Plans are well underway for the Swanage and Purbeck Rotary’s summer fete, which raised more than £8,000 for charitable causes in 2025.
Lashed by rain or blown sideways by gales in some of the previous years, it’s hoped the sun will still be shining by the time of the fete, which takes place from 10 am to 5 pm on Thursday 6th August 2026 in Swanage, Dorset.
As soon as one Swanage event ends, there’s another one to look forward to!
Alternative to the beach
The annual summer community event on Sandpit Field will include plenty of traditional stalls, entertainment, and a grand raffle, and offers visitors a fun alternative to spending the whole day at the beach.
The food and drink stalls are always particularly popular with a wide choice of reasonably priced and tasty fare.
Swanage and Purbeck Rotary fete organiser Steven Leigh said:
“This year’s fete will have a real community feel with more stalls from charities, local organisations, and businesses than last year, alongside a wide range of gift stands.
“We’ve also got plenty of food stalls offering a variety of treats including wraps, pizzas, filled rolls, ice cream and crepes. As usual, there will be lots of activities for children, as well as free face painting.
“A big thank you to all the local organisations who have provided raffle prizes and other goods, plus equipment for the event, all of whom we will be thanking personally.
“We are really looking forward to this year’s fair and welcoming everyone to Sandpit Field, so please come along!”
Swanage and Purbeck Rotary fete organiser Steven Leigh
Plenty of interesting stalls to browse
Fundraising for Venezuela earthquake victims
Swanage and Purbeck Rotary organises a number of charitable events throughout the year. As well as the summer fete in August, it also runs the Swanage Christmas Market and Santa’s tour around the town on his sleigh.
It donates the money raised to good causes and also responds to emergencies at home and abroad.
Most recently, Swanage and Purbeck Rotary members had a street collection for the victims of the Venezuela earthquake where they raised an amazing £1,400 over a weekend at the beginning of July 2026.
These funds have been donated to ShelterBox, a charity originally started as a Millenium project by Helston Rotary club in Cornwall but is now a worldwide organisation that provides immediate support to victims of natural disasters.
A street collection in Swanage raised £1,400 for those affected by the recent earthquake in Venezuela
End Polio Now
Another good cause which Rotary focuses on is the End Polio Now initiative, aimed at eradicating polio, a viral disease, from the world.
On Saturday 11th July 2026 it had a stall outside The Mowlem promoting the campaign. It was initiated by Rotary International in the 1980’s when there were more than 1,000 cases of wild polio worldwide every day.
Due to the Rotary campaign, and financial support from the Gates Foundation which double matches Rotary’s fundraising, there have been less than 20 cases anywhere in the world in 2026.
Swanage and Purbeck Rotary says it will be holding another fundraising event for End Polio Now in autumn 2026.
Swanage and Purbeck Rotary meets once a month on a Wednesday, usually at the Swanage Sailing Club next to the pier. New members are always welcome.
The weather wasn’t kind to the Rotary summer fete in 2024!
