Party to celebrate sevendecades of fundraising

The Rotary Club of Fareham invited VIPs from across Hampshire to a dinner for the group’s 70th anniversary.

In that time, members have raised £1.5m for good causes in the county.

President of the Rotary Club of Fareham, Norman Chapman, said: ‘We have helped countless charitable causes and disadvantaged citizens together with projects to help those further afield.

‘We have the excellent Wheelhouse facility at Hill Head, donated defibrillators and mobility scooters and supported our community in so many ways throughout our 70 years of service.

‘Those who have benefited from the work of our Rotarians, together with service from many other clubs in the UK and worldwide, have reached areas where national disasters have taken their toll.

‘Our collective aim to end polio provides such positive benefits to international health.’

The dinner, at HMS Collingwood, was attended by HM Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire Sir David Steel, the Mayor of Fareham, Councillor Connie Hockley, Rotary district assistant governor Linda Lawson, and many Rotarians visiting from other clubs.

Mr Chapman added: ‘The guest speaker was Lord Stoneham of Droxford who told guests he was a great believer in civic duty which enhanced communities.

‘And he thanked the members of the Rotary Club of Fareham for the superb service we have carried out in the past 70 years.

‘He urged us to keep up the good work for the next 70 years.’

Cllr Hockley, in her address, commented that the club was instituted long before the Fareham borough itself.

The original Rotary president’s chain of office, bearing the names of the first 50 of the business and community leaders who wore it, is held in the mayor’s parlour.

The club donated the town clock in West Street, new signage for Westbury Manor Museum and members are supporting ongoing projects around the town.