On 9th May 1938, the Rotary Club of Alnwick was formed and received its Charter.
Tristram W. Hayward, Agent to the Duke of Northumberland, had approached and persuaded some 30 or so local people to accept an invitation to join. Tristram was elected as the Club’s first President.
In 1952, the Club was responsible for the foundation of the Round Table Club of Alnwick and has enjoyed a close relationship ever since.
Over the years we have collected hundreds of thousands of pounds for charities and organisations operating on a local, national and international level, including the Great North Air Ambulance, local schools, HospiceCare North Northumberland and the End Polio Now Initiative.
Currently, we are flourishing with 47 active members including six local businesses who are on board as Corporate members and we continue to work together to make a difference where it matters.
Our meeting place has links to The Titanic. We're not joking.
We meet in the Olympic Suite of the White Swan Hotel in Alnwick. This magnificent room has the original panelling, mirrors, ceiling and stained glass salvaged from the first class lounge of RMS Olympic, the sister ship of the Titanic. The lounge, identical to that on the Titanic was described as 'a magnificent salon, the finest ever built on a ship'. At the entrance to the Hotel is the original revolving door, that was fitted to the Olympic's first class restaurant entrance. This was planned to keep sea breezes out of the room! The Olympic's fittings were dismantled in 1936 and the then owner of the White Swan purchased the fittings and had them installed in the hotel.