Rotarians from Leytonstone and Woodford have maintained a green-fingered tradition to mark World Polio Day.

Rotary International began its fight against polio in 1979 and in 1985 launched PolioPlus, the first and largest internationally coordinated private-sector support of a public health initiative.

World Polio Day was established by the organisation to celebrate the American researcher Jonas Salk who, in 1955, led the first team to develop a vaccine against polio.

Since 2015 the Leytonstone and Woodford club has marked World Polio Day on October 24 by planting crocus corms on the central reservation in Broadmead Road.

This year 1400 crocus corns were planted, with members of the 18th Epping Forest South cub group also offering a helping hand.

Club members, partners and guests gathered for a celebratory lunch at the Fox and Hounds, Hunsdon, to mark the retirement from Rotary of two long-serving members.

Alan Burney and Ted Wilsher have given a combined 74 years of service to the organisation.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Ted Wilsher, Alan Burney (seated) and immediate past President Peter Jaques

The President’s annual charity golf day was held in aid of the East London RaceRunning and raised almost £2,000.

RaceRunning is a relatively new sport for children, young people and adults who cannot run independently and rely on support aids for mobility and balance.

The RaceRunner is a three-wheeled frame which supports the athlete’s body, enabling the person to propel the frame with their feet and steer using their hands.

Club members were invited to visit St John’s special needs school following a fundraising initiative.

Money raised by the club is being used for a project to teach children gardening as well as growing their own vegetables.

St John’s is a special school for those aged between five and 19 who have moderate to severe learning difficulties, autistic spectrum disorder and speech, language and communication difficulties.

Members also visited the Lambourne Centre after it received funding from the Leytonstone and Woodford club.

The centre is principally used to bring together young people to enjoy and be challenged by outdoor activities. It provides zip wiring, rope climbing, kayaking, wall climbing and archery as well as having farm animals and bee keeping.

Children are taught practical farming and gardening techniques as well as conservation work.

Less able youngsters are also able to enjoy nearly all of the facilities thanks to adaptations, varied access and special supports.

Over time the club has funded the building of goat shelters, the construction of a good home for Hector the giant tortoise as well as hives for honey bees.

The club is currently holding a mix of meetings on Zoom and in restaurants, pending the return to the Convent, Chigwell.

Speakers have included Ted Grad on bee keeping, Stephen Wells on the story of music halls and a number of Rotary Global scholars have visited a club meeting or joined on Zoom.

To find out more about the club, visit www.rotaryleytonstonewoodford.org or call Esther on 020 3597 2921.