About us

When PDG David Power was invited to join the Rotary Club of Nottingham at the age of 32, he was looking for a meaningful way to become more involved in his community. Rotary quickly gave him exactly that opportunity.

“I became involved in projects both locally and internationally, some hands-on, some focused on fundraising, some small and some much larger. It was just what I had been looking for.”

But service was only part of what David found. Alongside the projects came fellowship, friendship and the opportunity to meet like-minded people, share experiences and learn from one another.

Over the years, David also took on leadership roles within Rotary. Those opportunities broadened his horizons, enabled him to travel, and deepened his understanding of Rotary as a truly worldwide organisation.

“Rotary showed me how people working together can help make both our communities and the wider world a better place.”

More than 50 years later, David’s commitment to Rotary remains as strong as ever. Although he is now more limited in what he can personally take on, he continues to be encouraged by the enthusiasm and energy of today’s club members.

“I am so grateful that I am still included and supported by the club. Seeing members continue to serve with such enthusiasm gives me enormous encouragement.”

More than five decades of service, friendship and shared purpose.

“I first came to Rotary through friendship. More than 30 years later, it is the friendships, fellowship and opportunity to make a difference that have kept me here.”

My connection with Rotary began long before I realised it.

Back in 1962, I joined the Territorial Army with the South Notts Hussars Yeomanry in Bulwell. My Battery Commander was John Robinson, and although I left the TA in 1970, John and I remained friends for many years.

Then, in 1992, John invited me along to a Monday lunchtime meeting of the Rotary Club of Nottingham at the Victoria Station Hotel. I discovered a welcoming group of people, including several familiar faces, and after a few weeks I was invited to join.

You might say the rest is history – literally!

One of the things I have valued most about Rotary is the support members have given to the causes that matter to me. My lifelong involvement with Scouting has always been encouraged by fellow Rotarians, and through Rotary I also became a Trustee of the Oliver Hind Boys Club in Sneinton, where I served for 30 years.

Rotary friends have supported some of my slightly more ambitious ideas too! In 2011, I walked the 276-mile Pennine Way, raising £9,000 to help young people from Nottingham attend the World Scout Jamboree. Ten years later, my 108-mile “Walk for Walesby” along the Robin Hood Way raised £25,000 to help Walesby Forest through the effects of the pandemic.

There has also been plenty of fun along the way – including years of square dancing fundraisers, where I have had the pleasure of calling the dances and watching carefully organised formations occasionally descend into complete chaos!

From the Christmas Sleigh and Poppy Appeal to carol services, walking challenges, youth projects and fundraising, Rotary has given me countless opportunities to enjoy fun, food and fellowship while doing something worthwhile for our community.

That, for me, is Service Above Self.

When our President Dianne first came to Rotary, it wasn't even her idea. "A colleague at work had been invited along by PDG John Bendall and asked if I'd like to come too."

Her colleague decided Rotary wasn't for them but Dianne never left!

What began as a curiosity soon became an opportunity to give something back to the community, while finding something unexpected in return. "I've made some really good friends through Rotary – people you can count on. I've built lifelong friendships, valuable business contacts and, above all, we've had a lot of fun together."

Dianne's enthusiasm and boundless energy quickly became legendary and she's never been one to stand still. This year marks her second term as President of the Rotary Club of Nottingham, but she still remembers her first with great affection. "PDG David and Judith Power were incredible mentors. We met for dinner every month and they taught me everything I needed to know about Rotary."

Dianne has also had the privilege of organising the club's spectacular 100th Charter Celebration, welcoming around 400 guests to celebrate a century of service in Nottingham.

Despite the many roles she's undertaken, the moments that stay with her most are often the simplest. "I absolutely love our Christmas parties for families living in temporary accommodation. Seeing the excitement on the children's faces, knowing that life isn't always easy for them, really puts everything into perspective. It makes you count your blessings."

Rotary isn't Dianne's only way of giving back. Alongside a demanding career as Corporate Relationship Director at NatWest, she also volunteers as Chair of Governors at a local school and gives her time each year to help at the Lexus Nottingham Open Tennis Championships every year.

For Dianne, service isn't something you do occasionally, it's simply part of who you are.

