Pages last updated: 7th December 2025

LEEDS ELMETE ROTARY CLUB

We meet  in person at the Bingley Arms, Bardsey,

Leeds LS17 9DR 

every THURSDAY at 12.30pm for a snack lunch.

We also meet by ZOOM on occasion, usually on the 1st TUESDAY of the month, at 7.00pm for a business meeting and possible speaker presentation.

Website: www.leeds-elmete.rotary1040.org

Registered Charity Number 1033420

President Bill, and all the Rotarians of the Leeds Elmete Club

hope you will have a Very Enjoyable Christmas,

and send their Best Wishes for a Happy, Healthy and Peaceful New Year 2026

 Here we all are, with our parteners,

enjoying a splendid Christmas lunch at

the Bingley Arms on 18th December 2025.

OUR CLUB

We are a very small Club of 10 Members (2 Honorary), and all are active Rotarians! Like many Rotary Clubs we are growing old together (our average age is about 80!). We are not in a position to do what we have done in the past, and are unlikely to attract new members. Our resolve is to continue for as long as we can, enjoying fellowship and helping others where and when we can  -  in the true spirit of Rotary: 

“Service above Self”. 

CLUB PRESIDENT 2025-26

Our President for 2025-26 is Rotarian Dr Bill Jones, PHF.

This will be Bill's third time as President, (previously 1995-96 and 2016-17). He joined the Club in September 1988, having arrived in Leeds in 1978 as  Senior Lecturer, University of Leeds, and NHS Consultant Radiotherapist and Oncologist (Cancer Specialist) at Cookridge Hospital - now demolished! Bill retired in 2002 after heart surgery. He has held most offices in the Club apart from Treasurer and was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship by the Club for Services to Rotary in 2010.

Here he is receiving the President's 'Jewel' from the Immediate Past-President, Martyn Phillips on 29th May 2025. 

The Rotary International Theme for this coming year is:

The Club goes on!!

At our meeting on 20th November, the first item on the Agenda was "the Future of the Club".

Each member spoke in turn, each supporting continuation. It was unanimous that the Club should continue as we are - doing good, where we can, while enjoying friendship and fellowship with our weekly lunchtime meetings (plus the occasional Zoom meeting with a speaker in the evening - usually once a month).

"Naturally, as the current President, I am more than delighted with this decision". -  Bill.

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THE LEEDS 7 GROUP OF ROTARY CLUBS

We are now participating/co-operating with the other 6 Clubs in the Leeds Area of Rotary District 1040. The Presidents meet from time to time (next in early January '26), and communicate easily via a 'WhatsApp' Group.

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SPONSORED WALK - SUNDAY 31st AUGUST 2025, 

IN AID OF ALZHEIMER'S RESEARCH UK

Two of our members, their wives, and some friends, joined members from the other 6 Rotary Clubs in the Leeds Area for this sponsored walk around the historic Temple Newsham Estate, Leeds. The weather was kind and a great day was had, (despite some aching limbs and sore feet at the end!). More importantly,

a total of £25,873.09 was raised through sponsorship.

In her letter of thanks, Fiona Burrell, Regional Fundraising Officer, Alzheimer's Research UK, said "What a fantastic achievement, and such a testament to the effort, enthusiasm and community spirit shown by all seven Rotary Clubs involved".

Rotary's Polio Plus:

Two of our members took part in a Collection day on World Polio Day - Friday October 24 - at Sainsbury’s Store, Moor Allerton, organised by Headingley Rotary Club. Because people do not carry much spare change these days, the total collected was down on what we might have expected, but a sizable amount has been forwarded to the Rotary Foundation Polio Plus Fund.

OUR ROTARY PEACE SCHOLAR 2025-26

Rotary District 1040 is proud to have a Rotary Peace Studies Centre, at Bradford University here in Yorkshire.Our Club has been supportive since it's inception. Rotarian Ken Garrett (seen here seated in his wheelchair) has, for many years, been hosting the Rotary Scholar allocated to our Club.  

This year the Scholar is Elize Nassif from the Lebanon, seen here on Ken's right (Mrs Garrett on Ken's left).

Elize is a very bright student (already with a number of degrees), and has a delightful personality. The picture was taken at the Bill Huntley Memorial Peace Seminar, 2025, entitled 'Culture, Conflict and the Possibilities of Peace', on Saturday 25th October 2025. 

A Fabulous Trip to the Panto for KidsCirque Wicked Wizard Of Oz - First Direct Arena. 

Being staged in Leeds after Christmas - Pantomime meets Cirque.  Some details from the publicity material:

"Enter the emerald circus where cirque meets panto, where imagination takes flight and witness the high flying arena spectacular, Wicked Wizard of Oz - A Cirque Spectacular is not to be missed. From the producers of Elf the Musical, enjoy all the thrills of this mesmerising production featuring high flying acrobatics, and festive panto with a huge selection of amazing characters from Wizard of Oz and many surprises".

