Rotary was formed in 1905 and crossed the Atlantic to England in 1911. The Rotary Club of Saffron Walden received its Charter in 1925 and is one of the earliest Club's formed in the UK.. In 1924 six people travelled to Clacton one Sunday for a joyride after church. They were Carl Engelmann, Edmund Kett and Loftus Cox, with their respective wives. Walking along the promenade Carl described the new movement to which he had been introduced on a visit to the United States of America and asked his companions if they would join him to form a club in the town. That Sunday trip led to the founding of the Rotary Club of Saffron Walden. Its meeting place for thirty years was the Abbey Hotel (now Abbey House) in the town. Other venues have included Ye Auld Hoose, The Eight Bells, The Gala Rooms, Golf Driving Range Club House and for the last twenty years, The Saffron Hotel (formerly Ye Auld Hoose), High Street Saffron Walden. The membership has, and still includes a good cross section of local business and professional men from the town and surrounding district. The club meetings consist of a meal, an address by invited speakers on a wide range of subjects and fellowship. Through it's Committees the Club fulfils the Aims and Objects of Rotary, offering practical help and funding to those in need as well as playing an active role in the life of the local community. The Club founded the Over 60's Club in 1949, The Probus Club during the ninety's, The Roteract Club in 1979 and spanning all generations The Interact Club at the County High School a few years ago. International projects have included the support of young refugees, foreign visits and hosting overseas Clubs. Socially there have been trips to the theatre, horse & dog racing, visits to Duxford Museum & Audley End House, District Quizzes, Golf, Snooker and Bowls matches. The Club has helped at other events including The Carnival and the annual Firework display. The Rotary Club of Saffron Walden continues to flourish as it completes it's eighth decade. Bruce Munro   The following is copied from a summary of the Club Minutes by Rotarian Arthur Gatward. The Rotary Club of Saffron Walden was formed in 1924, chiefly through the efforts of Mr C G Engelmann Senior and several of his friends, in conjunction with Rotarian E Saville Peck, President of the Rotary Club of Cambridge. The first business meeting was held at the Abbey Hotel on 10th December 1924. Twelve members were present and the following officers elected:- Mr C G Engelmann Senior Elected President Mr H L Cox Elected Secretary Mr P L Allen Elected Treasurer The Standard Constitution of Rotary was the first subject discussed. Territorial limits of the Club were defined as those of the Borough of Saffron Walden. An entrance fee of £1 10/- and an annual subscription of £1 10/- were agreed. The whole of the Standard Constitution was adopted. The Byelaws were amended and adopted. The first speaker was the President, Rotarian C G Engelmann Senior, who gave a paper on "The Back to the Land Problem". A resolution was passed for inclusion at the next Annual Conference of RIBI in the name of Rotarian C G Engelmann. The Charter dated 16th March 1925, was presented by Rotarian C G Bensusan Butt, assisted by Rotarian E Saville Peck of the Cambridge Club, on 16th July 1925. A luncheon meeting on 16th February 1926 had many visitors, when Canon Thompson Elliott spoke on "Fellowship, Vocation and Service". Musical honours were accorded. Several members gave papers and addressed the Club during the first year from 10th December 1924 to 17th March 1926. For the Rotary year 1926-1927 the following officers were elected:- Mr W E Hart Elected President Mr H L Cox Elected Secretary Mr P L Allen Elected Treasurer Territorial limits were extended to the area covered by Saffron Walden Rural District Council. Club meetings were held on the evening of the second and fourth Wednesday in the month, except in June, July, August and September, when meetings were held on the 4th Wednesday. The annual subscription was £1 10/- for the first year and £1 15/- for subsequent years. A donation of £2 2/0 was made to the local Boy Scout Group. The duties of the "Aims and Objects Committee" were carried out by the Council. The following committees were formed with at least five members: "Membership and Fellowship" and "Programme". The first Ladies' Night was held in the Town Hall on 8th December 1926. A resolution was sent to RIBI "This Club objects to any further increases in per Capita Tax and considers the time has come to revert to 15/-, any increase of this sum has deterrent effects on smaller clubs". Club members, Rotarians from other clubs and other speakers gave papers on a wide range of subjects and events during the year, with an average attendance of 60.8%. This document is the copyright of The Rotary Club of Saffron Walden