Club Information

Fund Allocation

History

The Woking Rotary Club is proud of its long standing within the local community it was formed on the 9th March 1922. Gathered in the Rendevous Restaurant a number of men from Woking with a view to forming a Rotary Club. At that meeting there were the following present:- Dr. John Laurie, Messrs. W. Davies, G. M. Osborne, E.B. Young, G.R.P. Langford, W. Radley, F. Howell, A. Lloyd Davies, J.M. Pomeroy, FJ. Arnold and F.F. Marsh.

The following visitors were also present: -

Mr. V. Carter, Secretary of the British Association of Rotary Clubs, Dr. Stancombe, Vice President of Southampton Rotary Club, Mr. Hammond also of the Southampton Rotary Club, Mr. Hart of the Guildford Rotary Club and Mr. Carter, Secretary of the Southampton Rotary Club. After Dr. Stancombe had addressed the meeting on the Aims and Objects of Rotary Clubs and Mr. Carter on the organisation of these clubs it was RESOLVED on the proposition of W. Davies and seconded by Mr. Pomeroy that "A Rotary Club be formed in Woking". Mr. F.F. Marsh was elected Interim Secretary.

A Sub-Committee of three (Messrs. Davies, Osborne and Marsh) was appointed to make a suitable list of Classifications, membership of the Club and names of proposed members to be submitted to a further meeting to be held on 23rd March. The above mentioned men from Woking were present when they decided to invite the following men as members of the proposed new Rotary Club: -

H. Quartermain (Amusements), J.H. Harris (Barrister), W.A. Elton (Bookseller), W.G. Tarrant (Builder), Dr.J. Levy (Industrial Chemist), Rev. E.R.P. Devereux (C of E Clergy), T. Threadgold (Coal Merchant), A. Hardy (Contractor), E.G. Nicholson (Company Secretary), S. Boorman (Farmer), S. Brunner (Poultry Farmer), A. Fraser (Newspaper Manager), J. Holden (School-master) and M.D. Livingstone (Ophthalmic Optician).

All but Messrs. W.G. Tarrant and S. Boorman accepted.

At the Council Meeting on 21st April an invitation was extended to Mr. G.T.W. Leeson (Rubber Goods Manufacturer).

The Inaugural Dinner was held on 28th April at the Albion Hotel and cost 5/- (25p). Messages of goodwill were received from the following clubs: -

Croydon, Salisbury, Gosport, Tunbridge Wells, Camberley and Southampton. There were three visitors from the London Rotary Club, six from the Guildford Club and one each from Southampton and Reading Clubs.

The first Club Meeting was held on 12th May 1922 at the Albion Hotel. The H.Q. would be the Rendevous Restaurant and the Club would meet on the 2nd and 4th Fridays at 7.3Opm sharp. The Model Constitution and By-Laws provided by the British Association of Rotary Clubs was adopted and the Club affiliated to that Association.

The first president was Dr. John Laurie, Vice President J.H. Harris, Treasurer J.M. Observe and the Secretary F.F. Marsh.