According to Club President Chris Ball BEM
Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million friends, neighbours and business and community leaders who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – in our communities and across the world.
Chertsey Rotary are a mix of retired and employed local businessmen and women including sole proprietor tradesmen, boat builder, solicitor, and health care professionals. In 1996, 50 years after being founded, we voted in favour of dual-gender membership. It then took a further 25 years for our first female member to be inducted in January 2017 and she is our President-elect for 2021.
Joining Rotary brings together like-minded professionals. Rotary values are all about going above and beyond to support those in need – “People of Action”. The Rotary motto is “Service Above Self” and no one has personified this better than March Rotary Club, fellow Rotarian, Captain Sir Thomas Moore. The Club has also been honoured by Her Majesty with British Empire Medals being awarded to three members for “Services to Chertsey”.
The Club is noted for organising the annual Black Cherry Fair on Abbey Fields with an accompanying Procession through the town centre on the second Saturday in July. The Fair, normally attracts over 10,000 visitors and over 100 stalls together with a Fairground. This year due to COVID-19, we had a virtual Fair from its website over the whole of July. Proceeds from which will be distributed to local charities who would normally fund-raise at the Fair.
Each fortnight before Christmas, the Club’s Santa’s Sleigh with Rudolph is seen touring Chertsey and parts of Addlestone and New Haw collecting money for good causes. This tradition goes back over 60 years although the first mobile featured a Christmas Tree! Today’s Rudolph is a reincarnation of the one that was destroyed in 2002. Over the years the Club has supported many local charities and projects at St Peters Hospital particularly the neo-natal unit; the Chertsey Health Centre, local schools and the Scouts.
The Club accepts new members by invitation. Prospective members can contact the Club via our Secretary on 01483 766648 or by email ianhunter@chertseyrotary.org. The Club will then assign you a member sponsor to discuss your interest and how best to proceed. After a successful introduction the Club would normally recommend a 6-month Associate Membership before considering full membership. This allows both parties to get to know each other. Why not make that call?
Dr Brian Perry BEM