History of the Rotary Club of Warrington
The Rotary Club of Warrington was granted its charter in October 1927. It was initially a lunchtime club. Membership was made up of captains of Industry, Doctors, Clergy and Justices of the Peace. Membership now ranges across all walks of life for individuals who can offer time, commitment and a willingness to help others. Members' average age elsewhere is usually 66 or older, but Warrington is a relatively young club with an average age of around 50 years – one of the lowest in the UK. Surprisingly, Rotary was only opened to women in 1995, and Warrington is proud that it was one of the first dual gender clubs in the country. In 2000, Sandra Brusby was our first female president and this year Norma Hornby is our third.
The main aim of Rotary is to provide help or raise funds to help those less fortunate than ourselves whilst also enjoying ourselves. This can be helping at Disability Awareness Day or running events like the Beer Festival. The “Oktoberfest” is now regarded as the premier beer festival in the area. We hold other fund raising activities each year, and help with other community projects such as The Canal Boat Adventure Project and Santa’s Grotto in Walton Hall. We built and maintain the Wishing Well in Walton Gardens. Varied fund-raising activities enable us to contribute several thousand pounds to local and Rotary charities each year. Anyone who wants to find what Rotary is really about is very welcome to join us for a meal at the Rams Head Inn, Church Lane, Grappenhall on Mondays at 6.00 p.m., and see for themselves that the claim that Rotary is only for old men is nonsense. You will receive a warm welcome.
The Rotary Club of Warrington belongs to District 1280, here are some of the clubs in just this district. Bolton, Bolton Daybreak, Bolton-Le-Moors, Bolton Lever, Turton, Westhoughton, Bury, Bury Irwell Vale, Prestwich & Whitefield, Radcliffe, Ramsbottom, Tottington & Bury West, Frodsham & Helsby, Lymm, Newton & District Jubilee, Newton-Le-Willows, Prescot, Rainhill, Runcorn, St. Helens, Widnes,Chadderton & Failsworth, Crompton & Royton, Heywood, Middleton, Oldham, Oldham Metro, Rochdale, Rochdale Eighty-Six, Rochdale East, Saddleworth, Eccles, Irlam, Salford, Swinton & Pendlebury, Walkden, Worsley, Warrington, Warrington Bridgewater, Ashton-In-Makerfield With Haydock, Astley, Atherton, Hindley, Leigh, Tyldesley, Wigan, Golborne, Douglas, Onchan, Ramsey, Rushen & Western Mann
There are 29 districts in Great Britain and Ireland. There is a lot more to Rotary than you might think!
Rotarians are welcome at all other Rotary Clubs anywhere in the world. You can visit over 31,000 clubs in around 166 countries! Website of Rotary International for Great Britain and Ireland with links to the world - www.ribi.org