WELLINGTON’S newest community group, Wellington District Rotary Club, marked its debut with a highly successful launch party at the newly-refurbished Somerset County Museum. Prince Edward had opened the venue only 48 hours before, so the museum looked shiny and spectacular.
All but one of the 25 founder members of the new club were in attendance, the sole absentee was in hospital unfortunately. Thankfully, and belying the image Rotary still has in some eyes, there was easily as much female charm and glamour on parade as middle-aged men in grey worsted.
Secretary and one of the prime movers behind Wellington District, Symon Jeffery, has written this account of the launch evening.
“What a fantastic evening it was on Wednesday, it was great to see so many founders at the Museum, the evening proved to be a great success not only in our eyes but also the 120 people that attended. (Richard Whiteland, you were missed mate and hope you have received your founder members pack and pin )
“Congratulations to all other founding members who proved themselves to be great ambassadors for Rotary. Thank You letters have gone out to both the caterers and the event organiser as well as the guest speakers. In return, we have received numerous Thanks from visiting Rotarians saying what an enjoyable evening they had, many of whom commented on the wonderful venue.
“A number of the visiting Rotary clubs both before, during and afterwards have presented us with gifts to include official guest books, money to fund a President’s board to be erected at our meeting place and of course our baby bottle from Brue Valley!!! We will of course pass this on when another group in District 1200 reaches the dizzy heights of charter.
“It was great to meet a number of other clubs, in particular Crewkerne District from which 9 people attended. They have a very similar set up to us in Wellington with two clubs, Crewkerne and Crewkerne District. They have a very invigorating and fresh approach and last year they took over a High Street shop for a 6 week period, whereby they sold all sorts of items and made £18,000. This is a club that we should certainly get together with at some point in the future.
“All in all a lovely evening which of course carried on in the pub next door for a good few of our members! Thank you for the drink Nick and Congratulations on your Presidency.”
Most images courtesy David Ross