Newton Abbot Rotary Club: A century of community support

In this space, I aim to share with readers of the Torbay Weekly some insights into the activities and impact of the Rotary Club of Newton Abbot.

Founded in 1922, our club has proudly supported numerous projects in Newton Abbot for over a century. We are a diverse group, drawing members from all sectors of the community and welcoming individuals of all genders and ages. 

Currently, our membership is at its highest in more than 100 years, boasting 57 male and female Rotarians, 30 primary corporate members, and 48 associates and friends. 

This makes us the largest of the 74 clubs in the Southwest Peninsula District 1175, which encompasses Devon, Cornwall, and the Isles of Scilly.

South Devon is home to several Rotary clubs, including, Newton Abbot, Ashburton/Buckfastleigh, Dawlish Water, Torquay, Paignton, Kingsbridge Estuary, Salcombe, and Teignmouth. These clubs collectively serve the South Devon region. Details about meeting times, venues, and contact information are available on the Rotary International District 1175 website.

 https://rotary-ribi.org/districts/areas.php?DistrictNo=1175

Recent activities include creating a mural near Newton Abbot Library, offering PSA tests to 200+ men. Thanks to our PSA testing initiative, several men were able to seek early treatment for health concerns identified during the event.

Building a sensory garden at Combeshead Academy. We also raised over £1,500 for Mary’s Meals and continue to support Shelterbox. 

Currently, we are organising a Pop-Up Supermarket in partnership with the Devon and Cornwall Food Action Group, to be held at the racecourse. Other initiatives include the school’s art project "DREAM," which provides art materials, and, for the third consecutive year, our Santa’s Grotto at Fermoy’s Garden Centre.

On November 28, I will be driving a van to deliver vital aid to the courageous people of Ukraine, joining the 36th convoy arranged by the Cornwall & Devon – Sending Love to Ukraine organisation. 

Newton Abbot’s two vans will follow up on the three that travelled in October, which delivered 12 tonnes of supplies, including medical equipment, personal hygiene items, sleeping bags, and mobility aids.

The upcoming convoy will consist of seven vans, making the five-day round trip covering approximately 2,400 miles across four countries. 

On the third day, we will arrive at a collection hub in Warsaw, managed by Ukrainian volunteers. While the journey will be arduous, any discomfort I experience is minor compared to the challenges faced by the people of Ukraine.

I look forward to sharing an update about this journey in my next column in early December. Provided we can raise enough funds, Rotary Newton Abbot is committed to continuing these aid deliveries throughout 2026.

For more information about the Rotary Club of Newton Abbot, please visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook. Website https://bit.ly/4271Wh3

To contact me 

To find out more about Rotary Newton Abbot or offers of support email me at martrcna@outlook.com