Rotary Club of Church Wilne

The Rotary Club of Church Wilne was chartered in 1985 being the daughter club of Long Eaton Rotary Club. The first President was Paul Harris Fellow Roger Graham and the inaugural Charter held at Grange Farm, Toton under the watchful eye of District Governor Arnold Crosby. We started by meeting Monday evenings at the Rose and Crown, Draycott moving on to the Blue Ball, Risley. Bartlewood Lodge, Spondon. Tudor Court, Draycott and finally to where we are now, The Royal Oak, Ockbrook.

Parts of St. Chads Church, which is located at Church Wilne, date back to the 13th century. Although the club have no link with the Church of England, the Church outline has always been used as a logo for our club. Indeed, the central nature of the village (hamlet) in relationship to our catchment's area gave rise to the Club's name.

We generally consider ourselves a Club that thinks local. This is mainly because of our location which is tucked away between the larger City/Town areas of Derby, Ilkeston and Long Eaton all of which have their own clubs. Each year, thanks to the generosity of our local population, we collect a substantial sum of money on our Christmas float week. This is used exclusively for local benefit. Recipients are usually from areas such as schools, old age pensioners as well as other local groups such as a local football team for much needed equipment.

This is not to say other areas of Rotary are neglected. For instance we have always helped towards the Aquabox scheme and as with all Rotary clubs our thoughts have been very much concentrated towards the international tragedies such as earthquakes, famine relief.

Over the years the Polio vaccination programme has had our total support and the final drive to eradicate polio under the Polio Plus appeal is very near to ridding the world of this dreadful disease. One or two areas in Africa still have infection but there is an end in site.

We have had a very happy association with our twin Club in Hinnerup, Denmark which was chartered at about the same time as ours and like Church Wilne has always been an evening club. We make alternate visits every two years and in 2009 it is our turn to visit Denmark.

The approximate Area of Church Wilne Rotary Club is Ockbrook, south of the A52 running east along the A52 and south to Draycott, Church Wilne and north west to Spondon.