If you are a person who has business skills or the ability to talk to and to inspire people and you want to give back to the community then Rotary is the thing to be part of. If you are newly retired, want to make friends and continue to use those skills you have honed throughout your working life then Rotary is for you.

I joined my local Rotary Club 25 years ago when still a pilot in the RAF to meet people, make friends locally and to help with events designed to make money for charities and to provide entertainment to local people. I have been involved in art exhibitions, town festivals, jazz days, race nights and quizz nights - all designed to be fun for people including me and to make money for local, national and international causes.

Since joining the Rotary Club of Witney 5 years ago, 2 years before I retired, I have been involved in Colour Runs, Witney Lights events, Firewalks, Interact (a Rotary spin off for secodnary school pupils) and, with other service clubs such as Lions and Round Table, the Witney Carnival and Santa's sleigh. Our Club has supported the elderly with cream teas in the summer and Christmas parties, helped the disadvantaged by supporting the newly formed Witney Community Support Centre, given finance and organisational advice to the Witney Shed, provided Christmas presents to children in Women's refuges, supported the Kids Out programme which organises days out for underpriviledged and vulnerable children and, through the Shelter Box programme, provided funds to those affected by disaster overseas.

Rotary provides me with continuing goals in my life and makes me try to live up to the Rotary motto of 'Service Above Self'. Would you consider being a part of Rotary?

Simon Hamilton

President 2024 -25

Rotary Club of Witney

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