Visitors Welcome

We meet in the Dodington Lodge Hotel every 1st & 3rd Tuesday evening at 6:30pm for Dinner, every 2nd and 4th Tuesday at 12:45pm for lunch, and if there's a 5th Tuesday, we meet at 7:00am for Breakfast. Visitors are welcome.

The History of Whitchurch Rotary Club

The Founding | Wartime | After 1945 | The 21st Century | Club Organisation

Community Services | International | Membership | Foundation

Community and Vocational Services
Service to the local community has always been in the forefront of the Whitchurch club's planning.
Christmas Activities
Christmas food parcels, and occasional supplies of coal and logs, from Rotary, commenced in 1957 until about 1963. Since 1964, Christmas lunches have been prepared, served and delivered by Whitchurch Rotarians annually. Earlier in 1957 meals were delivered by Rotarians, but purchased from Mr Harry Keeling at the Victoria Hotel (now Red Lyon), and in 1963 from Mrs Bet. Farr at the old Mount Hotel, with 23 provided at 7s 6d. each. However in 1964, past treasurer, with 38 years service, the late Vic Foster and his wife Daisy undertook to prepare and cook the dinners from their home and then the Church House. In 1970 Rot'n Jack Absolon aided by pp Edgar Vickers, took over this task, from 1976 at the United Dairies, the Civic Centre, then Sir John Talbot's school and from 2001 at Whitchurch Rugby and Hockey Club's kitchens, then back to the school with about 120 lunches prepared and distributed annually, with Rotarian Nick Williams and his wife Rosaline chefs-in-charge until 2007.

Santa's Float
Charity Funding is derived hugely from the annual 15/16 day (in 2007 22 day), Father Christmas float instituted in 1975 by pp Vin Bradbury. The 1st Float raised £ 482, in 1990 £2332, 2000 £3910, 2004 £5000 and in 2005, 2006 and 2007 annually well over £6000. In the 33 years of its journeys the float has totalled over £ 81,000. A magnificent tribute to the enthusiastic and generous support of Whitchurch and District for this Yuletide favourite. In Xmas 2004 senior vice president David Pritchard-Jones initiated the refurbishment of the float and in 2005 a 'one-off lucrative Saturday night pub collection.

Telephone Helplines
The Whitchurch Rotary Club provide emergency telephone instruments free of charge to disabled or elderly who may otherwise have difficulty in meeting the cost of a new unit. These are installed by a Club member and are financed by voluntary donations from the users at the time of installation. This unique scheme was started in 1980 by the late Past. Presdt. George Harris, then nearly 70 (and still installing phones at the age of 90). Now continued by Past. Presdt. Roly Wyatt, Don Pearce and Greg Watson.In 2007, there are more than 150 of these telephones in use in Whitchurch and district. The units remain the property of Rotary and when they are no longer required become available for issue to another applicant. The funds are constantly used to provide additional units and to replace those which become defective.

Other Community Projects
Other projects have included Spring and Autumn coach and car outings for the infirm and elderly, and a car service to local and regional hospitals and churches. Provision of a radio operated hearing aid and assistance towards a dialysis unit for local individuals. There are many examples of continuous community service over the years plus many deeds performed on an individual basis and unrecorded - RYLA Youth Camp. Blackpool holidays, canal trips and swimming for the disadvantaged, support for local projects, new swimming pool, church fabric, Millennium floral decorative standard, educational and sporting awards, resuscitation equipment for local doctors, cutting equipment for local Fire Service, air ambulance and first response, local community hospitals, hospices, Children of Chernobyl Trust, Macmillan nurses, Break Through Breast Cancer, R.N.L.I., Nightingale Nurses, Heart Foundation etc., - the list is endless.

May Concert
Started in 1974, but is now a two night entertainment provided each May, by local artistes for 800 disabled or elderly folk, transported to Whitchurch Civic Centre by car, coach and other transport and master minded for over twenty years by past president John Bellis, and since 2004 compered by David Hewitt, with Peter Howe assisting with the programme.

Other Concerts
We have an occasional fund raiser in conjunction with the Whitchurch Town Band and Male Voice Choir. A concert with the Froncysllte Male Voice Choir is a recent popular venture.

Vocational (Now part of Community Services)
This committee encourages high ethical standards in business and professions and the recognition of all useful occupations. The least tangible aspect of Rotary but nevertheless worthwhile and challenging. In this respect mock job interview panels are provided at local schools and Rotarians assist with pupils with learning difficulties etc. Youngsters are encouraged to enter various district competitions with Whitchurch entrants experiencing significant success, particularly in the young innovators. Practical assistance is given to many local youngsters seeking help to do overseas work such as VSO etc.
Local Rotarians steward the local Safety Scene Exhibition in conjunction with the local police and also provide funding as required. P. P Greg Watson is its past chairman and attendance officer. Along with Roly Wyatt, Greg Watson is one of the few Whitchurch Rotarians who have held District Office, as Protection Officer. He has recently been elected an Assistant District Governor for 2009/10.
Achievement and music awards are made annually to pupils at local schools and an annual canal trip outing is provided to local handicapped children and people, with funding to a disadvantaged school for overseas trips.