SANDOWN ROTARY CLUB CHARTER EVENING

CELEBRATING 85 YEARS OF FELLOWSHIP

Our Club had a most enjoyable evening on 27th September, members welcoming guests and fellow Island Rotarians to join them for an anniversary dinner held at Shanklin Conservative Club. Honoured guests in attendance were District Governor Caroline Millman and High Sheriff Susie Sheldon, and after a splendid meal, speeches and a special toast President Dorothy Dye thanked everyone for making our celebration such a memorable event.

For our more senior members and those that enjoy a little nostalgia we note from the archives of the Isle of Wight County Press that in March 1926 a meeting was held at the Royal Pier Hotel at which there was a unanimous decision to form a Rotary Club for Sandown . Mr W J Board (Chairman of District Council) presided and the objects of Rotary were ably explained by Rotarian C E Smith (District Secretary of Portsmouth), his advocacy of the movement being supplemented by remarks of Rotarian L Jordon (President-Elect of Newport Club) and Rotarian H Luker (Secretary of Ryde Club). The resolution for the formation of a Rotary Club in Sandown was moved by Mr D Crawford and seconded by Rotarian A Hollis, and a small committee was appointed to carry through the preliminaries.

Rotary's motto prevails to this day "Service above Self" - no idle phrase but one that represents an attitude to life, our members using their particular talents to practice that philosophy. Combined with friendship and fun, we make a difference in our community!