our global scholars have come from Japan to study Masters programmes giving us a great opportunity to find out about a different culture and make links with other Rotarians.
Overseas friendship links are very much part of Rotary. We have long lasting friendships with clubs in Bordeaux, Hannover, Stockholm and Porto with regular exchange visits. A more recent link with a club in Pokhara, Nepal arose out of our international projects to provide fresh water and rebuild schools damaged by earthquakes. We are always looking for new ideas for overseas projects and links so recently supported the building of a nursery school through the Bristol Nicaragua twinning association. Rotarians are always welcomed at other clubs throughout the world - a great way to make new friends and promote better international understanding and relationships.
The August 4th 2020 catastrophic Beirut port explosion motivated Past Governor Ian Beattie with International Chair, the late Peter Guttridge, Foundation specialist Jill Johnston and Immediate Past Governor, Chris Firth from the Royal Wootton Bassett club to establish links with District 2452’s Beirut Cedars Club. A subsequent “Just Giving” appeal raised over €20,000 for Cedars Club, providing food parcels and solar torches for families affected by the explosion.
As schools in Lebanon are short of resources, our club hoped to initiate a Rotary Global Grant for a further project to train Secondary School teachers and their pupils in “coding”
Regrettably it has not been possible to obtain a Rotary Global Grant and funds which the Rotary Club of Bristol Trust Fund was holding for the project have been returned to donors wherever they have been identified and have asked to be refunded. The part of the fundraising proceeds which are left to the Trust Fund will be used for other Bristol Rotary Club projects.
Under the requirement of the Charity Act 2022, we have returned a sum of £7,385 to all those identified and contacted who donated £120 or more to the project and asked us to refund their money.
“Little House of Peace”
The preschool “Little House of Peace” was officially inaugurated in Puerto Morazan with a children’s marching band, majorettes and a piñata. The project was funded thanks to money raised at this year’s and last year’s Copa Sandino as well as generous donations from the Bristol and Clifton Rotary Clubs plus our Crowdfunder friends. Thanks to your support, the children no longer have to walk a long way to have lessons in a shrimp store-room and many more children will now sign up for the preschool.We have been overwhelmed by people’s commitment and support on the ground and even the Nicaraguan Vice President spoke about the project and the links with Bristol live on Nicaraguan national radio recently.
We supported the Friends of Morazán so that they could purchase Montessori Method teaching materials for the "Casita de la Paz" preschool
Visit our Facebook pageThe Rotary Club of Bristol has had a long association with Nepal, involving projects primarily linked to education and clean water supply. A talk by Dr Tim Mitchell, a trustee of The Pahar Trust, and a fellow Rotarian, in 2010, was the catalyst for the ongoing support that we give.In that talk he vividly described conditions in this beautiful but impoverished country and the service that the Ghurkhas have given to the British Army for well over a century. Returning Ghurkha servicemen were the ones to highlight the desperate need for education and health support which was picked up and became The Pahar Trust. We were introduced to members of the Rotary Club of Pokhara in Nepal and from this have developed a continuing number of projects.
The International Committee continues to promote this link & club members make regular visits to Nepal to visit the projects. Our efforts in Nepal have inspired many other clubs within District 1100 to join us in the work in Nepal, and health posts and schools have been built with contributions from other clubs.
We are very grateful to them for this past and ongoing support and very proud that Tim Mitchell was honoured as a Rotary Champion of Change for his work to improve the lives of remote communities in Nepal.
Visit The Pahar TrustIn conjunction with local schools we run the local heats for talented Young Bristolians for the Young Chef; Young Musician; Young Writer; Youth Speaks - A Debate; Young Photographer; & a Technology tournament. After the heats we support the successful contestants progress to further heats - we have had several winners of National finals. We also help with Days Out & Holidays for disadvantaged children and Mock Interviews.
Young Musician – a competition organised in conjunction with other Bristol Rotary clubs for school children 13-18 who are Grade 7 standard or above performing on any instrument or singing. Details from www.youngmusicianbristol.com
Youth Speaks - A Debate - A competition for Junior and Senior teams of 3 speakers from schools in Bristol who compete in a local competition in November.
Young Chef – A competition for individuals to plan and prepare a 3-course meal for 2 people and present it to the judges.
Rotary Children's Fun Day – As part of nationalwe take a party of disadvantaged children for a day out.
Technology Tournament - This competition requires students to apply their knowledge of STEM subjects to solve a specific design & construction challenge.
Young Photographer - a competition for 11-17 year olds to submit photographs on a given theme which is issued each July.
If you are interested in any of these Youth competitions, contact the Bristol Rotary Club through this website.
Young Bristol - Outdoor Employment Programme - Supporting young people to gain skills and qualifications through outdoor activities helping them into employment.
Senior Citizens' Concert - in 2017 Bristol Rotary Club organised the 55th of these annual concerts at, what is now known as, the Bristol Beacon. These concerts are variety shows specifically aimed at Bristol's older citizens. Tickets for these events are free & the show is stage-managed & stewarded by club members, with local performers giving their services free. Sadly, the concert is having to take a break whilst the Bristol Beacon undergoes refurbishment. Watch this space for a re-launch of the annual concerts whenever the venue re-opens!
Julian Trust -The club has supported The Julian Trust and its work for the homeless for many years in various ways. There are regular collections of items requested.
Physionet - Recycling unwanted NHS equipment - crutches, wheelchairs etc. Club members help to clean and package items ready for shipping to developing countries.
Club Members support many charities in many ways - as well as those mentioned above here are a few other examples:
The Shannon Trust: A charity which supports, trains & inspires prisoners who can read to teach those who can't. Through peer mentoring they enable people to unlock the power of reading, transforming the lives of thousands of men & women each year. www.shannontrust.org.uk
Read Easy Bristol: A charity which helps people in the community learn to read. They use the same manuals
as Shannon Trust. www.readeasy.org.uk
Clifton Suspension Bridge Visitor Centre: The centre features information & exhibits of the history of Brunel's bridge & it's construction, as well as running tours & school trip educational activities. www.cliftonbridge.org.uk/visitorcentre
Milestones Trust: Charity supporting people with learning difficulties & mental health needs in Bristol. www.milestonestrust.org.uk
SOFA Project Bristol: A charity which trains & employs disadvantaged persons & ex-offenders to collect & renovate furniture & other household goods which are then supplied to people in need, a strong emphasis on recycling & re-using materials that would otherwise go to landfill. www.sofaproject.org.uk
BCFM Local Radio Station: A local award-winning Community Radio Station - now 11 years old. www.bcfmradio.com
If you would like to know more, you can be put in touch with a Bristol Rotary Club member through this website or visit the organisations website. If you are interested in any of these Youth competitions, contact the Bristol Rotary Club through this website.
Our UK & International Projects & Events
Charity No: 290006
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