On Saturday January 31st about 50 friends of Rainbow celebrated Burn's Night in Wallington Village Hall. The traditional meal including haggis was prepared by Paul & Mark Mortimer of "Amuse Bouche". The haggis was piped into the dining room by David Smith. Before the meal, Charles Gilchrist delivered the formal "address to the haggis",.

Each year the audience is enthralled, not only by the wonderful array of colourful costumes and scenery, but is held spell-bound by the enchanting performances of the children. 2009 was no exception.

Ocean Brass demonstrated their standing as one of the leading local brass bands in a varied concert which included a Christmas Theme. Proceeds went to the Rainbow Centre, although the concert also paid tribute to Tony Hickson, who died in 2009 and was one of the band's founding members.

 

This was the same telescope through which Sir Patrick mapped the moon for NASA back in the 60's in preparation for the first Apollo Landing. It was also used during his days as a consultant for the USSR's space programme.

Tonight the visitors were given an excellent view of Neptune and its four moons, before the telescope was rotated for a look at the Seven Sisters (Pleiades) Star Cluster.

Patrick's "Sky At Night" programme, first broadcast in 1957 is still transmitted, making it the longest running programme with the same host in television history. Patrick has only missed one episode in 50+ years when he suffered food poisoning in 2004!

The evening was rounded off with a congenial meal at a restaurant on the way home.

On Sunday 11th October, the Rotary Club of Romsey Test held its annual Test Way Walk. Walkers were able to choose from a variety of starting points, allowing walks from 2 miles to a full 26 mile marathon to be undertaken for chosen charities.The usual superb organisation provided marshals all along the route, first aid facilities, buses to the drop off points, and emergency rescue for those who needed a bit of help getting back! This year the event has grown to over 600 walkers, with the Rainbow contingent (the largest single group) number over 70! Current sponsorship estimates indicate that our walkers will generate between £10,000 and £15,000. Our thanks go to the Rotary Club of Romsey Test and all our walkers. A special thanks must go to Rainbow supporter Richard Gigg who cajoled over 50 business associates to swell the Rainbow ranks!

Photos .....

The Rainbow Centre is lucky enough to be Portsmouth & Southsea Round Table's chosen charity this year and their annual fundraiser took place in June. It's not clear yet how much money was raised from this event but the Club also has a Race Night planned for 24th October at Seacourt on Hayling Island , the proceeds from which will also be donated to the Centre. If you want tickets get in touch!

 

Following a short EGM at which legal updates to the Memorandum & Articles were agreed, the second annual Rainbow Centre Open Day took place.

Many Rainbow families and friends attended on a warm and sunny September day. Stalls included, face painting, crockery smashing, duck racing and making pots. Guest of Honour was the Mayor of Fareham, Councillor Ruth Godrich. The children enjoyed the bouncy castles, exploring the fire engine and police van that arrived, seeing how bees made honey and participating in the obstacle races! Families enjoyed watching the fathers' race, even though only two were brave enough to participate.

 

During a recent charity auction, Rhianon Lewis, Managing Director of Segenswoth Automobiles bid for a day's sailing for twelve with "Ocean Experience". She then sold places to local businesses and private individuals and gave the profits to the Rainbow Centre. The twelve assembled at Southampton's Ocean Village and proceeded out into the Solent onboard Ocean Experience's 67 foot ocean-going yacht. The stiff breeze made for exciting sailing and the skipper and mate ensured the full participation of all on board. Heaving, winching and helming worked up an appetite for lunch, taken in the relative calm of Osborne Bay. The day was enjoyed by everyone and the Rainbow Centre thanks Rhianon for her continued support.

 

We thank the following companies for their support in buying places: Quayside Associates, Segensworth Automobiles, S A Mason - Electrical Contractors, Proposal Genie, Butlers2go, Creative Clique, Landmark Construction and Ocean Experience for a brilliant day!

On Monday September 1st, Rainbow supporter Andy Milner (fourth from left) set sail from the Royal Clarence Marina, Gosport, with the Round-the World clipper fleet bound for the Humber and the start of the race in mid September. For more details click here ....

 

On Friday August 7th 2009, the doors opened at the latest Rainbow Shop at 25 The Hundred, Romsey.
New manager Beth Rogers and volunteer Ann Clarkson joined Susan Bayford, Chairman of Trustees and Helen Somerset How in welcoming the first customer Sara Barnes who was presented with a celebratory bottle of wine.

New manager Beth Rogers (left) presents first customer Sara Barnes of Romsey, with a bottle of complimentary wine

Apollo Fire Detectors, a Havant-based supporter of the Rainbow Centre arranged a charity football match against a team of Pompey Legends. Despite having a bench of 30 players to call on, the visiting team soon fell behind to the marginally more skilled Portsmouth ex-professionals!

Rolling substitutions frequently enabled the visitors to have up to 13 players on the field, but this failed to stem the tide and a half-time score of 11-0 was probably representative of the difference in class!

Nevertheless, good humour prevailed and the Apollo team will remember for a long time their opportunity to play on premiership turf!

Three charities were supported on the day and an auction of sporting memorabilia helped raise funds.

On Thursday 14th May 2009, the Rainbow Centre's Chairman of Trustees, Mrs Susan Bayford was installed as deputy Mayoress of Fareham at the annual Mayor making Ceremony in Ferneham Hall. Her husband Deputy Mayor Cllr Brian Bayford will become mayor in 2010.

Brian has already stated that the Mayor's Charity during his year in office will be the Rainbow Centre.

 

The Rainbow Centre offers its congratulations to both of them, and wishes them both a happy and successful period in office.

The sun shone down as the Chairman of Trustees, Susan Bayford welcomed the Mayor and Mayoress of Fareham, Councillor Ernest Crouch and his wife Enid. She also welcomed Fareham's Member of Parliament, Mark Hoban and his wife, Fiona, herself one of the Rainbow Patrons. After Susan's welcome address, Helen Somerset How summarised the achievements of the last 3 years, particularly drawing attention to the fact that the number of families attending the centre had doubled.

Helen then introduced our latest patron, Stuart Boreham. Stuart has cerebral palsy but despite his disability succeeded in rowing solo across the Atlantic. Stuart gave a short synopsis and has promised to be the subject of "an evening with Stuart Boreham" later in the year.

According to Julie who went to watch
"It was a lovely day and so there were more crowds than ever out supporting the runners - London was "crammed" and the atmosphere was brilliant. Our 7 runners all felt a huge sense of achievement and are on track to raise in excess of £10,000".
Out thanks to them all for the effort on the day, the hard training hours and their contribution to the Rainbow Centre.