[T]he Annual Silloth on the Green Day was held last Sunday in brilliant sunshine organised by Silloth Rotary and friends. Families joined in the fun with live entertainment, craft stalls, family dog show, fun fair and donkey rides.
In addition this year for the first time 14 Rotary clubs from across North Cumbria came together to showcase their work in communities at home and worldwide.
The Rotary Clubs provided a human fruit machine and a variety of games such as boules and bat the rat where the public were enthusiastically queuing to get involved. A smoothie bike provided people with the opportunity to take some exercise whilst making their own smoothie and there was a schools technology tournament that youngsters could join in. The display of classic cars drew the crowds as well as vehicles promoting Rotary’s Project to Eradicate Polio from the world. There was an opportunity to see an Iron Lung, and some people climbed inside to experience what is was like to spend time in one.
John Cook, President of Silloth Rotary said: “Silloth Rotary were more than happy to host the first ‘Rotary Village’ on the back of Green Day. It gave Rotary a chance to show case many of its valuable projects that not only help people in this country but also globally. With more than 10,000 visitors on the day I would like to think Rotary has raised its profile. It was a grand day out and a thank you to everybody that organised it & to those who took part.”
The whole event was a fantastic day and Wendy Aldred, Rotary Assistant Governor North Cumbria says; “We had lots of interest in Rotary, with queues forming at times to get involved in some of the activities.
“People were amazed at the breadth of our work both locally and internationally. We made some new contacts and people wanted to know more about what we do. It was an excellent community event and we were delighted to support Rotary in Silloth and other local organisations. As a first time event I would class it as a great success with the fabulous weather helping things as well. I hope this is only the start of the ‘Rotary Village’ idea in North Cumbria.
The Rotary Clubs included Appleby, Upper Eden, Brampton & Longtown, Carlisle Castle, Castle South, Wigton, Cockermouth, Silloth, Bassenthwaite, Workington, Whitehaven and Whitehaven Castle.
