Rotarians from Holland hosted by fellow Rotarians from Bury St Edmunds
The Rotarians from Holland and Bury St Edmunds at Depden Care Farm. Photo: Bury St Edmunds Abbey Rotary.
Members of Bury St Edmunds Abbey Rotary have hosted visitors from Tiel Rotary, in Holland, where they were treated to an action-packed weekend.
Arriving by ferry at Harwich, the visitors then had breakfast at a member’s house, meeting several Bury Abbey Rotarians.
It was a chance to catch up with old friends and make some new contacts.
The group of Dutch and British Rotarians then went to Debden Care Farm to help replace some rotten sleepers in the vegetable garden, as well as weeding and feeding the llamas, donkeys and pigs.
They were encouraged and directed by staff member Tom Chapman and chair of the Millennium Trust, Jerry Massey.
After all the hard work, everyone enjoyed a BBQ at the farm.
In the afternoon, the visitors either played padel tennis or had a tour of the Bury St Edmunds Guildhall with a tour guide.
After a fun party on Saturday evening, Sunday gave the visitors a chance to see the bells rung in the Norman Tower.
They then went over to Woodbridge for a guided tour of The National Trust’s Sutton Hoo.
A fascinating visit to the boatshed, the home of the Woodbridge Riverside Trust, enabled the group to see “Sae Wylfing”, a half-size working replica of the Sutton Hoo Anglo-Saxon ship.
After a late afternoon meal with lots of fun and laughter, the Teil Rotarians departed for the ferry home.
Tiel Rotary President Rudolf Rude said: “As part of an annual exchange dating back to 2014 our Rotary club in Tiel visited Bury St. Edmunds to meet fellow Rotarians, exchange ideas and share experiences.
“As well as enjoying the hospitality and culture, we were invited to help at Depden Care Farm, which was a great way to support the local community – a key part of Rotary. We are looking forward to the return visit next year.”
Bury Abbey Rotary President Melanie Lesser added: “Club members all enjoyed showing the visitors the lovely visitor attractions in and around our town.
“It was so good to work on a project together at the farm, which is one of the many local charities we support. I would like to thank all the venues for giving us all such a warm welcome.”