Our Club has strong links with Seacroft Food Bank at St. Richard's Church (see below), and they have links with local charities dealing with underprivileged children. Quite out of the blue, we were offered 30 tickets for the 7pm show on the 29th December - for Free!. So we passed them on to the Team Rector of the Parish of Seacroft,   -The Revd. Canon Anne Russell - with the following response: "Fabulous! - Thank you so much". Ax.

We are sure that the children will have a wonderful evening at this spectacular event.

Support for needy people locally with Food donations

How it all started, June 2020:

We, sadly, live in an era in which Food Banks are needed, and poverty and need in our communities is only too real, and many people now find themselves in real difficulty. Since June 2020, we have been supporting (with monetary and food donations) the Parish Larder at St Richards Church, Seacroft, Leeds,

We also provide gifts for children at Christmas and Easter.

One of our Rotarians volunteers to help at the Tuesday food distribution each week, and other Rotarians when they can etc..

 St Richard's Church in the Parish of Seacroft in Leeds

UPDATES  2022-25 

STOP PRESS: 2nd December 2025

This time last year we were delighted to get a pallet-load of mince pies - that's about 6000+ - (FREE) from a charity based in Leicester called "Giving World".  Needless to say they were a great treat, and brought cheer to those using the "Parish Larder".

Well, we are already some way towards that target for this year, through the generosity of our Club members. 170 Boxes of mince pies - each box containing 6 to 8 pies - were delivered to St Richards today thanks to donations received.

Here's wishing a Happy Christmas to the recipients nearer to the big day.

Support goes on - November 2025.

The Club continues to support the Parish Larder. Rotarian Neale, attends each week to help with the distribution of food, etc. We have responded to various requests from time to time, e.g. for certain 'high cost' items, such as tinned ham etc. "Business" remains brisk each week, the Larder presently feeding about 250 people.

May 2025
The Club continues to support the Parish Larder, and, particularly, Rotarian Neale Lucas our Treasurer, attends each week to help with the distribution of food (and advice where needed). 

We were able to obtain some Mince Pies at Christmas time - thanks to our friends at "Giving World" - 6356 pies!!! Christmas cheer and (healthy?) nutrition all at once - oh, and some "Selection Boxes" of chocolates for the children.

"Business" continues to be brisk each Tuesday, and the Larder now feeds about 300-350 people each week. The types of supplies vary each week from the various donating bodies (such as Supermarkets). 

We gave a donation of about 400 Easter Eggs for the kids at Easter (and are thankful for the generosity of Sainsbury's Supermarkets for the discount, and freebies!). Donated items such as toilet rolls, 'ladies' products. deodorants, etc. are also most welcomed by the clients, and of late the Club Members have been donating tins of 'Baby Milk' and 'Follow-on Milk', which are well received.

June 2024

The Club has continued to support the Food Bank - now called the Parish Larder - following the withdrawal of input from the Trussell Trust. One of our members attends every Tuesday to help with the distribution of food etc. We gave Easter Eggs for the Children again this year and sweets at Christmas. We give donations of milk, food, and financial support when needed. Our input has not been needed so much of late. We did receive a shipment of 'fruit biscuits' from our friends at "Giving World" in the spring, and these were gratefully appreciated by the Parish Larder clientele.

We plan to continue this support in the new Rotary Year.

CLICK HERE to go further back into the story so far.

JukeBox Factory Visit, Thursday 13th November

SOUND LEISURE - CLASSIC JUKEBOXES

On 13th November, three of our members and wives had a splendid tour around the only factory currently manufacturing JukeBoxes. Sadly other members were not able to participate due to other engagements/illness. What an fascinating and interesting visit to see these fabulous machines being made - and for us to reminisce about years gone by. We were made so welcome by the members of this family business. Lunch at our usual venue followed. 

Sound Leisure - British Built Jukeboxes manufactured in Yorkshire since 1978. Our jukeboxes reflect the iconic retro styling of the original 1940s and 50s models, but with a contemporary twist to ensure they fit seamlessly with modern homes and lifestyles. Choose your favourite cabinet style and finish, pick from CD, vinyl or digital technologies, then select add-ons and Custom Shop options to make your jukebox unique. Our highly skilled team will then hand-build a dream machine, just for you. So if you’re looking to put some soul in your home, we’ve got it covered.

AQUABOX

(Click on the Aquabox logo to go to their website.) 

Our members used to fill a number of Aquaboxes each year with the useful items required, and deliver them to the Aquabox Depot in Derbyshire. However, since COVID we have been unable to do this regularly - the last delivery being in 2024. Now, Aquabox prefers to receive monetary donations, and to fill the boxes themselves with goods they have sourced (for quality and completeness of the number of items in the box).

The Club buys a box every now and again.

Makes you feel good that the efforts of a few people in Yorkshire can have such an impact on the lives of people in need so far away! 

Our Webpages

Our Club is one of very many clubs in Great Britain and Ireland currently using the RIBI website template, each club being required to make an ANNUAL payment of £50. The donations go to support The Rotary Foundation each year!