There was much that needed to be done, helping old people and starting youth Clubs. The idea was for the Rotary not to spend too much money, but to give good service and quietly get out once things were running successfully. This happened on several occasions. Hornchurch Old Peoples’ Club was formed by the Rotary. Harry Smith was very keen on this Club and acted as Chairman for many years. Then there were things like the Leagues of Friends. I was founder member of Harold Wood Hospital League of Friends.
It was kept in operation for the next 10 years during
which we had three Chairmen. Rush Green Hospital League of Friends was started by Harold Hughes.
Memories of the First 10 Years: Sport & Fellowship
We had some excellent members in the first 10 years. Harry Chandler was another new member and, of course, a very useful contact.
There was a grocer’s shop on Upminster Hill called Moore. Mr Moore was a member for a number of years.
Another thing we were very keen on was Rotary sport. I think we joined in practically everything, and we even had a cricket team with Archie Rogers. We used to play on Britannic Gardens in Billet Lane and on South Ockendon Village Green. Harry Wilson was able to get there, and he joined. We used to play at Ilford and all over the place.
We also had a successful darts team. Charles Olley, known as gravel-pit Olley, was one of the team together with Harry Wilson, Bob Chester, the ironmonger in Station Road, and myself. We were the four who travelled all over, and won the District Cup playing at Elstree. We played the finals at a pub in Fleet Street. Dr. Patterson was President that year, so that was four years after we started. He came to join us when we told him we had won! We had a good evening there.
I think the fellowship was tremendous and we used to meet in each other’s house, and were always invited to other committees if we wanted to go. Everybody was so keen that they joined in everything. We went to our first District conference the first year and that was in Margate. For the first ten years I did not miss a meeting. Luckily I had an assistant who was very good. We arranged transport for the blind for their various Clubs and I think I missed helping the blind more than anything. They were such a good crowd and you never heard anybody grumble. Harrow Lodge Park had a
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