90th Charter Night
On Wednesday 19th September the Rotary Club of Hastings celebrated the 90th anniversary of the granting of its charter in 1922. Approximately 100 Rotarians and friends attended the celebration at the Bannatynes Montgomery Suit. Club members were joined by visiting Rotarians from local clubs as well as the RC of Hastings French contact club Rouen. Visiting dignitaries included the Mayor, Rotary District Governor and the representative of Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland (Rotary GB&I), Len Smith and his wife Joy. Len was a founder member of the RC of Four Marks & Medstead,founded on 30th March 2010 in District 1110, He was previously a member or the RC of Twickenham and was District Govenr in 1977 - 78 then Rotary GB&I President in 1989 - 90 .
Guests had travelled from as far away as Taiwan to be part of this special event. President Raymond Barrett said that he wanted this to be a party with a 1920s theme and with this in mind speeches were short and confined to congratulating the club on 90 years of local and international service. Rotary GB&I Past President Len Smith removed his DJ and donned a twenties blazer and boater to present the club with is anniversary certificate.
Special mention was made of the RC of Rouen's support for the Hastings Club and District project in aid of Hope and Homes for Children in Romania. Past President Brion Purdy, a keen historian, outlined the early history of the club and revealed that the date being celebrated was likely the clearance of the club's subscription cheque to the British Association of Rotarians! The Laton Ash school of dance provided magical twenties themed entertainment between meal courses and then invited Rotarians and guests to join them on the dance floor for a demonstration number; most Rotarians will stick to the day job!
rd 24/9/12