Rotary District 1260 Celebrates Welwyn Garden City’s Historic Centenary Weekend

Sat, May 23rd 2026 at 7:02 pm - 9:02 pm

Rotary District 1260 highlights the spectacular 100-year Centenary weekend hosted by Welwyn Garden City Rotary Club, featuring international fellowship, distinguished guests, and a celebration of a century of community impact.


A Century of Service and Fellowship: Celebrating Welwyn Garden City Rotary’s Historic Centenary Weekend

By Amanda Joseph Rotary District 1260 

Rotary District 1260 recently came together in full force to support and celebrate a truly momentous milestone: the Centenary of the Rotary Club of Welwyn Garden City.

Spanning four days of incredible international fellowship, civic pride, and joyful celebration, the WGC team hosted a masterclass of an event. Welcoming a special delegation of nine visitors from their twin club in Luçon, France, the weekend served as a powerful reminder of what makes Rotary so unique—lifelong friendships, community impact, and shared success.

Here is how this landmark four-day weekend unfolded:

Friday: A Warm British Welcome

The celebrations kicked off on Friday evening with a relaxed and traditional British welcome. Host families and club members gathered alongside the French delegates for a classic fish and chip supper. It was the perfect, informal setting to break the ice, reunite old friends, and set a wonderful tone of international fellowship for the days ahead.

Saturday: Creativity, Entertainment, and the Grand Charter Dinner

Saturday daytime gave the international visitors a chance to explore the historic Knebworth House. Meanwhile, behind the scenes at Essendon Country Club, a dedicated team was hard at work transforming the grand venue with beautifully designed custom Centenary banners, flags, balloon displays, and bespoke table settings.

By evening, the venue came alive for the spectacular Centenary Charter Dinner, attended by over 70 guests. The atmosphere was electric, with drinks flowing and a delicious three-course meal served.

The room was treated to premier entertainment, starting with a mind-boggling close-up magician before dinner, followed by a high-energy performance from a local community Rock Choir that had the entire room clapping and swaying. A poignant highlight of the night was the screening of an epic nine-minute Centenary video featuring moving messages from local charities, regional leaders, and International Rotary President Francesco Arezzo.

Inspiring speeches were delivered by WGC’s Joint Presidents, Luçon President Marlene Tran, District Governor Jeremy Wyman, and District Governor Elect Kendal Pit, reflecting on a century of "Service Above Self."

Sunday: From Greenwich Culture to a Malaysian Feast

Sunday took the international fellowship on the road to London. The delegation enjoyed a packed cultural trip to Greenwich, taking in the sights of the historic Royal Observatory, the breathtaking Painted Hall, and the iconic Cutty Sark. The afternoon concluded with a gorgeous one-hour cruise down the River Thames.

After a quick dash back to Hertfordshire to refresh, everyone gathered one last time for a spectacular Malaysian Feast—a wonderful, vibrant evening of food and laughter to close out the formal festivities.

Monday: Waving Goodbye with Promises for 2029

The weekend drew to a bittersweet close on Monday morning. Host families and club guests gathered to serve the Luçon delegates a final breakfast before waving them off on their journey home.

True to the spirit of Rotary, the goodbye wasn't an end, but a look toward the future. The delegates were waved off with an official promise from the Welwyn Garden City club to return the visit in 2029, where they will cross the Channel to help the Luçon club celebrate their own 60th anniversary.

The District View: Celebrating Our Clubs’ Successes

This incredible weekend perfectly highlighted the strength, unity, and supportive nature of District 1260. It was wonderful to see neighboring clubs supporting one another, highlighted by Brookmans Park Rotary Club who brought a full table of members to share in the celebrations. The event was also deeply honored by the presence of civic leadership, including The Mayor, Lyn Chesterman OBE, and her husband.

Representing the District, District Governor Jeremy Wyman, District Governor Elect Kendal Pit, and District Governor Nominee Claudio Duran were all delighted to attend and participate.

