A ROTARY club in Oswestry says its members have carried out just short of 1,000 hours of voluntary work in the last 12 months.

Oswestry Cambrian Rotary, like all other clubs across the world, starts its new year each July 1, and has been conducting a review of its activities over that time.

A club spokesman said they were very proud of the work carried this year, especially during the pandemic, when they supported a number of groups.

They said: "A review of a very difficult year and despite the pandemic, the Oswestry Cambrian Rotary members still managed to serve its community to the tune of nearly 950 hours of voluntary work.

"The biggest time investment by far was support given by a small team of members at the vaccination hub at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital in Gobowen over several months.

"This was closely followed by the operation of the Christmas Sleigh at their static sites outside supermarkets and around the streets of Oswestry, Whittington, St Martins, Gobowen and West Felton.

"This was a difficult decision in the circumstance but as a club they felt it was important to try and give the children some sort of “normality” and to herald in the Christmas period by letting them see Father Christmas.

"Other work has included, litter picking, weeding and gardening at the Snowflake Garden at Hope House and Whittington Castle.

"We also did some garden clearance for a housing association, hedge planting with the council at the Oswestry Cemetery, plus raising funds through our bric-a-brac stall in Bailey Street where many of you may have had chance to speak to members.

"Despite the pandemic, membership numbers have remained stable, indeed they will soon be adding three new members and hope to see a further increase in the months ahead."

Cambrian Rotary have cautiously started face-to-face meetings and are investing in technology to enable these meetings to have the addition of Zoom participants.

This then means that members on holidays or away at work, speakers or indeed anyone from around the world can join in the weekly meetings.

They normally meet at The Wynnstay Hotel, Church Street, Oswestry on Thursday evenings at 7.45pm and meet in the bar.

For more information on what their new style of Rotary has to offer contact Mike Lade on 01691 570917, info@oswestrycambrianrc.co.uk or see www.oswestrycambrianrc.co.uk