About District 12
Inner Wheel District 12 covers all of Kent, part of East Sussex and some London Boroughs.
We have 16 clubs in the District with roughly 800 members.
Aylesford Bridge (pictured) was built in the 14th century to cross the Medway at Aylesford.The bridge is constructed from Kentish ragstone and formerly had eight pointed arches without ribs. However, in 1824 the two centre arches were replaced by a single arch of 60 feet span. The outer 6 arches are pointed and double-chamfered with stone dressings. Sloping buttresses to piers with cut-waters below on rebuilt concrete foundations, revealed only at low tide. The bridge is Scheduled and Listed Grade I.
District Chairman
District Chairman Pat Brockman
Welcome
So, here I am. I hope those of you who were at the June meeting and AGM enjoyed your special visitor, Margaret Thatcher no less.
I was on my favourite little cruise ship, The Hebridean Princess, and while you were all baking in the heat, I was in the Outer Hebrides where it was 13 degrees and rained most days. The company on the ship was wonderful and included Simon Caulder, the BBC travel correspondent and who is now working for the Telegraph.
I asked for a photo with me, and he did a video for Inner Wheel District 12 which I can’t get off my phone so please come and see me if you would like a quick look.
I was inducted into Inner Wheel 43 years ago and have done all the jobs except I have stayed clear of any treasurer post and Member of Council.
I will tell you all about myself on my visits so will go on to outline my plans for District 12 this year.
The main aim this year is to have lots of fun both at District and club level.
It began with Margaret Thatcher’s visit so a good start.
It is due to continue with the Charity Lunch on the 23rd of September at the Cornwallis Suite in Maidstone.
Something else to keep you interested is my “Chairman Pat’s travels”, It will cost you £1 to have a guess at what mileage I will have done during my year as District Chairman this doesn’t include personal mileage or my trip to Manila.
The member who gets nearest will win half the pot of money for her club’s charity the other half going to Wet Wheels my Charity this year.
I am looking forward to going to The Association Conference in April in Cheltenham and hope many of you will make the trip to join me.
Me and Sue Roots (Crayford & Danson) are jetting off in May to the International Inner Wheel Convention in Manila.
I will be able to be your club’s proxy vote holder. How this is done will come clearer nearer the time.
You can look at the IIW website now to see what the proposals are, and the Association Constitution Chairman and her committee have given guidance on how we might like to vote on these proposals, but it is up to your club to decide how you want to vote.
You can give me your instructions or leave it to my discretion.
It is important that we use our votes especially at the convention.
The Speaker at the October meeting will be from Wet Wheels.
If anyone has any suggestions for other activities or speakers at the Spring meeting, please let me know.
That is me for now, I wish you all a happy and successful year ahead.
Pat Brockman
Social Links
Who we support
Barrier-free boating
Wetwheels is a registered UK charity, giving people of all abilities the chance to experience the sea.
Already taking 11,000 people on the water each year, by 2030 we aspire to expand our fleet to ten boats across the UK — opening the water to thousands more.
Every donation brings us closer to a world where
boating is barrier free.
Wetwheels provides the opportunity for all disabled people, including those with profound and complex disabilities, to access the sea in a safe, stimulating and rewarding way on board specially-built, fully-accessible powerboats.
By offering the opportunity to experience this as active participants we build confidence and improve physical and mental wellbeing.
Registered charity in England and Wales (1148600) and Scotland (SC051304)
Support will also be given to President Pat's chosen charity, Papyrus www.papyrus-uk.org
The International charity remains as Mary's Meals
There is gender inequality in education around the world, but by providing daily meals in school, we remove one hugely significant barrier for girls, giving them opportunities that they otherwise may not have.
