Centenary Dinner Celebrations

The Rotary Club of Taunton celebrated its centenary anniversary with a black-tie dinner at the Taunton Racecourse on 13th December, the original date that the Club was first chartered in 1922.

The impressive guest list included the High Sheriff of Somerset, Jennifer Duke, the Chair of Somerset West and Taunton Council and the Mayor of Taunton. Over 120 guests enjoyed a three-course dinner at the Taunton Racecourse with entertainment from the West Somerset Singers.

Visitors from partner Clubs in Taunton, Massachusetts USA and Lisieux, France with whom the Club has long-standing links flew in especially for the event. The Rotary Club of Taunton was originally founded by the Rotary Club of Weston-Super-Mare and itself went on to create daughter Clubs in Minehead, Wellington, Chard, and Taunton Vale.  Presidents from all these clubs attended.

Commodore David Lewis, current President of the Taunton Club described how the Club had evolved and reflected upon the many contributions made by the 99 Presidents before him and the legacy of the Club’s significant initiatives, amongst which can be included the Musgrove Park League of Friends and successor organisations from the Club’s initial support for the homeless.

Over the years the Club has had a constant focus on the young and President David announced the setting up of ‘Youth Fund’ in honour of a long-standing and recently deceased Rotarian, John Meikle, whose high ideals, commitment and dedication to Taunton and the young reflected the Club’s ambitions to create a further legacy to recognise his lifetime support for the community.

The speaker for the evening Nikki Scott, Vice President of Rotary International also flew in from a busy schedule which takes her around the world, promoting the value of Rotary as a service organisation where members commit to put ‘Service above Self’ and whose vision is to take action to create change across the globe, in communities and in ourselves.

Reflecting on the evening, President David 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.’