Formed by Rotary Club of Bournemouth - 1923.
At its foundation, the club had many prominent citizens among
its members. The 1923 List of Members and Classifications:
Adams C Hotel Manager, Royal Hotel.
Agnew C E A Ironmonger, Bordage.
Arnold S H Motor Car Dealer, Manor Place.
Barnett H Ship Owner, Candie.
Bean T R Inventor, Vale.
Beghin L C Footwear Specialist, High Street.
Beer W J Banker, Commercial Bank, High Street.
TREASURER Blampied C B Bulb Grower, La Fosse.
Bird A G Tramways Engineer, Les Banques. VICE
PRESIDENT Bird W J Commission Agent, The Pier.
Brice A H Jeweller, Arcade.
Brooks H Quarry Manager, St Sampson's.
Carey C de Lisle Medical Practicioner, New Street.
Carey Very Revd D F Dean of Guernsey.
Chilcott R J Butcher, Market.
Creasey B B Draper, High Street.
Collins H H Grocer, High Street.
Corbet J.T. Quarry Owner, Vale.
De La Mare W H Outfitter, Beehive.
De La Rue F H Chemist & Optician, States Arcade.
Edwards P H Poulterer, States Arcade.
Elliott A L Wine Merchant, Bucktrout & Co. VICE
PRESIDENT Eveson J J Advertising Manager, The Star.
Falla C R Wireless Expert, Mont Plaisant.
Fuzzey L C Furniture Dealer, Mill Street.
Frossard Revd E L Clerk in Holy Orders, St
Sampson's.
Gaved T Picture Framer, Arcade. ASSISTANT SECRETARY
Grut N Photographer, Pollet.
Guilbert T O Architect, Ls Varendes.
Harris A H LMS Railway Agent, Esplanade.
Howitt C W Hon. Sec. Chamber of Commerce.
Hamson J A Artist, St James Street.
Head G Haulier, Vrangue.
Henderson Capt W L Box Manufacturer, Esplanade.
Hickey Revd T G Clerk in Holy Orders, St Joseph's.
Kerr J Theatre Manager, St Julian's.
Lovell W D M House Furnisher, Smith Street.
Le Page E D Manager, Anglo-American Oil Co,
Rocquettes.
Le Patourel H A H.M. Comptroller, Court Row.
Leroy H L Printer, Smith Street.
Luff F A President, Chamber of Commerce.
Mann E J W Vegetable Grower, St Andrew's.
Marquand A J Motor Omnibus Manager, Fountain Street.
Marshall A Tomato Grower, Collings Road.
Martineau G Grape Grower, Broomfield Vineries,
Collings Road.
Ozanne I Shipping, Court Row.
Pierce J Postmaster, Smith Street.
Penney Revd W C Principal, Elizabeth College.
Peek F F Newspaper Manager, Smith Street.
Peek G F Director of Public Companies, Delancey.
FIRST PRESIDENT Randell W B Ecrivain, Bank Chambers,
High Street.
Roussel A J Deputy Greffier, Royal Court.
Sherwill A J Advocate, Manor Place.
Smith W H Life Insurance Agent, Doyle Road.
SECRETARY
Stonelake C Chemist, Smith Street.
Stranger J J Mineral Water Manufacturer, Truchot.
Straw A R Coal Dealer, Phoenix Mills.
Thomas F W Chartered Accountant, New Street.
Thorne F C Windmill Engineer, South Esplanade.
Travers J L Restaurant Proprietor, Smith Street.
Van Der Sluys C F A Dutch Vice Consul, St Margaret's
Lodge.
Watkin W W Chief Constable, Lefebvre Street.
Whales F Provision Merchant (Wholesale) Murdoch's
Stores.
Wheadon H G Cigarette Manufacturer, Bucktrout & Co,
High Street.
Young P B Miller, St John's..
Honorary Members :-
Sir John E Capper KCB, KCVO, Lieut. Governor.
Sir H W De Sausmarez, Bailiff of Guernsey.
A Founder Members' Booklet explained to the new Rotarians some
of the advantages of membership. The Benefits were:
Making the acquaintance of men you ought to know. Genuine,
wholesome good-fellowship. Developing true and helpful friends.
Enlightenment as to other men's work, problems and successes.
Education in methods that increase efficiency. Stimulation of
your desire to be of service to your fellow men and society in
general.
