The Rotary Club of Halesowen and Rowley Regis, a historic community group, has shut down after 91 years of charity work across the Black Country, nationally, and internationally. The decision was made due to an inability to find volunteers for essential administrative roles.
Final Celebration and Legacy
More than 50 people gathered at Halesowen College for a final celebration to honor the club's achievements. Former leaders Steve Jones and Dave Poston highlighted the group's role in establishing the local Business Improvement District (BID) and transforming Halesowen into a dementia-friendly town.
Rotarian Sue Hannaford said: "Thanks to the dedication of our membership, we were able to keep the club running for about three years longer than when closure was first considered. This enabled us to celebrate our 90th anniversary and complete our final community project."
Reason for Closure
Hannaford added: "However, it was not possible any longer to fill the administrative posts required to keep the club active. It was with great regret therefore that a resolution for closure was passed unanimously. However, this is not the end as those of us dedicated to Rotary have transferred to direct membership and will still be active in the community."
Community Projects and Awards
Over nearly a century, the club completed an incredibly diverse list of projects, including: running a mushroom trail to the pixie door in the cage, holding school orchestra concerts at Cornbow Hall, setting up mock interviews for school leavers, sponsoring the Young Chef of the Year competition, supporting youth speaking competitions, backing a local special needs football tournament, providing televisions and gift parcels for children at Blackheath Women's Aid refuge, funding the Kids Out initiative, sponsoring 10 underprivileged children for holidays in Mablethorpe, financing international aid through ShelterBox, WaterAid, Sightsavers, and Mercy Ships, joining Halesowen in Bloom campaigns, funding a new kitchen for Hasbury Community Centre, and upgrading toilets at Abbey Road Allotments.
Special presentations were made to president Pam Arrowsmith for her leadership, which saved the organization three years ago and protected the popular annual Santa Sleigh tours. She also launched the Halesowen Rotary Phoenix Business Forum to attract new members. Vice president Matt Hickenbottom was praised for providing vital technical support to keep the group visible online.
Awards also went to Ian Heaford and his son Dan Heaford for hosting meetings at their Cradley Heath premises. Volunteers Steve Abraham, Steve Roberts, and Nathan Wheeler received recognition for their hard work. Several members were awarded the prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship, named after one of the four founders of the Rotary movement, honoring outstanding commitment to helping others locally and abroad. The awards were handed over by district governor Jonathan Wilding and local MP Alex Ballinger. Barry Wheeler received the Community Champion Award from MP Alex Ballinger.
The club's legacy continues through its members who have transferred to direct membership and remain active in the community. More information is available at www.rotarygbi.org.