DD12
Recycling Information
| Item collected | Donated to which charity | Sent to/taken to/ collected by | What happens to the items | Name of Contact & Address | Is there a limit to quantity received |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium Foil & Cans | Guide Dogs for the Blind | Local Scrap Merchant | Sold to raise funds to support Guide Dog Training for the blind | Guide Dogs for the Blind, Hillfields, Burghfield Common, Reading, Berkshire RG7 3YG Guide Dogs | No |
| Milk Bottle Tops | Christian Aid | Hazel Hedges, 4 Sea Road, Westgate on Sea CT8 8UA | Recycled | Christian Aid, 35-41 Lower Marsh, London SE1 7RL Christian Aid | No |
| Used Stamps | Canine Partners | Margaret Hawkins, 46 Hunting Gate CT7 9JB | Isle of Thanet Sunrise Rotary Club sell with proceeds going to the charity | Canine Partners, Ashby Rd, Osgathorpe, Loughborough LE12 9SR 0345 658 0480 Canine Partners | No |
| Recycled/End of Yarn Wool | Stella Maris | Deacon Fogarty, Stella Maris Charity | Knitted into Hat & Scarf Sets | Stella Maris, 39 Eccleston Square, London SW1V 1BX Stella Maris | No |
District 12 Officers
DISTRICT CHAIRMAN – Pat Brockman (Eastbourne Sovereign)
1st Vice Chairman – Pauline Pybus (Canterbury)
2nd Vice Chairman – TBA
Immediate Past Chairman – Pat Wakeham (Canterbury)
District Secretary – Sheila Cragg (Canterbury)
District Treasurer – Chris Head-Rapson (Sidcup)
Member of Council – Pat Sanford (Gillingham)
District Editor – Shauna King (Tunbridge Wells)
International Service Chairmen – Fran Whelan and Jackie Ingram (Sidcup)
Membership & Development Officer – Christine Davies (Tunbridge Wells)
Assistant Secretary (Events) – Judith (Jude) Magness (Crayford & Danson)
Assistant Secretary (Minutes) – Jacqui Grace (Maidstone)
Email Us
District 12 Events
| Meeting | Date and Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Club Officers Assembly | 15/07/2026, 11:00am | Ditton Community Hall ME20 6QR |
| UN International Day of Peace | 21/09/2026 | Global |
| District Charity Lunch | 23/09/2026 | Masonic Centre, Maidstone |
| Autumn District Meeting | 21/10/2026, 11:00am | Ditton Community Centre |
| International Service Rally | 18/11/2026, 9:00am–3:00pm | Ditton Community Centre |
| Orange the World | 25/11/2026 | Various activities throughout District 12 |
| International IW Day | 10/01/2027 | Global |
| Spring District Meeting | 17/03/2027, 11:00am | Ditton Community Centre |
| Association Conference | 12/04/2027 - 14/04/2027 | Cheltenham Town Hall, Cheltenham |
| District Quiz | 21/04/2027, 1:30pm–4:30pm | Ditton Community Centre |
| IW 20th Convention | 11/05/2027 - 14/05/2027 | Manila, Philippines |
| District Rally | 10/06/2027, 11:00am–3:30pm | Masonic Centre, Maidstone |
| AGM/Summer District Meeting | 23/06/2027, 11:00am | Ditton Community Centre |
Current Clubs
Broadstairs - North Foreland Golf Club CT10 3PU - 2nd Monday 18.00
Bromley - Members Homes - 4th Tuesday 1:30pm
Canterbury - The Lounge, Littlebourne CT15 1ST - 2nd & 4th Tuesday 10.00
Crayford & Danson - Sophie's Choice Restaurant DA15 7AA - 2nd Wednesday 12.30
Deal - Deal Angling Club CT14 6NF - 1st Monday 11.00
Dover - Holiday Inn CT16 3EL - 4th Monday 18.30
Eastbourne Sovereign - Chalk Farm Hotel BN20 9JD - 2nd Monday 11.45
Folkestone - Voco, The Clifton Hotel, Folkestone CT20 2EB - 1st Wednesday 18.15
Gillingham (Kent) - Upchurch River Valley Restaurant & Golf Course ME9 7AY - 2nd & 4th Tuesday 12.00
Gravesend - Christ Church Hall DA12 1NR - 3rd Monday 14.15
Isle of Sheppey - Flying Dutchman, 19 High Street, ME11 5AA - 4th Thursday 19.00
Maidstone - St Lukes Church Hall, Foley Street Maidstone ME14 5BE - 3rd Monday 14.00
Margate - Lesters, 162 Ramsgate Road, CT9 4EZ - 2nd Tuesday 18.00
Sidcup - West Wing Hall, Christchurch, DA14 7HB - 3rd Thursday 19.30
Tunbridge Wells - The Royal Wells Hotel, TN4 8BE - 3rd Wednesday 19.00
Westgate & Birchington - 'The Smugglers’, 212 Canterbury Rd, Birchington, CT7 9AQ - 3rd Thursday 18.30
District 12 latest news
D12 – Eastbourne Sovereign present Banner
Whilst visiting family in Western Australia June Christophi of Eastbourne Sovereign Club contacted the President of the Inner Wheel Club of Swan Valley Inc. A40 Western Australia. June was delighted to pass over a banner from D12 to President Lorraine and they made a...
Conference Prize winners
The Membership & Development Team ran a Jam Jar Raffle in aid of Ronald McDonald House Charities UK. The lucky winners were: Jennifer Angus D4 - Riviera Travel Voucher for £500.00 Jean Hale D1 - Bread Making Cookery Course Susan Spanswick D22 - Betty's Easter...
D12 – Crayford & Danson Soup & Fun Day
Crayford & Danson held their annual Soup & Fun day on the 4th of March and as always there were members from all round District 12. The raffle was in support of the Demelza charity, and we were pleased to welcome Katie Hook one of the fund raisers of the...