The Rotary Club of Corringham Thameside

On Thursday 29th April the club took a break from their usual club activites to have an evening of ten-pin bowling at Eddie’s club in Billericay. Rotarians, their wives and friends joined in an evening of light hearted competition. There was plenty of friendly rivalry, particularly from Andrew Brogan and Peter Mestanek who had their own private rivalry, but others enjoyed the ups and downs of the competition whilst those who were not up to playing enjoyed the opportunity to have a friendly chat with their friends. The evening included a basket meal with a choice of five different dishes. We had a jolly good evening and enjoyed the fellowship you would expect to find at Rotary.

Now that the weather has turned a little more seasonal we were able to return to the school and start some of the planting. Firstly, we had to dig over the plot once again as the cold weather had taken its toll and the weeds had arrived with a vengence. Once the ground had been readied we were able to plant some of the plants kindly donated by Clive Yallop from his front garden. There were various other donations, in the form of four variegated laurel bushes from Graham Palmer and a number of plants from David Fenn from his garden. In addition to this we had purchased a number of shrubs, a couple of climbing roses and dozens of bulbs and tubers ranging from frescias, lillies, gladioli, lupins, a total of some 300 bulbs. We also started the herb garden with lemon balm, oregano, purple sage, hyssop, rosemary, curry plant etc.
Already the children and parents are noticing the transformation, and we are receiving plenty of positive reactions from the school. On Saturday we hope to paint and position the two remaining grow boxes, and to sort out the rock garden. We still have to prepare the area to be turfed and to position the frames for the two raised beds which are currently under construction. We are hoping that RIBI President David Fowler will be able to come along to the school on the 29th May to plant a tree and for the garden to be formerly declared open.