Winchester Rotary Club was chartered 9th May 1927. The first President was Stanley
Clifton, (Mayor of Winchester 1921-22), supported by a Vice President, Secretary and 6
Council Members.

The Rotary International Motto, “Service Above Self”, comes from the very first Rotary
Club, inaugurated in Chicago in 1905, due to the vision of Paul Harris, a Chicago
attorney.

Since 9th May 1927, much of Winchester Rotary’s voluntary work locally, nationally and
internationally has been and is concerned with addressing issues such as environmental
degradation, illiteracy, worldwide hunger, health issues, vulnerable children and creating
better opportunities for young people to grow and thrive in today’s challenging world.

Many of the Club’s earlier projects continue to this day, they include:

• Annual Senior Citizens’ Tea Party
• Youth Speaks Competition, (Public speaking)
• Declaration of Friendship – Rotary Club of Le Havre de Grâce
• Declaration of Friendship – Le Havre de Grâce and Rotary Club of Oberhausen Antony-Hütte
• Instrumental in setting up Winchester Talking Newspaper
• Organising the Clarendon Marathon assisted by Salisbury Rotary
• An Annual Pancake Race in Winchester Cathedral Outer Close

During our Rotary Year 2024 – 2025, in addition to our fundraising programme, we have
donated to external UK charities £51,000, plus total overseas donations of £43,500.

Membership numbers have varied over the years, since the election of the first twenty one
in 1927. This reflects the vast changes in our culture, family life, working and financial
circumstances. At present, we number forty members. At Winchester Rotary we aim above all else to continue our vital work helping the many vulnerable people and groups in our local community and beyond.

We value diversity and have always welcomed new members, either as full members of
our Club, as volunteers, (to help us whenever possible with projects and fundraising), or as
Friends of Rotary.

2027 marks our 100th Anniversary. We invite you to join us to become a vital part of
our future history.

For a more detailed history, please see here.