WHO WE ARE


OUR HISTORY

The Rotary Club of Chichester Harbour (RCCH) was accepted into Rotary International (RI) and Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland (Rotary GB&I) in February 1998, becoming the first dual-gender Rotary club in the city of Chichester. At its inception, RCCH started with 29 members – 14 male and 15 female – and became Chichester’s first Rotary breakfast club, complementing the city’s other two Rotary clubs: the ‘Chichester Club’, a lunchtime club, and ‘Chichester Priory’, which holds evening meetings.

RCCH’s success is self-evident today. Eight of the original members are still active within the club. Twenty years later the club is still thriving and very active. We have constantly enjoyed a membership with a diverse range of skills who continue to employ their knowledge in delivery of “service before self”. The club has always made a considerable contribution to community needs, both from fundraising and delivery of services to those in need, working with nominated charities. It also has a consistent record of participating in fundraising activities in respect of international emergencies, and supporting local youth opportunities.

Each Xmas we supply over 500 Xmas sacks to those most in need in our local community. 

One notable success has been the appreciable amount of sponsorship money raised by the literally hundreds of cyclists who have participated in the annual Chichester to Chartres cycle ride that is organised and marshalled by RCCH volunteers. During the 10 years that this cycle ride has taken place, a sum in excess of £110,000 has been raised and shared between various local charities and used to fund RCCH’s own charitable activities.

Whilst we’ve stopped cycling to Chartres , we now cycle more locally each Sunday, our main fund raiser each year is our annual Golf Day. In its first 3 we’re over 30000  primarily for 2 local charities Chestnut Tree House Hospice and St Wilfrid’s .

Membership of RCCH has steadily increased over the years, whilst remaining gender-neutral, and as of June 2023 the club had 47 members.The early start (and finish) for breakfast meetings has in the hectic 21st century proved a winning formula for attracting younger members who are currently in employment.

Since its inception in 1997, RCCH has always placed a strong emphasis on the importance of social activity and having fun in encouraging and building a strong, reliable membership contribution. These factors have contributed to the club’s members working successfully together, and are borne out by the club’s excellent results.

WHO WE ARE sub-pages:

ROTARY YOUNG CHEF AWARD 2024

more Hilary’s grandson qualifies for the National Final

OUR LATEST NEW MEMBER

more Mary is our latest new member

STRATFORD ON AVON WEEKEND AWAY 2024

more Members and friends enjoyed a weekend away at the Burnside Hotel in Shottery.

BATTLE OF THE BUSINESSESS

more We took up the challenge and won !!

OUR FIRST 25 YEARS

more A random selection of pictures from our past

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

more We are a very social club, with members participating in a number of annual Rotary events.

OUR HISTORY

more RCCH was formed in 1998 as a breakfast club to complement the existing Rotary clubs in Chichester, namely the 'Chichester Club' who meet at lunchtime and 'Chichester Priory' who are an evening club.

SUNDAY MORNING CYCLING

more Club members and friends enjoy weekly cycle rides starting from The Cross in Chichester.

SUNDAY WALKS

more Each month members of the Club enjoy a Sunday morning ramble.

The team Neil, Ken, Glyn and John, with our 'mascot' Tony

ROTARY DISTRICT DARTS COMPETITION

more The dream is over...!

NEW CLUB MEMBERS

more Three of our Club's most recent recruits - Patrick, Sheila and Roger - with immediate past president Richard, plus our latest new member, Linda.