Swanage and Purbeck Rotary has celebrated another year of fundraising and community service by giving generously to good causes, recognising local unsung heroes and welcoming a new president.
More than 80 members and guests gathered at The Swanage School on Wednesday 1st July 2026 for the club’s annual celebration and handover evening, looking back on a year which saw more than £35,000 distributed to local charities, community projects, and national causes.
Rotary’s southern and central district governor Steve Parsons (left) with Swanage and Purbeck Rotary’s newly inaugurated president Linda Winter (right)
Generosity of community
The club raised £7,000 through its 2025 annual summer fete and a further £12,500 from its festive fundraising activities.
Those efforts and others enabled Swanage and Purbeck Rotary to donate £15,000 to local charities, while also contributing £20,000 to Rotary International causes, including the global End Polio Now campaign.
It marked the end of outgoing president Bart Libicki’s year in office and the official inauguration of Linda Winter as the club’s new president by Rotary’s southern and central district governor Steve Parsons who lives in Swanage.
Taking over the chain of office, and choosing children’s hospice Julia’s House to be her presidential charity for 2026-27, Linda Winter said she wanted to build on the club’s strong community work while continuing to attract younger members.
Julia’s House children’s hospice has been chosen as Linda Winter’s presidential charity for 2026-27
“Enjoy being a Rotarian”
Linda Winter said:
“I would like the club to continue what they are very successfully doing in the community, internationally and in schools with the youth of Purbeck.
“I would also like to get more, preferably younger, members to show that we are a progressive club, support our older members who are the backbone of our club – and above all I would like our members to have fun and enjoy being a Rotarian.
“I have chosen Julia’s House to be my charity for the year because of the wonderful work the staff do for the children in residence and outreach for the children and their families.
“The equipment they have there is amazing but very costly so we, as a club, will be fundraising over the next Rotary year for this very worthwhile charity.”
Master of Ceremonies Chris Le Fevre reflected on Rotary’s successful year
“Highlight how we can help”
Reflecting on the past 12 months, Rotary secretary and master of ceremonies Chris Le Fevre said:
“We’ve had a great year – we have been able to attract a number of younger members to Swanage Rotary and we are always looking to welcome more.
“It has been an excellent year and we are very much indebted to the entire community for all the support we have received throughout the last 12 months.
“We donated more than £15,000 to local charities, including to Swanage Skate Park, AllSort’d and Greengage Community Garden, but we wanted to mention others which highlight the breadth of how we can help.”
Kitty’s Bench has been installed opposite the station to help one resident hail a taxi
“Struggled to catch a taxi”
Chris added:
“One is what we know as Kitty’s bench, which we installed opposite the station after being approached by a member of the public who struggled to catch a taxi because she was never quick enough when one arrived at the rank.
“She thought that if she was able to sit close to the taxi rank it would solve her problem, so with the help of Swanage Town Council, we were able to do just that.
“And although we would not normally support animal charities, Margaret Green Animal Rescue made a very strong case for the role it plays in helping to look after the pets of individuals who fall ill and may otherwise not be able to keep them.
“I think these examples show what we are able to do for the community if they ask us for help.”
Steve Etches of the Etches Collection in Kimmeridge has helped Rotary’s work with young people
Work with young people
The club highlighted its extensive work with young people during the past year, supporting projects focusing on music, learning, development and creativity.
Among the initiatives were funding a successful Young Musicians competition, enabling a hundred local children to attend a Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra concert, supporting Purbeck Young Stars, helping youngsters visit the Etches Collection Museum, and assisting both 4th Swanage Scouts and Swanage Guides with major international trips.
Rotary bought tickets for local children to see the documentary about Kimmeridge’s Sea Rex at the Mowlem, purchased child sized croquet mallets for an after school club, and gave every preschool child a book for Christmas.
It also provided Easter activity funding to local primary schools and, alongside Planet Purbeck, celebrated Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday with the community.
Singer Karen Grant (right)) was honoured with a Paul Harris Fellowship Award
Return of Clem Dennis awards
The evening also celebrated the return of the Clem Dennis Award, recognising pupils from local primary schools who demonstrate determination, resilience and service to others rather than academic or sporting achievement.
Clem Dennis, a former Swanage Rotarian and president, was a larger than life character who promoted wheelchair access and campaigned successfully for lowered kerbs in Swanage.
Awards were presented to Florence from St Mark’s Primary School, Swanage, for being consistently kind, hard working and always giving her very best; and to Albie from St George’s School, Swanage, for being a superb team player who shows remarkable determination in everything he takes on.
The other winners were Mollie from Swanage Primary School for helping out with the younger children in school and being a brilliant role model; to Wren from Corfe Castle Primary School for her dedication, determination, and outstanding contribution to the school; and to Aylish from St Mary’s Primary School for always showing great resilience, tenacity and perseverance.
Maggie Hardy (left) with Linda Winter (centre) and Linda Buckley (right), who received a Paul Harris Fellowship for 25 years of service with Swanage Scouting
Linda Buckley (left) was joined by Val Burden (right), who was honoured for 30 years of service with the Girl Guides
“Your contribution matters”
International committee chair, Maggie Hardy, outlined the club’s overseas humanitarian work, which included a street collection supporting victims of the Jamaican hurricane, a Christmas Shoebox Appeal for children in Ukraine and the Balkans, and support for Rotary’s End Polio Now campaign.
She announced that another street collection would be held in Swanage on Saturday 4th July 2026 to help those affected by earthquakes in Venezuela, while a seafront awareness event in August 2026 would also promote the campaign to eradicate polio.
One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of 10 prestigious Paul Harris Fellowships, Rotary’s highest honour, recognising individuals who have made exceptional contributions to their communities.
Maggie Hardy described the awards as Rotary’s way of thanking people whose efforts often go unnoticed, and said:
“It is our way of saying we see you, appreciate you and notice what you do, even when you think that nobody is watching.
“It says that your contribution matters, your kindness matters, your leadership matters and your humanity matters.”
Phil Samways was praised by Swanage Coastguard station officer Ian Brown for his 52 years with the local coastguards
Former Swanage town mayor Mike Bonfield received a Paul Harris Fellowship for a lifetime of service to the town
“Like a mountain goat”
Among those honoured were Linda Buckley for 25 years supporting local Scouting, Val Burden for three decades leading Girlguiding in Swanage and Langton Matravers, Karen Grant for half a century of fundraising through music, and farmer Phil Samways, recognised for an extraordinary 52 years serving with HM Coastguard.
Presenting Phil’s award, Swanage Coastguard station officer Ian Brown praised his colleague’s dedication and said:
“He is a bit like a mountain goat in that he can stick sideways to cliffs, and is a great credit to the teams at Swanage, St Albans, Kimmeridge and Lulworth.
“He is known throughout for his local knowledge which has been invaluable in saving many lives.”
Peter Davies (right) was one of four Swanage Rotarians honoured for outstanding service to the club
Margaret Christie (left) thanked the meeting after receiving her Paul Harris Fellowship award
Outstanding service
Paul Harris Fellowships were also presented to Rotarians Peter Davies, Margaret Christie, Judy Senior and Jenny Hynan for their outstanding service to the club.
Paleontologist Steve Etches was recognised for his educational work with young people through his museum in Kimmeridge.
And former Swanage town mayor Mike Bonfield also received the honour in recognition of his long-standing contribution to both the town and Rotary.
Judy Senior was one of four Swanage Rotarians whose quiet work behind the scenes was celebrated at the event
Jenny Hynan (right) was praised for her work as programme lead for Swanage Rotary
Further information
- More about Swanage and Purbeck Rotary
