A benchmark for the future of Rotary Club (From Warrington Guardian)

A benchmark for the future of Rotary Club

FROM humble beginnings the Rotary Movement - which now has 1.2 million members worldwide - is celebrating its 100 birthday today, Wednesday.

And to mark the occasion the Rotary Club of Winsford and Middlewich is hoping to have two granite benches placed in both towns.

The Winsford and Middlewich club was founded in 1948 with 25 members attending its first meeting.

It originally met at lunchtime at the Wheatsheaf Hotel, Over Square, and Peter Heaton, surveyor to the urban district council was the founder president.

As well as other council officials, members included proprietors of various businesses in Winsford - a doctor, the managing director of the Palace Cinema and a manager from the ICI Salt Mine.

Meetings were held weekly but members had the option to visit other clubs instead.

The present president of the club is local businessman Mike Shiels, who has thanked the people of Winsford and Middlewich for all their support.

He said: "Through the generosity of the people of Winsford and Middlewich, the club has been able to support many good causes both locally and internationally.

"We have supported many local schools with prizes, trips to the seaside and pantomime for special needs units and with the Life Education Programme."

Activities during the year have included the Winsford bonfire and firework display, Christmas Santa float and the festival of carols at Winsford Civic Hall.

In Middlewich, the club has planted daffodil bulbs at several sites around the town, sponsored the planter on the Town Bridge and has participated in both the Middlewich Boat Festival and the Roman Weekend.

Donations have also been made to many charities in Winsford and Middlewich including St Luke's Hospice, Middlewich Age Concern, St John's Ambulance and Middlewich Cricket Club.