Monday 7th May
It's finally arrived - RWHS week. Today is an easy day or should be but causes me the most stress when really it shouldn't. Its picking up Passes day. I arrived on Site about 1030 made my way to the xxx, I had my ID and went in and 10 minutes later all good. No problems - pack as it should have been - all the passes. 

Tuesday 8th May 
Back on site at 11am to set up. I had arranged to meet up with Dennis who runs Shop and Drop. Once I had done as much as I could I then checked in with the organisers. After a meeting I was then back at the tent to finish the set up. At 3pm I finally left site. 

Wednesday 9th May
I got up and arrived on site at 0650. I had to drop off a few more items and at that time I was allowed to park on site, which helps. Just after 0700 I was liaising with the organisers and got all of the information which we should require over the week. We were now fully set up and all right to go. I then finished the setting up of the tent. 

I went for a wander and found myself by the Copper Horse arena I could see a “pack of Press” clearly concentrating on someone so I thought I would have a look myself. Well I could see several suited and booted and definitely some security but could not see anyone else. I spotted one of the organisers and said to them who are we supposed to be spotting in that area. They gave me the eye which implied, 'was I really asking that question'. 
Her Majesty The Queen was the reply, I looked again and there she was, in casual clothing which is why I probably hadn't spotted her. Ah yes of course, obvious now. This shows how tired I am and truthfully it is only day 1. 
Bendicks are here again and like last year they have agreed to donate all of their collected silver foil to our Rotary Club.

George (the friendly dragon [costume]) has been brought over. He is not happy at the moment and has decided to hide himself under one of the tables. We have made the decision to leave him whilst he is this foul mood until the weekend. He snorts every so often, not sure what has upset him so much.

The weather should be fine all week and I am looking forward to a glorious week at RWHS 2018.

To mark the 90th birthday of HM The Queen on 21st April we were invited by Datchet Parish Council to participate in the Beacon lighting ceremony on the Village Green. It was a most excellent evening for all concerned and a most successful Datchet community event.

We were delighted to receive the following Thank-You from Cllr Fitzgerald.

Our annual quiz attracted 68 people and raised £743 for Rotary charities. With a fish/chicken and chips supper from the local chippy, a well stocked bar and a raffle - what more could you want? Great job!

As every year during the month of August, the Governor of the Castle graciously allows his personal garden, the Moat Garden, to be opened to the general public.

This special opening only occurs during the weekends (Fridays and Bank holiday included) and for a £2 entrance fee, visitors can enjoy a green oasis within the castle walls.

The money raised is donated to local Windsor charities and the marshalls are all volunteers from local organisations.

Several members of the Rotary Club of Windsor St George will man the Moat Garden this summer, so if you're planning on visiting the castle, don't hesitate to come by and say hello. We'll be happy to tell you more about the Moat Garden while you're there.

On April 23rd we celebrated St George's Day with a black tie dinner at Stirrups Country House Hotel. Our guest speaker this year will be Phil Packer, MBE.


During the evening Phil shared with the audience his passion for the work he does through his charitable organisation the British Inspiration Trust (BRIT) supporting young people who face adversity and as an Ambassador or Patron to a number of charities including The Prince's Trust, the NSPCC, the UK Scouting Association and Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).

After his speech, Phil kindly took questions from the audience, which he answered candidly and unreserved. Attendees appreciated the opportunity to interact with him and learn form his life changing experiences.

The evening concluded with a charity raffle and auction that raised over £ 500 in aide of the British Inspiration Trust.


To learn more about Phil's work, visit his website or the British Inspiration Trust's website.

On the cold Saturday evening of March 1st, 3 Rotarians from Windsor St George (Phil, Gaby and Chris) and one Rotarian from Maidenhead Bridge (Nina), were amongst the 70 odd volunteers to support Bucks Legacy during the lighting of the Paralympic Heritage Flame as part of the international leg of the 2014 Sochi Winter Paralympic Games torch relay.
 
We were invited to participate in the event after our fundraising efforts in aid of Wheelpower last summer, as were many Rotarians from District 1090 as well as other neighbouring districts.
   
It was a great honour for all of us to be involved in such a historical event, which had national and international press coverage.

To learn more about the event, visit the official site of the Paralympic Movement.

To reveal the venue of today's Windsor & Eton Living Advent Calendar visit www.windsorobserver.co.uk/livingadvent and click on today's date just like a true advent calendar. To see Youtube clips of previous performances visit: bit.ly/WindsorLAC2013

President Al (first from the right) represented the Rotary Club of Windsor St George at Windsor's wreath laying ceremony in front of Windor Parish Church. Al joined other local civiv organisations also present at the event, such as the Rotary Club of Windsor & Eton, the Windsor & Eton Inner Wheel, the Lions Club and Rotary International District 1090.

In spite of the huge attendance (>20,000), the fellowship was incredible and they all came back with renewed energy and full of ideas for the new Rotary year. In 2014 the RI Convention will be held in Sydney, will you be going?