‘Rotary in Chichester’ comprises four Rotary Clubs: Chichester Rotary Club, Chichester Priory Rotary Club, Chichester Harbour Rotary Club and Novum Beacon. The organisation and operation of the Cross collections alone is an immense task involving liaison between all four Rotary Clubs, various charities, local choirs, and Chichester District Council (CDC) on planning, scheduling, licensing, opening and closing, and banking. This task has been brilliantly done by Jo Evans for several years now.
‘Rotary in Chichester’ at Christmas at the Cross and the Rotary Tree of Goodwill extend much further than simply the collections as they bring the message and magic of Christmas to all. As Chichester Business Improvement District (BID) has commented: “Christmas in Chichester wouldn’t be the same without Rotary”. The Blessing of the Christmas Tree by the Dean, with a light switch on followed by the singing of carols by the Christmas Carollers accompanied by the Chichester City Band, got the Rotary Christmas celebrations underway. The Rotary Tree of Goodwill at the Cross was central to December's festivities, with over 20 choirs performing and Father Christmas entertaining children of all ages.
The weather wasn’t always kind but the warm generosity of everyone wasn’t dampened.
Richard Plowman on behalf of ‘Rotary in Chichester’
1. Contributed
'Rotary in Chichester' volunteer collectors at The Cross Photo: Submitted
2. Contributed
Adult Chichester carollers performing at The Cross Photo: Submitted
3. Contributed
Junior Chichester carollers performing at The Cross Photo: Submitted
4. Contributed
Meeting Father Christmas! Photo: Submitted