Thai weather at Rotary’s festival

New Warwick Rotary Club president Michael Swaby and his wife Jill (below) took shelter under a parasol as they took a stroll around Market Place visiting the various stalls which celebrated a fusion of cultures.

Sadly the warmth perhaps also led to a slump in interest in raffle tickets for an exotic Thai holiday for two. Certainly sales of tickets were a third down on last year and many stallholders reported less interest in sampling the delicious food on offer.

“We fear it was just too hot for some people,” said Mr Swaby, who took over as president from Roy Joyner last week.

Even a giant inflatable children’s slide had to be closed for two hours because it was feared it was scorching youngsters.

Volunteers from the Warwick Ambulance Association had to treat two members of the public for heat stroke.

The eventual winner of the holiday raffle was 
Theresa Piper, who was 
visiting the annual festival from her home in Wolverhampton.

Demonstrations of Thai boxing, dancing, cookery and drumming were provided as Buddhists monks chanted and accepted traditional gifts.

Rotary Club spokesman Alan Bailey, who helped organise the event, said: “We had a great time even though the numbers were down due to the very high temperatures.

“Our club has a long association with Thailand and last year was able to help buy a second dialysis machine for use in the north of the country.”

Donations were also made to other groups including scouts from Warwick and Hampton Magna who helped on the day.