As a District, our role is frequently focused on guiding, coordinating, and supporting the vital charitable and humanitarian work our clubs execute day in and day out. However, historic milestones like this remind us of the other, equally vital half of our Rotary DNA: we are here to celebrate our clubs.

District 1260 doesn't just work hard together; we share deeply in each other's historic successes, major milestones, and the immense fun and fellowship that keeps our organization thriving.

Congratulations to the Rotary Club of Welwyn Garden City on 100 years of profound community impact. Here is to the next century, and to France in 2029!

Together, we grow. Together, we celebrate.

'What We Do' Main Pages:

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..Saturday 21st December 2019.. Old Road - including Washbrook Close, Church Road, Manor Road, Blakelands, etc.

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President Bob makes sure Paul will always remember the day he was made a Rotarian

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President Bob welcomes Paul Craggs as a member of our Club

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.....Sadly passed away on 7th May 2020..... Mike joined the Rotary Club of Barton-le-Clay in May 1990. 3 years after it was formed

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joining: Peacebuilding and conflict prevention, Disease prevention and treatment. Water, sanitation and hygiene. Maternal and child health. Basic education and literacy. Community economic development.

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By joining Rotary, your journey on the road to transforming communities begins Contact Bob Knowles about this page: bob-knowles@talktalk.net

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Friday 24th September 2021 If any pensioner would like an afternoon tea box delivered to them on that day please telephone 07931-684079 to leave your name, address and telephone number. A member of the Club will then contact you

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Tuesday 21st December 2021 Starting 5.00pm Including Gale Court, Old Road, Washbrook Close, Hexton Road, Church Road, Manor Road, Blakelands, etc.

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Sunday 19th December 2021 www.chelmsfordcommunityradio.com between 10.00am and 12.00pm

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The Christmas lights have been switched back on for the next 5 days as a beacon of hope for George

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Friday 27th May 2022 Myles appointed as a Bake Off judge

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President Andrew welcomes Phil Tebb as a member of our Club

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Past President Bob hands over to President Andrew

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President Andrew welcomes Michael Lobb as a member of our Club

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Monday 24th October 2022

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Following an appeal by Maggie Herod of Silsoe. Club members donated food to the Luton Foodbank. Follow this link by going to POPULAR PAGES at the bottom of this main page and clicking on the last link. https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/maggiewalk

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Dickie Bird and Adam Beesley(workshop manager) at the presentation of the new Sand Blaster at Tools for Self Reliance, Milton Keynes

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RI President R. Gordon R. McInally calls for Rotary to create hope in the world. "The goal is to restore hope — to help the world heal from destructive conflicts and, in turn, to help us achieve lasting change for ourselves."

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President David welcomes Cliff Hutchinson as a member of our Club

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President David welcomes Alan Childs as a member of our Club

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President David welcomes Neil Forrester as a member of our Club

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Saturday10th May 2025

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The team consisted of Bob Knowles, Ian Chapple, Paul Craggs, Barry Collett, Jim & Joan Ellis-Jones, Cliff & Jan Haynes

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Result of this year's collection

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Saturday 24th May 2025

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Francesco Arezzo of Italy selected to be 2025-26 Rotary International President

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President Nominee Cliff, Past President & President Elect Andy, President Barry & Secretary David

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Past President Andrew hands over to President David

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Friday 27th September 2019

.....Friday 27th September 2019........ "Zing"- Carole & Peter entertaining our guests.

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President Bob makes sure Andy will always remember the day he was made a Rotarian

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Go to our links page to see details of this charity

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The walking group at the presentation of the new poles

Launch of a Nordic-style walking programme

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Club members cleaning and giving a new life to hand tools whilst on our annual visit of Tuesday 21st May 2019

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Barton-le-Clay Rotary Club supports fundraising for The Rotary Foundation

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Past President David Swain hands over to President Bob Knowles

Past President David Swain hands over to President Bob Knowles

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George getting to grips with the old game of Tethered Skittles

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Santa with his little helpers

Each year the Club takes Santa around the streets of Barton-le-Clay to meet all the children, young and old, and make a collection to support our designated charities.

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