Learning how and what to cook when you’re young is really worth thinking about.

The Young Chef Award was developed in 2017 by The Food Teacher team, here in Hertfordshire and aims to improve long-term health by educating children about food and nutrition.

The awards have been running across Welwyn Hatfield schools for the last five years and naturally enough WGC Rotary has been interested! Just the sort of thing we’re happy to support!

Sixty children completed the award this year, which is closely mapped to the school curriculum. The schools then sent finalists to recreate their menu for a team of judges at Ridgeway Academy on Wednesday, June 26.

Aditi, age 10, from St Michael's Woolmer Green VA C of E Primary School, won the Welwyn Hatfield Young Chef of 2024 and Rotarians were there to help celebrate.

And here’s the thing. As a Rotarian you get to meet so many wonderful people doing worthwhile things. The funds we raise help to provide some of the things that make a difference and enrich the quality of lives.

A fine example of how we raise the money to support so many needy causes happened at the weekend.

‘Jazz on the Island’, our charity picnic concert, took place on Saturday evening in the beautiful garden of 13 Lemsford Village so kindly offered by Edna Stephens - such a lovely lady to whom we are most grateful as we also are to Rotarian Susan Forrow, instrumental in organising the event.

It was a case of would it happen or wouldn’t it? Rain, rain, rain made it look unlikely, But the clouds thinned and we were off! Rainbow and all!

To accompany the clinking of wine glasses and gentle grazing we were treated to the pleasurable delights of The St Albans U3A Jazz Band, solo vocalist Adam Beckman and The Gershwin Gang, a trio playing the memorable melodies of the Gershwin era. Food for the soul!

£2784 was raised and going not only to our Rotary charities but in particular to Hertfordshire Admiral Nurses.

Thanks, as always, go to you the public, who on this occasion, sacrificed the football and braved the weather to come to support us. We really do appreciate it.

As usual such happenings can only take place when a dedicated team roll up their sleeves and make things happen.

Should you want to take a more active interest in the club do get in touch www.welwyngcrotary.org.uk or drop into Campus West where some of us meet at 11.00am on the third Tuesday of each month, come and talk to us.

Alternatively come and chat when you see us about town. New faces are always welcome and offer fresh viewpoints.