My Rotary - I didn't think that I could afford it.

Rotary is cheaper than you think from just over £10 a month you can be a member with access to all sorts of projects and events.

Many things are very different when you are up close to them compared to when you are some distance away - Rotary can be one of them.

When I was in my twenties I went along to a Rotary meeting in Walsall with a friend who was then the manager of a local insurance company. It was a lunchtime meeting lasting an hour. All the men (it was all men back then) seemed to be well heeled local business types trying to impress each other. It was obvious that I couldn’t afford to join a group like that.

A number of years later I bumped into an old friend of mine who had been in the Scouts with me and found out that he was a Rotarian so I asked if I could join them. I have now been with them for ten years and have had the pleasure and privilege of being their president for one of those years.

Rotary has changed and is changing – it now takes women (hurrah), it much more relaxed, you don’t have to be as well off as those men appeared to be all those years ago and it’s not so stuffy!

From a personal point of view I enjoy our weekly meetings – there’s a little leg pulling and banter as you would expect and we get a chance to raise substantial amounts of money for local, national and international charities. The charity that I am most impressed with is the Polio Plus campaign. Have a look on the website for more details.

Why not come along to one of our Thursday evening meetings at DHGC you will get a warm welcome and if you ask for Jeremy I promise I’ll buy you a drink!

Contact Jeremy Bakewell about this page:

'What We Do' Main Pages:

My Rotary - No-one in my family had been in a service club

I wasn't sure what it would be like to be in a service club and whether I would fit in.

A fundraiser for Acorns Hospice and Rotary International End Polio Now Campaign.

Show your pooch to thousands of people in the community and help to raise money for charity. Upload a photograph of your dog, choose a category to enter and make a minimum donation of £2 for charity.

The Rotary Shoebox Scheme has been running since 1994. https://www.rotaryshoebox.org/about-us/ Each year the scheme sends around 50,000 boxes or gifts to countries in Eastern Europe. Gifts are sent throughout the year to orphanages, homes and hospitals.

Rotary recognises people who make a difference in the community.

Rotary recognises significant commitment to the community

Working with the Royal British Legion in Aldridge to ensure poppy cans are distributed and that there are plenty of volunteers to collect.

In conjunction with Aston Manor Transport Museum Aldridge, the Rotary club are holdingn our 2nd Beer Festival on Friday 13th, Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th October 2017.

We all only have so much time to give but being part of Rotary is an enjoyable way to spend my downtime.

We gave 3 local schools the opportunity to send some pupils each with a parent to take part in a day of challenging activities.

The Tree of Light stands in the Morrisons' store in Aldridge. Lights on the tree can be sponsored to remember our loved ones at this special time of the year. This is a major fundraiser for the club and helps us to support many projects.

Weekend away visiting the Rotary Club of Tiel

Its not all about fundraising and service. An important part of Rotary is socialising and in Aldridge we organise lots of weekends away and trips out.

We are proud to support the British Legion in Aldridge with the organisation of this annual parade.

We have adopted a section of the Canal around Aldridge and are working with the community to keep it tidy and well maintained for all leisure users.

Some photograph's of The Aldridge Garden of Reflection.

Run by Aldridge Methodist Church

I joined the club in 2012 as the first female member, I was worried about what it would be like but I was warmly welcomed and know I made the right decision.

A walk of around 1.3 miles routed around the village to pass benches where you may choose to rest a while.

Get Involved

Are you interested in joining The Rotary Club of Aldridge? If the answer is yes, please use the email link below and we will get back in touch with you shortly.

Rotary is cheaper than you think from just over £10 a month you can be a member with access to all sorts of projects and events.

Visit our Facebook page to donate.
https://www.facebook.com/aldridgerotaryclub

Two of our members are undertaking a virtual walk from Land’s End to John O’Groats (874 miles). They are walking locally every day to accumulate the total miles involved.

The Advent Adventure kicks off the Christmas fundraising period for the Rotary Club.

Local community groups working together in the tidy up before Britain in Bloom.

The Rotary Club of Aldridge gets involved in lots of local projects in Aldridge. Wherever possible we work with other local groups to make improvements in Aldridge.

A concert held at the Methodist church in Aldridge in aid of the Poppy Appeal.

The Club works with local schools and youth groups in many ways. We run several Rotary competitions at a local, district & national level but these can be adapted in any way to suit the needs of the group.

Individuals and small businesses take loans supporting their businesses.

Nearly 8 million people live on less than $1.90 a day. Rotary members are passionate about providing sustainable solutions to poverty.

Are you interested in Joining Aldridge Rotary Club?

Come along and join us.

My Rotary - I didn't think that I could afford it.

Rotary is cheaper than you think from just over £10 a month you can be a member with access to all sorts of projects and events.