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This site has been built to provide a source of information for fellow Rotarians and to publicise the work that we do.  Rotary is the largest voluntary service organisation for business and professional people, the main objective of which is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise.

The club was chartered in 1969 to serve the Western suburbs of the City of Hull, as part of District 122.  The name of the Club preceded the creation of the County of Humberside by some five years, although that term was certainly in use in the 1830s.  In 1985 a redistribution of clubs put Humberside into District 1270.

Over the years, club membership has rarely exceeded 50 or fallen below 40, and currently stands at 41, some of whom were among the original founders.  Membership embraces a good cross section of those who are in full/part time employment and those who are retired and still pursuing new interests.  Although it has a high average age, the club’s activities in recent years have earned it ‘Presidential Citations’ on several occasions, the latest being in June, 2010, an indication that age need not be a deterrent to service.

The club has provided one District Governor, the late William (Bill) Machin and other members have served the District in various capacities.  Within the club’s boundaries lie the original home and school attended by the late Bill Huntley, RI President 1994-95, who subsequently lived in Lincolnshire and died on 20th February, 2006.

The club does a considerable amount of work with young people.  Current work includes helping local schools with gardening projects, literary competitions, 5-a-side football and mentoring.  In return, the schools have assisted the club in filling several Aquaboxes and over 500 ‘shoeboxes’ each year for less fortunate families in Eastern Europe.

Together with other local Rotary clubs it runs the local Youth Speaks event at Hull University, staging the Regional final this year, and the District 1270 Games for the Disabled at Hymers College, Hull.

Recent vocational visits to Bristol, Guardian Industries, the Hull Truck & New Theatres, the Hull History Centre, with a lunch beforehand, and fund raising events such as a fun quiz evening, wild pigeon shoot and the golf Am/Am competition, all add to the feeling of an active and vibrant Rotary club continuing to enjoy service and fellowship.

The Humberside Inner Wheel Club is one of the stronger clubs in their District.  It provides regular support for the many activities in which the ladies join their Rotary partners; these include a bowls competition, a visit to Amsterdam, the Rotary District Conference in Skegness and, separately, the Association Conference in Cardiff.  The RI Conference in New Orleans was also attended by several members and spouses.  This has led to both clubs having a reputation for their excellent social atmosphere.  Recent major events include concerts at Beverley Minster, featuring the Black Dyke Band, and Ferriby Village Hall featuring the East Riding Police Brass Band.  One way and another, it is never dull at Humberside.

Rotary’s own world-wide charity, Rotary Foundation, which received the 2002 Gates Award for Global Health, is also well supported by the Humberside Club.

The club was invited to become the English host for the History of Rotary Project.  Basil Lewis, a major contributor to this project, has been a member of the Humberside club for many years.  Basil is the author of Paul Harris in Britain, a book about the visits the founder of Rotary made to Britain in the 1920s and 1930s.  This was one of the club’s Centennial Projects.