There were also Obligations:
To attend meetings regularly. To pay dues promptly. To do one's
part when called upon. To be a big-hearted, broad-minded man - a
man of energy and action - a real man - a Rotarian.
It was also pointed out that there were advantages of a Limited
Membership.
1. Representative and Efficient Membership. Such a plan is
representative of the community and at the same time it is
impossible for membership to become so large and unwieldy as to
make difficult the promotion of acquaintance and intimate
friendship among members.
2.Concerted Action Easy. United action by the club is much
easier than with a large, cumbersome membership.
3. Ideal Forum for Discussion. A club composed of one member
representing each business or profession becomes an ideal forum
for the consideration and discussion of public questions and all
matters pertaining to the public and to the various trades and
professions.
4.Clique Rule made Difficult. No one profession or allied
professions can become numerically strong enough in the club to
dominate it.
5. Provides avenue for the removal of 'deadheads'. This plan
provides a basis upon which to establish and maintain the
membership so that the club can insist on regular attendance and
active participation or the surrender of membership to someone
else in the same line of business.
6.Individual member Benefit. The Business and Professional
man is given a more sympathetic understanding of other
businesses and professions, thus lifting him out of the narrow
rut of his own business routine and giving him suggestions and
information obtainable in no other way.
A VISIT BY PAUL HARRIS
One of the first major events of the Guernsey Club was the visit
of Paul Harris in 1937.
This took place in July 1937. He said that as his wife came
from Edinburgh they had some direct connection with the British
Isles and they had been thinking for a long time of visiting the
island since this was the home of the world-famed Guernsey cow
and for a time was the home of
Victor Hugo. He said that Rotary
was gradually spreading throughout the world and there was
originally an impression in America that Rotary couldn't be
established in England because Englishmen didn't have that 'get
together' idea that characterised the average American' but
experience had proved that wrong.
He extended his good wishes to the Guernsey Club and said
that as a very active club they should realise their
responsibility to other Clubs. He called attention to Jersey
with its fortnightly meetings and expressed the view that we
could help to remedy matters by getting them into line with
other Clubs (!)
A VISIT BY PRI CLEM RENOUF
Visit by Clem Renouf, President of Rotary International. This
took place in 1979 on the initiative of Club President Bob
Chilcott (Junior) and he joined us for lunch at the Royal Hotel.
Since he had a Guernsey surname it gave him great pleasure to be
able to trace his ancestry.
ACTIVITIES
Boys' Camps were held at Rocquaine between the Wars and in 1952
contact was made with the Rotary Clubs of Stepney and Poplar and
camps using marquees were re-started on a site between Grandes
Rocques and Cobo. They were plentifully supplied with tomatoes,
potatoes, meat and straw for the palliasses the boys slept on.
The Revd. Jimmy Butterworth was a Rotarian who knew Bob Chilcott
senior through the Brock Road Methodist Church and he ran youth
clubs in Poplar and Stepney and arranged with the club to bring
his lads to Guernsey. Two young schoolmasters, Harry Bisson and
Bob Gill, both of whom became headmasters and in Harry Bisson's
case a Jurat, helped to run the camps. Rotarian Bertram Bartlett
married into the Luff family and ran the Luff grocery stores
that were the forerunner of the Island Wide Stores. He was one
of several Rotarians who were appointed Jurats.
Christmas parcels were started soon after the Liberation and
goods were supplied by Luff & Co. This is funded from an annual
Flag Day held on the Saturday that Father Christmas comes to
town and last year almost £7,500 was collected. Fuel vouchers
are now included which can be traded in for coal, gas,
electricity, etc.
Gerve Peek, who was twice President of our Club, met Guide
Dogs for the Blind Organiser Bill Binning during a train journey
in England and this led him to set up a branch in Guernsey. A
number of dogs were supplied to local people.
The Samaritans was set up by the Club with the co-operation
of the Telephone Department, since counsellors initially worked
from their own homes using a telephone transfer system.
Sarnia Housing, was set up by Bob Chilcott senior, who was a
Founder Member and Club President 1954/55 and his involvement
was recognised by the naming of Chilcott House in Havilland
Street shortly after his death. The Association provides a
valuable community service to this day.
