80 Years Young!
The first date of interest in Slough Rotary Club's history is the 24th May 1932. On that day a group of business men met at the towns Royal Hotel to discuss the formation of a Rotary Club in Slough. On the 6th of September that year, the first weekly meeting took place with Rotarian Frank Farr as President. The Club's Charter was granted on the 22ndDecember 1932 under the sponsorship of the Maidenhead Club and it was presented on the 15th February 1933 at a banquet held at the Old Crown Hotel. The founder members numbered fourteen.
During the course of the Second World War the Club's activities were curtailed with eight members serving in the forces and others giving sterling service to assist the war-effort at home. In this case of War service above self the Club adopted H. M. Drifter Feisul providing the crew with many comforts.
The Club developed strongly during the 1950s and1960s. The main activities being as now, serving the local Community, undertaking International initiatives, helping others through members specific vocational skills and supporting the Rotary Foundation. There was considerable demand for all of this following the War and membership increased steadily as a result and of the policy adopted in 1952 to double the membership. This was so successful that in the 1960s the Club was able to create two daughter Clubs. The first of these, chartered in 1968, was the Burnham Club with the second chartered in 1972, Langley and Iver. Eventually a 'grand daughter Club ', Burnham Beeches, was created in 1985. All three are still active today.
At the time of the Club's Diamond Jubilee in 1992, membership was just below sixty. We celebrated our 75th anniversary with both a gala dinner at Baylis House for 140 members and guests and raising £20,000 for Berkshire charities with the 'Slough Together' Charity Ball at The Copthorn Hotel.
The Club has always embraced change and enjoys taking an innovative approach. We are proud to reflect Slough's multicultural community and this together with the introduction of lady members during the last ten years has substantially strengthened resources and broadened our outlook. Meetings now occur in the evenings rather than at lunchtimes and a more informal approach is accepted. Throughout, the main ethic of Rotary Worldwide, 'Service above Self ' has been continuously maintained.