MEMBERS of a Cotswolds Rotary club have celebrated 50 years of work in the community.

A celebration at the Hyde Barn hotel near Stow on Tuesday June 23 saw 90 members of the North Cotswolds Rotary Club, along with the organisation’s national president Peter King, friends and representatives from a number of other groups, celebrate the club’s golden birthday.

Guests were entertained by magician Sam Strange and a performance by The Occasional Big Band while a display of photographs detailing the history of the club was on show.

Former club president Hugh Collins, who was succeeded in the role by Graham Ogden last month, said he was proud to celebrate the landmark.

“North Cotswolds Rotary Club’s 50th anniversary evening was a way of celebrating past achievements," he said. "The club looks forward with enthusiasm to another 50 years of service in the community.”

The club was founded on April 6 1965 with 28 members and its first meeting was held on April 23 the same year. Today it boasts 44 members and meets every Tuesday evening at Stow Rugby Club.

Good work carried out by members over the past 50 years includes organising competitions to encourage young talent as well as Christmas lunches for the elderly and disabled and environmental work. The club also recently raised £5,000 for victims of the Nepal earthquake in April.

A club spokesman said: “Being part of Rotary is more than just giving back to the community by volunteering.

“It is also about you bringing your skills, experience and enthusiasm to help it thrive, whilst making some great friends along the way.

“The club is always looking for new members, and if volunteering to help your community appeals to you then please contact us.”

For more information visit www.NorthCotswoldsRotary.org.uk.