The Beginnings

The Rotary Club of Royston came into being when it was granted its charter by President Joseph A. Abey on 23rd March

1962. Rotarian Bill Warren (of the Rotary Club of Cambridge) and Mr Derek Walker of Royston (one of the founding

members the club) both played a crucial part in the club’s creation. The club began with 31 founding members, and it still

has about the same number of members today.

Silver Jubilee Celebrations 2012

On 18th May 2012, the Club celebrated its Silver

Jubilee with a formal dinner at Homerton College,

Cambridge. Distinguished attendees included Royston's

Member of Parliament, Sir Oliver Heald; Annemarie

Harte, Chief Executive of Rotary International of Great

Britain and Northern Ireland; and Rotarian Tom Griffin,

District Governor. More than 100 Rotarians and guests

participated, marking the exact date of the club's

formation 50 years prior.

Sir Oliver Heald acknowledged the notable

contributions of past Rotary members in shaping the

club, stating: "Today's members are rightly considered

exemplary citizens, committed not only to local

initiatives but also international outreach." He cited Rotary's Shelter Box Scheme, actively supporting those in need in

Pakistan, and commended the club's ongoing dedication to charitable fundraising.

Club President Neil Heywood reported that in the preceding year, the club assisted 26 charities and raised over £17,000.

To commemorate its Jubilee Year, the club presented the flagpole that now stands in Priory Gardens, Royston. The gift

was formally given to the town by then President Chris Hardy, witnessed by Sir Oliver Heald MP and Councillor Lindsay

Davidson, Mayor of Royston. Chris Hardy explained: “As part of our 50th anniversary, we sought to provide a lasting

contribution to the community. After considering several options, we decided to donate a community flagpole so that clubs

and groups within the town may display their flags to recognise significant events or occasions.” The project was made

possible through the efforts of Rotary members and generous support from the Brian Leslie Racher Charity Trust,

Councillor Fiona Hill’s County Council locality budget, and a grant from the Royston area committee of North Herts District

Council. Rotary work with Royston Town Council to commemorate nationally significant events by hoisting appropriate

flags.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Rotary donated a town crest flag to the council.

Founder Members

Below is the earliest known photograph of the club’s founder members, taken in early March 1963, along with their

names.

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Alfie Deards

Please click here to read about Alfie Deards and his contribution to the Royston Rotary club

List of Past Presidents

Back Row (L to R): John Pigg, Peter Mills, Albert Read, Harold Richmond, Sam Wilkinson, R Candler, Don Humphris, Ivan Wickstead Middle Row (L to R) :Bob Logsdon, Bill Darling, Chris Paice, Geoff Snell, Hubert Stearn, Roy Haywood, Jeff Gray, Roy Cowell Front   Row   (L   to   R):   "Peri"   Peregrine, Arthur   White,   Norman   Northgraves,   Derek   Walker,   Peter   Limbach,   Ian   Milne,   Edward   Devonshire, George Haddock, Richard Cox