Christchurch Rotarians honour Christchurch and Highcliffe food festivals founder Mary for community contributions

THE founder of the successful food festivals in Christchurch and Highcliffe, Mary Reader, has been honoured for her outstanding community contributions with one of the Rotary club’s top accolades.

Christchurch Rotary Club’s president Peter Boardman surprised past member Mary by announcing her award of a Paul Harris Fellowship.

Named after the founder of the Rotary movement in Chicago in 1905, the fellowship is awarded to Rotarians who have provided outstanding service. Very exceptionally, it can also be awarded to non-members who have made a difference to the community.

Peter said: “Mary’s long-standing and continuing commitment to local people, charities, schools and businesses is totally consistent with Rotary objectives, and more than warrants this exceptional award.”

Mary founded the Christchurch Food Festival, first held in 2000, while she was president of the Christchurch Chamber of Trade and Commerce. It had continued as an annual event, raising the profile of the town and bringing pleasure to both residents and visitors.

Ten years ago, Mary was invited to organise a similar event in Highcliffe, and with the support of volunteers founded what has become the annual Highcliffe Food and Arts Festival.

In both festivals Mary had insisted on providing activities for families and children, and had focused on educating children in healthy eating while having fun cooking.

This work had continued outside the festivals through in-school healthy eating activities, carried out by the formation of a registered charity, the Christchurch Food Festival Education Trust.

Over the years, some 15,000 children have had the benefit of hands-on cookery experiences in local schools, and some had gone on to make high-level careers in hospitality.

Five years ago Mary became involved with the Dorset Gardens Trust, and as their schools visitor for Christchurch and East Bournemouth has provided advice and grants to 12 local schools to encourage the children to learn about gardening through direct involvement in each school’s own garden.

Members joined Peter in congratulating Mary, who thanked the club for the recognition.