Win £100 – You can get your £1 Duck Race tickets here

Ready, set, quack! Bramall Hall will once again be flooded with decorated ducks for the Bramhall & Woodford Rotary Club’s charity duck race.

The Duck Race and Family Fun Day will take place on Sunday May 18 in aid of Francis House Children’s Hospice and other good causes. Families flocking to Bramhall Park will experience a raft of watery races starting at 11am and continuing throughout the day until 4pm.

As one of the biggest non-commercial events in the Stockport area the event last year attracted more than 11,000 people. There will be 12 duck races throughout the day comprising 5 races of one thousand ducks in each race plus 7 Giant Duck races of elaborately decorated ducks sponsored by local businesses.

Lesley Buckley President of Bramhall & Woodford Rotary said: “Our annual Duck Race and Family Fun Day is one of the biggest family festivals on the Bramhall calendar where volunteers from all over the borough come out to help. It is humbling and heartwarming to see community come together and having Francis House as our main supported charity will resonate with many. I had the pleasure of visiting the Hospice on the open day, to say I was impressed would not justify it, what a wonderful place full of hope and caring staff.”

Entertainment is being provided in three areas with steel bands, singers and dance groups showcasing their talents to the public along. Adding to the family-friendly atmosphere are fairground rides, bouncy castles, approximately 60 craft stalls, ice cream vans and dozens of food vendors.

Sponsors of the Duck Race and Family Fun Day are Leighton Snow Estate Agents and Vernon Building Society. Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council and Strawberry Radio are also supporting the event.

What’s been happening at your Rotary club?

Just look at our programme and if you like the look of something then contact us to arrange a visit – no need to join or make any commitment. You will be welcomed and if you like it then come again!

Wednesday 16 April – A wine tasting by Sarah Ball

Wednesday 9 April – A talk on ‘Blood Bikes’.

Wednesday 2 April – Committee Night

Wednesday 26 March – A talk on St Anne’s Hospice by Heather Bennett

Wednesday 19th March – An Indian Adventure at Notcutts Garden Centre

Wednesday 12 March – Committees

Friday 7 March – Presidents Night. Twenty nine members, friends and guests celebrated this major event in the Club’s year at Bramhall Park Golf Club

Wednesday 26 February – A Games Evening. This evening packed with fun and laughter took place at The Board Games Cafe in Bramhall.

Wednesday 19 February – Multiple Sclerosis. A talk by Stockport M.S. Society

Wednesday 12 February – Hearing Dogs. A talk, with dogs, on the valuable work dogs do in helping the deaf.

Wed 5 February – Committees

Wed 29 January – Float teams quiz – won by Beacon Counsellimg

Fri 24 January – CHADS – Agathie Christie

Wednesday 15 January – Artificial Intelligence. Penny Silver gave a very interesting talk on A.I. and its amazing uses.

Wednesday 8 January – Committees. We also inducted our newest member, Sadhna.

Friday 13 December – The Club’s annual Xmas Party, held at Bramhall Park Golf Club

Wednesday 4 December – Committees & EGM. The work carried out by each committee was discussed and and a review of the year and all the Clubs many activities both charitable and social. New member Annabel was inducted by President Lesley.

Wednesday 29 November – A very pleasant meal out at Amans in Bramhall

Wednesday 20 November – ‘Global Sight Solutions’ – A very interesting talk by Gwynedd Millard on this charity. They are working with communities in India, Africa and other parts of the world, to establish financially independent and sustainable eye hospitals, with over 70 so far. Their motto is “The vision to end avoidable blindness”. We were joined by 11 Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Glossop.

Wednesday 12 November – Fashion show at Crown and Conspirator, clothes by Crissan and What Lyes Beneath. A great evening raising funds for hearing dogs.

Wed 6 November – Committee Night. The Clubs Committees outlined their current and future plans in a very interesting meeting. The highlight was the induction of our newest member Liz, shown below receiving her Rotary pin from President Lesley.

Wed 30 October – No official meeting, being a ‘fifth Wednesday’ so we had a social evening at Trunk restaurant in Bramhall. Fifteen members and friends had an enjoyable Tapas meal together.

Wed 23 October – ‘Varanasi’ – an inspiring talk by our member Archana about a school that her family have been closely involved with for several generations. The school is for boys who are blind or have major sight problems. Archana also told us about Varanasi, a historic town in India where we hope to have a Club visit.

