BBC Radio Four presenter, Allan Beswick, speaks to Anjie Clay, a Sherwood Sunriser, about being in Rotary.
The sun was barely up on Saturday morning but the Rotary Club of Sherwood Sunrisers were digging into the Nottingham City Hospital garden to tidy up the fallen Autumn leaves.
Joining District Governor Val Leivers and the rest of the Sherwood Sunrisers were RIBI President, Jim Moulson, and Rotaract Chairman, Claire Mackie, who had made the journey for a special BBC Radio Four programme.
Presenter Allan Beswick is investigating how Rotary has evolved over the years and wanted to find out, at grass roots level, what the wonderful organisation is really all about. He was met with a whirlwind of energy as Rotarians and Rotaractors worked together, weeding, raking leaves and planting new blooms for the winter months.
This haven in the middle of the hospital was a piece of wasteland until five years ago when the Sherwood Sunrisers took over. Thanks to support from a local garden centre and a lot of determination, the area has been transformed into an oasis of calm and won several awards.
"This is more than a garden," said President Jim, "This is a space for patients to rest, draw breath and escape from the wards for a while.This is what Rotary does, we make people smile and we do it because we care and have fun."
The two, half-hour programmes are airing in January 2011 on the following dates:
Friday 14th January 11am
Friday 21st January 11am
More details can be found on the BBC Radio Four schedule.
Would you like to make a difference? Contact your local club by using our Find a Club search at the top of this page and enjoy making a difference while having fun and meeting new people.
