About Us

Rotary in Letchworth

In its early years, Letchworth Rotary Club was regarded as a model club because of its genuine and demonstrable commitment to Rotary aims and values. Today it can still lay claim to that distinction. Since its formation in 1924 it has helped thousands of causes both here and abroad.

The Club meets weekly in the splendid setting 
of the Broadway Hotel.

Now known as The Rotary Club of Letchworth Garden City, the club has been at the centre of community life for 75 years, not only pursuing its own aims and values but also encouraging others to put "service before self". In 1951 the club formed an Inner Wheel Club for wives of its thriving membership and two years later helped establish a "sister" Rotary Club in neighbouring Baldock.

The demands of a growing membership promoted the formation of a "daughter" club - The Rotary Club of Letchworth Howard - in 1975. Soon after that a Rotaract Club was established for young men and women between the ages of 18 and 30.

Some examples of how The Rotary Club of Letchworth Garden City is helping the local and wider community:

Local
Highlight of the club fundraising year is the Letchworth Garden City 15 - a 15-mile sponsored walk round the perimeter of the town. The event is organised by the club with walkers raising money for their own causes and for Rotary-supported charities. More than 100 organisations have taken part in the walks which have raised in excess of £250,000 over an 18-year period. Other activities include assisting with the annual Christmas charity grotto and helping with the Poppy Appeal. A group of members recently created a new woodland area in the adjacent village of Willian.

National
Kids Out is a national Rotary project supported by Littlewoods. Each year our Rotarians provide the transport for disadvantaged local children to enjoy a day out at Whipsnade Wild Animal Park and, more recently, Wimpole Home Farm.

International
One of the biggest international Rotary projects has been Polio Plus, a scheme aimed at eradicating polio throughout the world. Our members have supported this and other projects with funds, even to the extent of sponsoring eye camps in India, through an organisation called Sight Savers. Working with other local groups, the club has also supplied Aquaboxes of essential supplies to disaster areas around the world.

Education
Education is a high priority and the Rotary Foundation sponsors various schemes aimed at fostering international goodwill. Club members regularly act as host counsellors for Ambassadorial scholars who come to this country to study at Cambridge University. Visitors on the Group Study Exchange Programme, which enables professional men and women to study business practices and life in another country, are often hosted by the club. Applications for both these programmes can be made by local graduates and business professionals through the club.