Wed 16 October – ‘Charter Night’ – the Club’s Birthday Party. A lovely evening held at the Crown & Conspirator in Bramhall. The Charter was read, as is the custom, by our newest member, Mike Brown. See below (The Charter held by our President, Lesley)

Wed 9 October – Talk on Varanasi postponed due to technical AV issue at the venue. Now planned for 23 October. Venue to be arranged. Instead we had a very sociable evening – ‘Talking Tables’ where we discused ideas for future Club activities..

Wed 2 October – ‘Committees’

Wed 25 September – ‘Internet Fraud’ – A talk by Peter Crossen, a financial crimes analyst. A wide ranging, interesting and very informative talk that covered financial crime, whose at risk, hacking, what to look out for and tips on password protection

Wed 18 Sept – ‘Stockport Homes’. A talk by Wayne Hurst on social housing and the provision of furniture and white goods

Wed 11 September – Crown Green Bowling – 19 members and friends gathered at Cheadle Sports Club. An excellent meal served afterwards and good company was enjoyed by all.

Wed 4 September – Committees

Wed 28 August – 18 members, prospective members and friends met at the Bollington Marina and in two narrowboats cruised along the canal and enjoyed an excellent buffet onboard.

Wed 21 August – A very interesting talk by Paul Cramer on the history of Stockport and Bramhall in the 17th Century. A number of maps were shown on the big screen which allowed us to see the huge changes that have taken place and gave an insight into the wealthy families that controlled the area.

Wed 14 August – Richard (one of our members) told us about the evidence based benefits of yoga and then we all experienced a 20 minute session led by Dr Divya Rajani. One of the best attended meetings in a long time.

Wed 7 August – committees

Wed 24 July – An informal “chat” with lots of good ideas and induction of a new member

Wed 17 July – 22 of us and our friends and 2 dogs went for a walk from and to The Boar’s Head and then enjoyed good food, good drink and good company. Great fun.

Wed 10 July – Jo Lowe gave a very informative talk about the NW air ambulance.

Wed 3 July – Committees

Sun 30 June – President Pat’s farewell garden party

Wed 26 June – Club assembly and handover. New President (Lesley) and new Treasurer (Lynn) for new Rotary Year

Wed 19 June – Caribbean cruise evening

Wed 12 June – Jeanette Carlow – Stockport Without Abuse

Wed 5 June – Committees

Wed 29 May – Although no official meeting a group had a great meal and a fun time at Amici in Bramhall village square.

Wed 22 May – Duck Race debrief – it was a great day, but there are things we can do better next time

Sun 19th May – Duck Race and Family Fun Day

Wed 15th May – Duck Race Briefing. Such a huge event needs lots of planning!

Wed 8 May – A casual social chit chat

Wed 1 May – Committees and AGM. Lots of planning going on re duck race, Caribbean evening and more.

Fri 26 to Sun 28 April – A group went to the District Conference in Llandudno

Wed 24 April – John Hancock – Macclesfield Ukrainian Aid
John and Anne gave an inspiring presentation about the incredible work they do getting aid delivered to Ukraine

Thu 18 April – visit to AVRO Heritage Museum

Wed 10 April – Jonathan Billings- Engage, Grow, Go Charity     

Wed 3 April – Committees

Wed 27 March – Harry and Richard gave an illustrated talk of the club’s recent visit to Uganda.

Wed 20 March – The Spring Fashion Show at Notcutts. All the models below are members of the Rotary Club!

Wed 13 March – Committees – fashion show, duck race, fiesta etc

Friday 8 March – President’s Night at the Pinewood Hotel. Great fun with an 18 piece jazz/swing band.

Wed 28 February – David Roche gave a presentation on technology for hearing loss. Amazing developments taking place.

Wed 21 February – Our wine expert, Sarah, led a hugely enjoyable tasting.

Wed 14 February – Peter Wilkins spoke about his life as a person Blind Since Birth. A very impressive and positive man!

Wed 7 February – Committees. Spring fashion show and more. It was farewell to Peter who is moving to Devon and happy 90th birthday to John, one of our founder members.

Fri 26 January – Theatre evening at CHADS.

Wed 24 January – The annual quiz for the collecting groups who went out with Santa’s float. The Mill won!

Wed 17 January – Prof Stephen Preece told us about new thinking and treatment for chronic musculoskeletal pain. A super presentation relevant to many of us!

Wed 10 January – A team from Hazel Grove High School rehearsed their Youth Speaks entry. A joy to see young adults so knowledgeable and enthusiastic.

Wed 3 January 2024 – Committees. Wine tasting, fashion show, Easter Bunny, trip to Uganda and more.

new year. COVID safe theatre evening, scarecrow festival, international concert etc.

For older activities see here