The birth of Rotary in 1905 was the vision of Paul Harris, a Chicago Attorney who formed the Rotary Club of Chicago to enable professionals from diverse backgrounds to come together to exchange ideas and form lifelong friendships. The name Rotary was chosen to describe the practice of meeting in rotation at various members places of business.

Our first ever meeting was held on Monday 27 September 1926 in Winchester High Street where it was agreed unanimously to form a Rotary Club, and so a provisional committee was formed. The Provisional Committee met on Tuesday 12 October and recommended that the standard constitution and by-laws be adopted with the name ‘Winchester and District’. The proposed entrance fee was 10s/6d and annual subscription was £2.

At the Club Meeting of 20 October, the Provisional Committee’s proposals were approved and ‘that the 21 gentlemen proposed be elected to the Club’.

The first General Meeting was held on Monday 15 November 1926 when a President (Stanley Clifton), Vice-President, Secretary and six Council Members were elected.

The club was chartered on 9 May 1927. 

Until 1989 Rotary was exclusively an all male club. In that year women were admitted to Rotary and today number over 90,000. Our first lady member joined the Winchester Rotary club in 2006. Since then many more have joined over the years adding another dimension to the club’s organisation and projects we undertake.

1927 saw our first Winchester Community project – to provide ‘gymnasium facilities for adolescents in Winchester’ – an unlikely project today – there are many gyms in Winchester. Sadly, we still lack facilities for our teenagers in Winchester which Winchester Rotary is endeavouring to improve – an example: our support for Winchester Street Reach.

From the early days of our 21 members we reached a peak of over 90 members in 2014. Due to changes in social, family and working life, membership has fallen. We are seeking new members from all cultures and walks of life to join our club of friendship, fundraising and fun projects to help those in need in our community.

Over the years, Winchester Rotary has raised many thousands of pounds and given many donations to local, national and international projects and causes.

In addition to our active fundraising programme the total donated by Winchester Rotary nationally and internationally during the Rotary year 1 July 2023 – 30 June 2024 was £76, 807.45

Today, much of our work at Winchester Rotary Club, locally, nationally and internationally is concerned with addressing issues such as environmental degradation, illiteracy, world hunger, health issues, children at risk and in need, plus helping to create opportunities for young people.

To enable our Club to flourish, remain vibrant and effective in all aspects of our work, we need effective and vibrant new members – will you become part of our Winchester Rotary future history?