Welcome to the Rotary Club of Swaffham

Rotary Serving Humanity

Discover Rotary Today

Swaffham Rotary President, Ray Burman

Message from the Club President

Welcome to our website. Have a look around it.

The Rotary Club of Swaffham comprises a group of men and women from Swaffham and District who give service locally and internationally for those in need. We raise money for local good causes in our community as well as those Internationally. We have fun whilst enjoying fellowship, friendship and enjoying each other’s company.

Our Club was established in 1969. So, we are in 53rd year. In 2019 we celebrated our 50th “birthday” with a series of successful events. One event, Capture Swaffham, a free entry photographic competition open to all, to capture the essence of Swaffham, – the characters, the events and places, the architecture and the shops – ran throughout the year. Instead of the planned final exhibition at Swaffham Museum, which fell victim to the Covid 19 lockdown, the entries can be viewed on the Museum’s website under the virtual museum tab.

We are part of Rotary International, a worldwide organisation of 35,000 Clubs and more than 1.2 million members in 200 countries. Rotary International has its own charity, the Rotary Foundation, which provides grants to support the charitable activities of Rotary Clubs. Rotary International is also leading a programme to eradicate polio worldwide. With backing from Bill and Melinda Gates, of Microsoft, this programme has almost achieved its aim. Our Club raises funds for both the Rotary Foundation and the End Polio campaign, as well as contributing to other international charities and disaster relief organisations.

More locally, and once covid precautions permit, we aim arrange events for the benefit of the community, such as:

  • a “Stroke Awareness Day” that gives people the chance to have their blood pressure tested in Spring;
  • a strawberry tea for elderly residents in Summer; and
  • a Christmas Fayre where local voluntary organisations can raise funds and publicise their activities in November.

And we raise funds that can be applied to benefit charities and community organisations. Alongside other fund-raising events, we organise a Charity Golf Day in July, and an Art Exhibition and Sale at the end of October. The funds raised are applied locally or further afield. In the last few years, we have made donations or supplied equipment to amongst others:

  • East Anglia Air Ambulance
  • Merle Boddy Day Centre (Swaffham and District Mental Health Association),
  • Swaffham Community Hospital League of Friends,
  • Mind Norfolk and Waveney,
  • Alzheimer’s Society and
  • The Nicholas Hamond Academy and Litcham School

And while doing this we have fun. We have resumed face to face meetings. Usually, we meet on the first and third Mondays each month for a meal, and to discuss Club business or to hear speakers who entertain us and tell us about local or international issues and needs

We welcome new members. If you want to know more about Rotary, speak to any of our members or contact me via the link below. We would love to hear from you.

Ray Burman
President

Discover Rotary in Swaffham

There is no such thing as a typical Rotary member, nor a typical club. Each one of the 1,700 Rotary clubs in Britain and Ireland has its own unique personality. Clubs meet on different days of the week, at different times of the day – morning, lunchtime and in the evenings – and are involved in a vast range of different projects and activities.

Here in Swaffham, we usually meet on the first and third Monday evenings at 6:00 for 6:30 p.m. at The George Hotel in the centre of Swaffham. When there is a public holiday in the month, we may change our meeting day so please check with us if you are thinking of visiting.

We are engaged in a number of activities locally, nationally and internationally. You will find details of our usual meetings and activities elsewhere on this site.

Or you can contact the Club President or Secretary by using the email links on our Contact Us page.