“I’ve seen what one classroom, one meal, and one adult who reliably turns up can do for a child’s sense of what’s possible. That’s what service means to me: not grand gestures, but small, steady acts that quietly widen someone’s world.”

And her message to anyone thinking about joining Rotary?

“Come along. You don’t need a grand plan or a spare fortune. You only need a willingness to turn up and offer whatever you’re good at.”

Abbie-Gayle describes Rotary as a room full of people quietly making Nottingham better, and a place where service, friendship and belonging come together.

People join Rotary for all sorts of reasons. And very often, what they find is much more than they expected.

For Rotarian Cat Humphreys, it started with wanting to give something back to her community.

“As my son grew older and life opened up again, I finally had the space to do something just for me. I wanted to be part of something meaningful.

What has kept me involved are the friendships I’ve made, unexpected, genuine and deeply valued. Being part of a group where I feel supported not just in Rotary projects, but in life as a whole, means more than I ever anticipated.”

Some of Cat’s favourite Rotary memories have involved her son too, including spending a volunteering day together clearing and tidying a community garden.

“It showed him that Rotary really can be a family affair. We were doing something useful together, but we were also making memories.”

And, as Chair of our Children of Courage Committee, one project holds an especially important place in Cat’s heart.

“The Children of Courage Awards have been incredibly special.
Seeing the joy on the faces of the children and their families, and having the opportunity to celebrate such remarkable young people, really brings home the impact Rotary can have.”

For Cat, Rotary has brought new friendships, greater confidence, a sense of purpose and the chance to make a very real difference in her community.

Her advice to anyone wondering whether Rotary might be for them?

“Follow your curiosity. Visit a few clubs, find the one that feels right and go for it, you won’t regret it.”

That’s why we do what we do

Rotary isn’t simply about volunteering. It’s about people, friendship, purpose and belonging, and there’s always room for someone new.

Bruce holds one of the most important roles in our club: Captain Fun. It is our name for the club’s Social Secretary, the person who helps make sure Rotary is not only about service and fundraising, but also friendship, laughter and enjoying time together.

For Bruce, though, one of his most memorable Rotary experiences came from a very practical community initiative: offering free blood pressure checks. At the time, Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland was working with the Stroke Association to encourage clubs to help people identify high blood pressure before it led to more serious health problems.

The Rotary Club of Beeston took the checks out to local fêtes and gala days over a number of years.

Then, one year, a lady returned to their tent. “She showed us a scar on her neck and explained that we had taken her blood pressure the previous year. It had been higher than normal, so we advised her to visit her GP.” Further investigations revealed that she had a thyroid problem which required surgery.

For Bruce, it was a powerful reminder that even a small act of service can have a profound impact.

“What a buzz that gave me, knowing that through one simple check she had received the treatment she needed.”

Bruce may now be responsible for bringing the fun to club life, but his story captures something equally important about Rotary: service can be simple, practical and quietly life-changing.

“For me, joining Rotary was about becoming more involved.

Like many businesses, we have sponsored good causes, paid for football kits and supported marathon runners. But I wanted to do more than simply make a donation, I wanted to give my time and play an active part in helping others.

After Paul invited me along, Rotary felt like a great opportunity to become part of something that makes a meaningful contribution to the community.

I have only been a member for just over a year, which is a relatively short time compared with many people in the club, but it has already been a positive experience. Seeing how much other members do has reminded me that there are so many people who genuinely want to make a difference.

It has restored my faith in people a little, and it is great to be part of something that is making a positive contribution.”

“I first joined Rotary because I had friends who were members, and I felt it was time to give something back to my local community.

What has kept me involved is the incredible variety of projects and, just as importantly, the great friendships I have made along the way.

One moment I will never forget is our first children’s Christmas party. Seeing the faces of the children and their parents made all the hard work completely worthwhile. The Christmas parties remain especially meaningful to me because I can be personally involved, and I also love marshalling the RH Marathon.

Rotary has given my confidence a real boost. I have made lifelong friends who have supported me and, occasionally, pushed me beyond my comfort zone!

For me, service is about the feeling of giving something back and the sense of achievement that comes from helping others.

To anyone thinking about joining Rotary, I would simply say: go for it, you won’t regret it!”