Rotary Club of Ascot

PRESS RELEASE –8^th June 2007

Press officer: Alan Penny ar.penny@btinternet.com

Royal launch for Rotary Clubs Dragon Boat

Rotary Club of Ascot Vice President, Ian Valentine, and Past President Alan Penny were among the guests at the Longridge Water Centre near Marlow on Tuesday 5th June for the launch a new dragon boat, which has been funded by local Rotary Clubs. HRH the Earl of Wessex (Prince Edward) was present to see the first voyage of the new boat, and to open new facilities at the Centre.

The new boat, appropriately named ‘Rotary’, will permit the Centre to run dragon boat activities both for youngsters and corporate users to raise much need funds to finalise the purchase of the site.

Dragon boats provide rowing facilities for 20 enthusiastic youngsters plus a position at the bow for a youngster to beat out the time.

In the week before the launch of the boat, the Rotary Club of Ascot was delighted to welcome Amanda Foister, Longridge’s Chief Fundraiser to their regular weekly meeting. Amanda gave a detailed view on the measures being pursued by Longridge to secure the Centre’s future.

The Rotary Club of Ascot along with other ‘Borough Clubs’ have come together to purchase the brand new fibreglass hulled dragon boat to complement the one already owned by the Centre. Past-President Alan Penny said “Joining together like this has enabled the local Rotary Clubs to achieve far more than they could do on their own.” The new Dragon Boat cost £6,500 which was entirely contributed by the local Rotary Clubs.