Latest News

Future Events

Canterbury Christmas lights and Market

17th December 2024
Venue: Cafe Nero St Georges St. Canterbury
President Maxine invites you to join her for a coffee at Café Nero at 4.30 pm on Tuesday, 17th December before visiting the Canterbury Christmas Market and viewing the Christmas lights.
View Event

President's New Year Drinks

1st January 2025
Venue: Hatch Farm, Stelling Minnis
President's New Year Drinks at Hatch Farm, Stelling Minnis, starting at 12 noon on Wednesday, 1st January.
View Event

Philip Abbott recognised with a Paul Harris F’ship Second Sapphire

Rotarian Philip Abbott has been a member of two Canterbury Rotary Clubs – our own and the Rotary Club of Canterbury Sunrise. He is a hard working Rotarian of many talents and it was a delight to surprise him yesterday with the recognition.

Regular readers will know that members from the three Rotary Clubs of Canterbury (Canterbury, Canterbury Sunrise and Forest of Blean) got together yesterday to light up St Dunstan’s Church to raise awareness about polio and Rotary’s efforts to help eradicate the disease globally.

The lighting is overseen by PP Phil Abbott, so it was a perfect opportunity for him to be surprised by President Jarle Tatt of the Rotary Club of Canterbury Sunrise who introduced one of their Past Presidents, Gill Sissons, who “awarded” Phillip with a Paul Harris Fellowship Second Sapphire*. This was in recognition for all of the work that Phillip did for Sunrise and continues to do for them, together with Rotary generally.

Asked how he felt about the recognition, Philip responded: “It was both a surprise and honour,” adding “from the early days of formation [of Sunrise], to being a member for some years, it has been a rewarding pleasure to be able to assist with [a] Soup Kitchen for Sleepouts, building a Santa Float, lighting for special occasions, and other support from my less usual set of skills.” Philip gave a “heartfelt thank you” for the honour. 

Talking about the PHF recognition our own President Stephen Thompson stated: “”It was wonderful to be able to surprise Phil with the award for all his hard work. He has provided Rotary and our Club in particular with a huge amount of support over many years. Whether it is his support of events, organising special occasions, or introducing new members he is always ready to do what is necessary. Only just this evening he has helped us light St Dunstan’s Church .”

*The “sapphire” refers to sapphires embedded in the PHF lapel pin; the first only has a gold surround, for the second there is one sapphire mounted in the gold surround, for the third there are two sapphires in the gold surround and so on up to five, when rubies are mounted. You can read more about Paul Harris Fellowship recognition here
 
Picture: Phlip received the recognition from PP Gill Sissons in front of the lit-up church, watched by members of our Club, Canterbury Sunrise and Forest of Blean as well as ADG Kevin Fielding. Picture credit: Martin Ward/Rotary Club of Canterbury. 
 

Sponsors

ExtraDigital Internet Marketing & Web Design

Get in Touch

The Rotary Club of Canterbury
The club doesn’t have a permanent
meeting venue at present. Please
email the address on the Contact
page for meeting venues and times.

Would you like to become a member of the Rotary Club of Canterbury?