Refurbishing of the Men's Lounge at St John's Residential
Home was a regular commitment started by Bob Chilcott Senior,
during his year as President in 1954/55. The commemorative
plaque on the door was polished until it was unreadable and
removed to the Warden's office. She has now been told to what it
refers. Bob senior was a founder member of the Club and,
according to Gerve Peek, was a quiet unassuming man who had
always taken an interest in the elderly. He had been in Rotary
for 31 years before being persuaded to become President and
after his death the Club placed a seat outside the Home in his
memory.
St John Residential Home Fetes.
For many years, Club members assisted in the Home's
fund-raising by manning the various gates for the annual fete at
Saumarez Park.
Twinning with St Malo Club was set up to assist in the
language communication problem. Guernsey formed groups of Club
members and each group circulated round members' house once a
week and were allowed to speak only in French from 8 p.m. until
10 p.m. Each group had a French-speaking Club member attached.
It is questionable whether or not it did much to help us when
confronted by our French visitors colleagues but we had many
enjoyable and often hilarious evenings as a result.
A Sun Lounge at Castel Hospital was provided in the Rotary
year 1965/66.
A Probus Club for retired businessmen was started in the
Rotary Year 1977/78.
A Bird Sanctuary marking the Queen's Silver Jubilee was
opened by the Lieut. Governor in July 1977 near Torteval Church
and a plaque was placed on the wall next to a new gate that we
provided.
Regular Children's Christmas Parties were held. The Ebenezer
Church children brought toys to a special service attended by
Rotarians and these were then wrapped and given out by Father
Christmas at parties in the Ebenezer Church hall.
Tree of Joy was started in 1994 on the initiative of Rotarian
'Jerry' Girard, who had encountered it in Australia during his
travels as an airline pilot. It has taken the place of the
Children's Christmas Parties and a large Christmas tree is
erected at the roundabout at the bottom of St Julian's Avenue
and a smaller one in the Town Church Square. Other Christmas
Tree images are placed at strategic points bearing labels
detailing gifts that would be welcomed by coded children
recipients whose names are obtained via the various welfare
agencies. Members of the public take the labels, buy and wrap
the gifts and return them for distribution.
An Inner Wheel Club was started 30th January 1947 and
Chartered on 24th September 1947. In the early days one of the
ways the ladies helped Rotary was to provide confectionery for
the Boys Clubs. In addition to community service in their own
right they have developed a valuable working relationship
assistance with our Club, now notably with the Tree of Joy.
'Past Rotarians' was formed to enable ex-Rotarians to
continue their links with Rotary. It was initiated by Rotary
Club Presidents Barry Lovell and John Williams and Rotarian
Keith Misselbrook, all of whom were made honorary members. Its
first President in 1969/70 was PDG Arthur White, meetings were
held at the Royal Hotel and the first Past-President of Guernsey
Rotary to become President of Past Rotarians was Bill Green in
1971/72. It still flourishes with monthly meetings at the Idle
Rocks Hotel and supports the Rotary Club in many ways.
The League of Friends of the Princess Elizabeth Hospital was
formed in 1970 and Rotarian Bill Clark was its first Chairman,
assisted by Rotarian Stan Power..
Alderney Rotary Club set up by us in 1980.
Guernesiais Rotary Club was set up by the Guernsey Club in
1994.
Rotaract was set up in 1979 by PP Alec Forty and these young
people gave a lot of very useful service to our community. After
a few years the Rotary Club decided to 'put it on the
back-burner' where it still remains, but some of its ex-members
decided to meet as a Rotaserv Club to continue their community
service work.
Youth Speaks, a public speaking competition for school students
was re-created by John Nettleton and Alec Forty in 1992 using
the St James Concert & Assembly Hall. It goes from strength to
strength and success has been obtained in the Rotary District
Finals.
A Vocational Service Award was created and presented in June
1992 to Pamela Bartlett for her initiative in initiating yearly
'Jumbulance' visits to Lourdes for handicapped people.
District Conferences were held in Guernsey and organised by
this Club in 1972, 1978, 1982, 1987 and 1996.
Many Club members have given service to our community in the
roles of Constables, Douzeniers, Conseillers, Deputies and
Jurats, as well as involvement in many charitable organisations.
The above account has been slightly edited by Basil Lewis from
an original by Guernsey member.
Alec Forty to whom we are very grateful.
Posted 6 November by Historian
Basil Lewis
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