MEMBERS of the Rotary Club of Taunton have celebrated its centenary anniversary with a black-tie dinner at Taunton Racecourse.
The celebration was held on Saturday, December 13 – the same date the club was first chartered in 1922.
Guests included Jennifer Duke, the high sheriff of Somerset, Hazel Prior-Sankey, leader of Somerset West and Taunton Council, and Sue Lees, mayor of Taunton.
Over 120 people enjoyed a three-course dinner with entertainment from the West Somerset Singers, a Taunton-based mixed voice choir.
Visitors from Taunton, Massachusetts and Lisieux, France, flew in especially for the event because of their regions' long-standing ties with the club.
The Rotary Club of Taunton was founded by the Rotary Club of Weston-super-Mare.
It went on to create daughter clubs in Minehead, Wellington, Chard and Taunton Vale. Presidents from all these clubs attended.
Commodore David Lewis, president of the Taunton club, described how it has evolved and reflected on the contributions of the 99 presidents before him.
He also spoke about the legacy of the club's initiatives such as the Musgrove Park League of Friends and organisations linked to the club’s support for the homeless.
Commodore Lewis said: “This was an evening packed with fun and fellowship, highlighting key achievements of the club over the last hundred years and shining the light on the outstanding work that Rotary continues to do around the world.”
At the event, the president announced the creation of a new Youth Fund in honour of long-standing rotarian John Meikle, who died in November 2020 aged 97.
The club wanted to recognise his ideals, commitment and lifelong edication to Taunton and young people.
The speaker for the evening was Nikki Scott, vice-president of Rotary International.
Her speech promoted the Rotary as an organisation where members put “service above self” to create change across the globe and in communities.
Before the centenary dinner, there was a reception for the overseas visitors at the Old Municipal Buildings and a lunch and signing ceremony with the mayor.
A centenary tree was then planted in Vivary Park to commemorate the milestone.
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