Dave Bowling from Community First Responder gave a fascinating presentation on the work of this volunteer medical emergency service.
A First Responders aim, as the name suggests, is to be the first on the scene of a medical emergency providing not only emergency care, but life support and also comfort, all usually at a time of stress.
This year the Presidents weekend was held at Heythrop Park, a Warner hotel in the Cotswolds, from the 23rd to the 26th October and attended, in all, by 23 which included members and spouses. This is the time that the Club stops its fundraising and other charitable activities to celebrate the work and office of our President, Dave Wheatley.
There were lots of fun and a good turnout of Club members and their guests, at the Quiz Night at the Thurrock Rugby Club on 16th October. Quiz Master John Smith set a challenging set of questions to the teams present. As an example, "If you held a large rock whilst standing in a boat on a pond and dropped the rock in the pond, would the pond rise, fall or stay at the same level" – answer below.
Eight hardy Rotarians, accompanied by one remarkably energetic dog, took part in the President’s Walk on Saturday 19th September, setting off from Pitsea and heading towards Southend seafront along the King Charles III England Coast Path – a managed 2,700-mile-long footpath stretching out around the coast of England. Our ten-mile route took us through some fascinating local countryside and history, with Dave Wheatley our President, providing a running commentary along the way.
It is with great sadness that we record the death of Peter Brainwood, who passed away recently at the age of 92.
Peter joined Rotary in 1994, following his involvement with Round Table, as did many members of our Club. Over more than three decades he became an integral part of the life and character of the Club, serving as Club President in 2002 and contributing to numerous committees and Club activities over the years.
On Thursday 10 September, Corin and Kevin went to Boreham Bowling Club to play Chelmer Bridge B in the final of the District 1240 bowls competition.
The result was Chelmer Bridge 11 : Grays 25. In other words, we won the thing.
Well done Grays Thurrock!
The Rotary Club of Grays Thurrock held its annual Charity Golf Day on 18 August at Orsett Golf Club, welcoming an impressive field of 115 golfers for a superb day of sport, fellowship, and fundraising.
The weather provided ideal playing conditions — fine, dry, and cooler than recent weeks — making it a perfect day for golfers to enjoy the beautifully presented course.
The Club’s Youth Services Team has enjoyed another highly successful year and is already planning next year’s programme.
Across the different events, around 500 students took part, demonstrating creativity, teamwork and impressive talent.
On July 31st 2026, President Dave Wheatley and Rotarian Bob Paterson attended the Summer Garden Party at Meadowview Ward, Thurrock Hospital.
This event was to showcase the ward’s fundraising achievements and transformation of the ward into a more dementia-friendly environment.
Our Club President Dave has recently visited clubs in New Zealand where they have a Pot Luck Supper as a social event. Every member is welcome and all you have to bring, apart from yourselves is an item of food and the drink to share on the buffet table. It would appear this also happens to some clubs in the UK where they are held on a Friday and called TGIF (Thanks Goodness it's Friday).
So Dave organised one for Grays Thurrock …
The Club has rewarded long serving member Peter Brainwood with Honorary Membership of the Club. Past President Paul Smith recently made the award at Peter's home. Peter was a recent recipient of a Long Service Award, was a former President and until recently was our Dinner Secretary.
The new Rotary Year starts on the 1st July and so it’s all change at the Club. Today was the handover from the existing to the new President and it also marked the last Thursday lunchtime meeting the Club will hold at Orsett Hall.
Twenty‑three members and guests of the Rotary Club of Grays Thurrock enjoyed a fantastic social evening on Tuesday 9 June as we travelled to Chelmsford for the T20 clash between Essex Men and Kent Spitfires.
The Rotary Club of Grays Thurrock was delighted to host the 65th Tripartite of the Rotary Clubs of Iserlohn, Voorschoten‑Leidschendam and Grays Thurrock, and extended a very warm welcome to everyone who attended.
The weekend was held from 15 to 17 May 2026 but many of our guests stayed in the UK for longer and visited London.
Since 1 January 2025, we have donated £38,503 to charities and good causes.
Every pound of this has come from the incredible generosity of the people and businesses of Thurrock, and from the hard work of our volunteers throughout the year. Thank you — your support allows us to make a real difference in our community.
Here’s how your contributions have helped…
On Wednesday 1st June the Club organised an annual ‘Rotary Children's Fun Day’ day by taking on a hot and sunny day, two coach loads full of children, their carers’ and teachers from Treetops School to Adventure Island and the Sealife Centre at Southend-on-Sea, Essex for an enjoyable day out.
As for many years in the past, our Club has been giving disabled and disadvantaged young people the chance to enjoy new experiences, taste adventure and have a fun day out and we are glad to say we achieved the objective.
