Rotary Club of Southport has celebrated 100 years of ‘Service Above Self’ with a glittering Charter Dinner.
The event was held at Hillside Golf Club in Southport with a room packed with Rotarians both from Southport, and also around the country.
The welcome to guests was extended by current President Glenys Critchley and the members of the Rotary Club in Southport.
The Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Rtn Jim Taylor. Grace was said by Rtn Bert Menary before the Loyal Toast was given by Rtn Glenys Critchley, who cut the ceremonial 100th birthday cake alongside Rtn
David Roberts.
Rtn Adrian Fletcher carried out a roll call of clubs, Rtn David Ellis provided the response on behalf of the guests, Rtn Keith Mitchell offered thanks to the guest speaker and Rtn Ian Hitchcock provided the final toast and took photographs of the guests.
Southport Rotarian Keith Mitchell, who has served in Southport Rotary since 1984, said: “It was an extremely successful evening. Everyone really enjoyed themselves.
“To be celebrating 100 years of service to the community in Southport says it all.
“Those that were there felt very proud to be members of a club that has been going for a century.
“Over the years the Club has had a tremendous impact on Southport and around the world with a wide variety of fundraising and community projects.
“The affiliate number for the Rotary Club of Southport is 88, which means it is one of the oldest Rotary clubs in England. Liverpool celebrated their 100th year around eight years ago, while Chester celebrated theirs last year. We have a long and rich history.
“We have 55 members at the moment, most of whom were there on the night, and some of whom have been members of Rotary for many years.
“Norman Fleming for example has been in Southport Rotary for 60 years. He is one of our Paul Harris Fellows. Henry Laycock has been a member for 53 years. Roger Thwaites has been a member for 50 years.
“We have male as well as female members these days, with Glenys Critchley our second lady President.
“Twelve years ago the Rotary Club of Southport decided to make the organisation more inclusive, and it has been a great thing, bringing some really good ideas to what we do. It has been a great help.
“We are always eager to welcome new members. Some new members have just joined through our website, and we are always happy to see more.
“If anyone has a real desire to come and play their part in improving the community, they will love it.”
The Rotary Club of Southport is one of the North West’s most senior clubs.
It was chartered as RIBI Club No.88 on 13th December 1922.
For nearly 100 years, generations of members have been doing their bit to make Paul Harris’s vision of ‘Service Above Self’ a reality.
The 50 or so members of our Club enjoy a varied Rotary experience, with an interesting mixture of service and social events, and an eclectic selection of speakers at Wednesday lunchtime meetings.
Members meet on Zoom for the first meeting of the month, then face to face at the Royal Clifton Hotel in Southport for the following three weeks.
Visitors and new members are always welcome to join.
Please contact Gerry Heaslip on 07890710198 for details or visit The Rotary Club of Southport website.
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