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Past President Dan passes on the Presidential Chain of Office to Sophie alongside President Elect Sharon and President Nominee Haydn
Our First Lady President, Sophie sends this message
Whether you are a long-time supporter of Rotary, visiting us for the first time, or simply curious about what we do, I am delighted you have found us.
It is a great privilege to serve as President of Wellington Rotary Club this year, and I am especially honoured to do so as the first female President in our club’s 97-year history. While this is a proud milestone, what matters most is the opportunity to lead a club whose members are united by a shared commitment to service, friendship, and making a positive difference in our community.
Rotary is about people coming together to create lasting change. At Wellington Rotary Club, we are passionate about supporting local initiatives, contributing to international projects, and building strong connections through fellowship and service. We believe that even small acts, when combined with the dedication of many, can have a meaningful impact.
Our club welcomes people from all walks of life who share a desire to give back, make new friends, develop new skills, and become part of something bigger than themselves. Whether you’re interested in becoming a member, volunteering at one of our events, partnering with us on a community project, or simply learning more about Rotary, we would love to hear from you.
I hope this website gives you an insight into who we are, what we do, and the difference we are making together. Better still, come along to one of our meetings or events—you’ll always receive a warm Wellington Rotary welcome.
Thank you for visiting, and I look forward to meeting you.
and her autumn update ….
Where does the time go? It hardly seems possible that I have now been in office for several months, and what a busy and memorable start to my year it has been. Taking office on 26th June 2026 was a milestone for both our Club and for me. Being invited to become the first female President of the Rotary Club of Wellington really is a testament to all our Members and the positive changes we have embraced together. I have never once felt compromised in being female; I have only ever been made to feel welcome and supported within our Club.
My year began with some sadness following the loss of David Tomkinson and Geoff Ward. As we moved into the summer, however, we quickly found ourselves immersed in a busy programme of events, activities and opportunities to support our local community. I am hopeful that this will be the beginning of a positive and settled year for our Club. Thank you to everyone for being so welcoming, supportive and for helping to get me off to such a good start.
Having our good friend and fellow Rotarian Paul Rhodes join us on Zoom was a particularly meaningful moment for me. Paul has, of course, been hugely influential in my legal career, as well as in my journey as a Rotarian. The summer certainly gave us plenty to get involved with. Peter Seward and I attended the Lingen Davies annual garden party at Cosford Grange, hosted by Dr Graham Wynn OBE and his wife Jenny Wynn OBE. It was a real honour to be part of the celebrations as Lingen Davies reached the incredible milestone of raising £1 million in the first 12 months of its Sunflower campaign, bringing vital cancer support to Telford.
We also attended the Shropshire Community Foundation afternoon, which was another incredibly enjoyable and humbling event. Hearing from such a wide range of local charities, groups and organisations about both their successes and the challenges they face gave me plenty to think about and reflect on in relation to our own work as a Club.
Wrekin Eatin’ Festival was another highlight of the summer. It was my first time attending, and what a vibrant event it is for our town and community. To see the Cricket Club put together such a successful event was wonderful, and I understand it continues to grow year on year. We already have next year’s date in the diary, and the Club is keen to continue working with us, as ever.
Our Gateway BBQ was another fantastic evening. Dancing, celebrating and simply having fun together reminded me just how important the social side of Rotary is. It is such a special event in our calendar that I have already expressed my wish to hold another social event during my year – perhaps a Valentine’s disco. Watch this space!
Another particularly special event was the BCS Shropshire Women in Tech evening, where Jane, Sharon and I were invited by Rhian Corbett- Young to represent our Club. It was a wonderful opportunity to talk about how our Rotary Club has supported and encouraged positive change for women in the area. Sharon did a sterling job with the catering, while Vic and Rhian made us feel incredibly welcome – and, dare I say, rather like celebrities!
I look forward to exploring how we can work more closely with BCS in the future and exchange opportunities, not only for ourselves but also for the people and organisations we come across through our work. Watch this space!
We have also had a strong start to our speaker programme, including our visit from DG Don Lovejoy early in the Rotary year. All of this has been alongside hosting my first Council meeting so it has certainly been a busy few months!
I feel that I am now starting to settle into the groove and am turning my attention to some of the ideas discussed (or perhaps threatened!) during my Club Assembly address. It is time to start getting stuck in. A number of our Club members are navigating so many things in their own lives – health, family arrangements and outside commitments.
I continue to be in awe of the quiet support and generosity you show one another, as well as the
support you have shown me while I navigate fulltime work, running a business, hosting a podcast
and, generally, trying to be around for my family. Your understanding and patience with
communications is hugely appreciated. Never be afraid to pull me up on things or question me. I
love a “to-do” list, but I often need a gentle reminder or nudge!
Thank you all for your kindness, support and enthusiasm. It has been a wonderful start to my year, and I look forward to seeing where the coming months take us.
Additional styles of membership
Did you know that Rotary is looking to return to its roots as businesses and other organisations become Corporate Members? A business/organisation can join as a member of an existing club or several in a community may choose to form a new club.
One individual of the business/organisation becomes a full member of the club and up to three others from the business/organisation can also enjoy the fellowship of the club and participate in all club events.
Individuals who do not feel that club life is for them are able to join the Rotary family as a Direct Member. Direct Members will be registered with a District Hub. The Hub will keep them informed of projects and events in the local area being run or assisted by Rotary which they can choose to participate in.
If you are non-member reading this and would like to learn more about Rotary in Wellington and around the world, please contact us.
Wellington Rotary meets at The Pheasant Inn at Admaston (TF5 0AD) for its weekly Friday lunchtime meeting at 1pm.
Forthcoming Meetings
and Events
Can’t attend in person?
We provide an opportunity for members of Wellington Rotary, members of other Rotary groups and guests to participate in the meeting using ZOOM. If you would like to attend remotely using ZOOM, please contact the Club by following this link.
Tuesday 10 November – Club Council@1700 – The Pheasant
Friday 13 November – The Pheasant @1300 – Dan Scollard-Kerr, Remembrance & Business/Information meeting
Friday 20 November – The Pheasant@1300 – Jenny Wynn, Vice Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire
Friday 27 November – The Pheasant@1300 – TBA
Friday 4 December – The Pheasant@1300 – SGM
Tuesday 8 December – Club Council@1700 – The Pheasant
Friday 11 December – The Pheasant @1300 – Christmas Lunch
Friday 18 December – The Pheasant@1300 – Business and Information meeting
Christmas Day – no meeting
New Years Day – no meeting
Saturday 13 March 2027 Lingen Davies Spring Ball, Morrell Woods Farm, Leighton
As Past President Tom Farmer always used to say the club diary “is subject to alteration without notification” !