Celebrating 100 years of Rotary in Wales
A celebration of 100 years of Rotary in Wales at the Senedd in May was sponsored by the Rt Hon Carwyn Jones AM. Mr Jones is a former Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar and an Honorary Member of Bridgend Rotary Club. The celebration included a showcase of Rotary International projects that have been embraced in Wales such as the distribution of small filtration units - Lifestraws - to areas of the world where there is contaminated water; Rotary Doctor Bank, which funds volunteer healthcare workers to travel to developing countries to treat patients and provide teaching to doctors, nurses and midwives; and the Jaipur Limb Project that brings affordable prosthetic limbs to developing countries. Community projects were also showcased such as the Rotary Young Carers initiative and the Rotarians across Wales who are working with partner organisations in their local communities to make them “dementia friendly”.
District Governor Maggie Hughes presented certificates to Rotarians and people in the community who are working to make a difference in their area and highlighted Howard Craven from Swansea who won a national Rotary award for his work mentoring prisoners at Parc Prison. “We began in Wales in 1917 with the formation of The Rotary Club of Cardiff,” said DG Maggie. “They received their Charter in November of that year and were quickly followed by Llanelli who received their Charter in April, 1918.
“From these two clubs we have now grown to 64 in South Wales with over 1,500 Rotarians plus there are another 37 clubs covering North Wales.”
A Welsh Oak Tree commemorating the Centenary of the Rotary Club of Cardiff and a century of Rotary in Wales was planted in Bute Park, Cardiff in June. George Mercer, Centenary President for Cardiff Rotary said: “The oak tree planted in Bute Park commemorates 100 years of Rotary service to the city and community of Cardiff and to Wales. It is a symbol of what can grow from one small acorn. In the same way Rotary has grown in Wales from the Rotary Clubs of Cardiff and Llanelli. We hope the young tree we plant in Bute Park will thrive and grow into a mighty oak and that Rotary will continue to grow to serve the community well into the next century.”
Welsh Oak marks the next 100 years
The Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Councillor Diane Rees said: “I am delighted to commemorate Rotary’s century of service to Cardiff and Wales by planting this traditional Welsh Oak sapling. We hope it will grow and thrive in this beautiful area of parkland and woodland in the heart of our city.”
“My association with Rotary and my local Rotary Club of Bridgend goes back a number of years,” said the First Minister. “I remember as a teenager getting involved with one of their schemes, and my father has been a member for many years so Rotary has always been in the family. I was also delighted to become an Honorary member of Bridgend Rotary. “A lot has happened over the last 100 years, the world is now a very
different place, yet the Rotary movement has weathered all the global events and upheaval and is still thriving and still remains relevant”
CENTENARY TRAIN MARKS THE FINALE
It was all aboard the Glangwili Steam Railway for the final event of the Centenary year organised by Assistant Governor Kevin Sivyer. The sold out event started with a Prosecco Reception on the starting station the Bronwydd Arms.
The volunteers who run the railway pulled the stops out with a full three course meal, while the train travelled up and down the pictur- esque Carmarthen track. It was a very hot day but there were plenty of opportunities to take a moment or two off the train at the stopping stations. The event was in aid of the Tenovus Closer to Home appeal.
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