On Friday 4th December on a very cold afternoon, the 2020 Tree of Light was switched on. Arranged by Yate Rotary club, in conjunction with Yate Shopping Centre, a large tree near the eastern entrance, was lit up with 250 lights.

The President of Yate Rotary Club, Rtn Richard Gilpin, led the proceedings.

He introduced the Mayor of Yate, Cllr Karl Tomasin, who thanked the Rotary Club for all of their good work achieved both locally and internationally. He also thanked them for this splendid idea of the ‘Tree of Light’, enabling everyone to sponsor a light and remember a loved one or celebrate a special occasion.

The President expressed thanks to the Manager of the Shopping Centre, Mr Andrew Lowrey; the Director of Cotswold Homes, Mr Liam Rinn, whose sponsorship enabled the Rotary Club to get the project off the ground, and the other local businesses who generously helped to finance the 2020 lights: Adorno Companions, The Boundary Magazine, Murray Hire, SprintPrint, and Frost Wiltshire Accountants.

Christmas songs were played at the beginning and at the end of the ceremony. The recording was produced by the Year 8 Choir of Yate Academy who so much wanted to be present and sing live for the switching-on ceremony, but sadly were prevented by the Covid-19 restrictions.

A fantastic colouring competition was run in local primary schools for all children in years 5 and 6. The winner was Rocco Carboni from St Pauls Catholic Primary School and he had the privilege of officially switching on the Tree of Light 2020. Four 2nd Prizes were awarded to: Amy Brereton, Thomas E and Winston Hickman of St Mary’s C of E Primary School, and Silvana Osano of Iron Acton C of E Primary School.

The tree will be lit from dusk to midnight every day, shining out to bring us all together in celebration, after a very difficult year.

Rtn Marian Gilpin, co-ordinator of the project, said, ‘We hope everyone in Yate will sponsor a light in celebration of a much loved family member or a special event. The proceeds will help your local Rotary Club to support all kinds of local and international projects through the coming year.’

Details of how to participate are on the website: www.yaterotaryclub.co.uk


Group Photo – Yate Rotary President Richard Gilpin, Mayor Cllr Karl Tomasin, Rocco Carboni, Centre Manager Andrew Lowrey, and Director of Cotswold Homes Liam Rinn.

Chipping Sodbury Rugby Football Club (CSRFC) has been fund-raising since August to construct a wheelchair-friendly pathway from the car park, across the front of the Clubhouse and onward to connect with the existing public footpath along the eastern side of the pitch. This will benefit the general public as well as members of the RFC.

On Wednesday 4th Nov Mr Jon Nutt, Chairman of the Youth Teams, received, on behalf of the CSRFC, a magnificent cheque for £1,500 from Yate and District Rotary Club.

Jon Nutt said, ‘The whole project will cost £6,000 and this generous donation will go a long way towards achieving that total. We are absolutely thrilled with this amazing contribution.’

Richard Gilpin, President of Yate Rotary Club said, ‘We have had a long association with Chipping Sodbury RFC. Every Summer our South Cotswold Beer Festival is held on the RFC practice pitch, the club facilities are made available for campers and the rugby players help by lifting some 80 beer barrels onto the stillages ready for sale. We are delighted to be able to assist with this very worthwhile project.’

After 6 months without the friendships, challenges and encouragement of the school environment, part of the recovery curriculum at North Road School has been the designing and execution of this beautiful mosaic.

The Arts Society Severn Valley (TASSV) and Yate Rotary Club have had a long association with North Road School and we have been delighted to assist, once again, in funding this splendid mosaic. It was the brainchild of Head Teacher, Sarah Stillie, and with the expert help of TomatoJack Arts it was designed to represent the school’s six vital values, its enthusiasm for learning, its respect for wildlife and its acceptance of and respect for diversity. ’We are all different, but we all fit together brilliantly’

Chair of TASSV and Rotarian Linda Griffith worked with the school to bring together the funding required.

The children all took part in the construction of the mosaic, and together they have produced this wonderful daily reminder of Hope, Thankfulness and Aspiration.

Picture: Rtn Richard Gilpin (President) and TAASV Chair and Rtn Linda Griffith with Head Teacher Sarah Stillie, the artist Angela and pupil representatives.

We are very sorry to have to announce that our 2020 (and what would have been our 25th) Beer and Music Festival - 10 & 11 July - is cancelled due to the alarming progress of the worldwide Covid-19 outbreak.

It is now clear that such a large public event cannot be staged this summer, so we are looking forward to July 2021 when we hope to be celebrating a TRULY MAGNIFICENT 25TH ANNIVERSAY FESTIVAL!

Thank you for your interest in our event. Your generosity continues to go towards all the charities which Yate Rotary Club supports.

Keep an eye on our web site, our Facebook Group and our Twitter Feed for details of our 2021 event. As soon as we have more news we'll let you know.