THE ROTARY CLUB OF EXMOUTH & DISTRICT CHARTERED 15TH DECEMBER I925 90 YEARS of SERVICE ABOVE SELF Page 1 Acknowledgment and Credits Dear Reader Initially, starting to compile a History of our Rotary Club over 90 years seemed a daunting task. However with the help of club archivists many of our records have been preserved and have enabled us to put together what we hope will be an interesting document for your enjoyment. The early years were recorded by President Eric Delderfield (President 1935/36; 1946/47;1955/56 and 1971/72 with Secretary, Willian Godfrey (President 1930/31) From the 25th Anniversary up to 1975, the 50 years of Service was researched by Bill Trigger OBE (President 1966/67 ) and Club Correspondent Glyn Spooner. Moving into more ‘Modern’ times the records from 1975 until 2000 were compiled by Rotarian (archivist) Douglas Battersby (President 1992/93), transcribed (and occasionally edited) by Rotarian Derek Taylor (President 1996/97) printed and published by Rotarian Cliff Lenn (President 2000/01). The final editing was by Rotarian Eric Watts (President 1982/83). So most of the work had been done, a few more photos have been added from lost albums and with the help of Rotarian (Archivist) Dick Bishop (President 2010/11) and Rotarian Frank Hart-Venn (President 2004/2005) who has researched the last 15 years and Rotarian Michael Weathrall-King and Sandy Lenn who had the unenviable task of having to proof read the whole document. Thank you to all of these Rotarians for their hard work and giving of their time to recognise this very successful Rotary Club, my job was made easy and collating all of the old documents together into this booklet was comparatively straight forward. My final thanks to Rotarian Tony Alexander who as the Principal of the Exmouth Community College enabled us to use many of their facilities in compiling this new document. Rotarian Malcolm Pressey (President 2006/2007; Hon Secretary 2015) Exmouth Community College : 2015 A K Alexander BA Hons (Principal) Was appointed Principal of Exmouth Community College in January 2002 his third Headship following one in Birmingham and then Plymouth. Exmouth Community College is a very large (2500) 11-19 comprehensive school with 170 teachers and 175 support staff. The sixth form numbers over six hundred studying for a variety of exams mostly A Levels. Last year over ninety students went to university including Russell Group and Oxford and Cambridge. The school caters for children of all abilities, interests and aptitudes, recent Ofsted Report (2013) said it is ‘A good school with many outstanding features – where the behaviour is exemplary and it is a remarkably harmonious school’. The College enjoys a good reputation locally and are the first choice school for the fifteen feeder primary schools and is now also renowned for its sporting prowess and its excellent music, drama, art and dance all of which are regularly exhibited in a wide range of fixtures, concerts, performances and productions. Tony Alexander joined the Rotary Club of Exmouth in 2003 the school and individual students have benefited enormously from this support both as a community and individually. In total Rotary have contributed over £10,000 to the college, but equally importantly have included the College in a wide variety of sponsorships and competitions. These have included sponsoring awards evenings, hosting Youth Speaks, Young Musician of the Year, Young Chef of the Year and Young Photographer of the Year,. The Rotary Club have supported students going abroad to work as community volunteers in Africa, the Himalayas and Moldova. Helped our sports teams, sponsored large summer concerts at the Pavilion and provided funds for a variety of equipment. It has been a most fruitful partnership and one that I am very proud to be part of. AK Alexander Page 2 Exmouth Grammar School The Grange in 1926 President 1928-1929 D’Arcy Hughes MR. D'ARCY W. A. HUGHES, BA(Cantab), BA(London). (President 1928-1929) The first Headmaster of the Exmouth Grammar School, who for 28 years "fathered" its growth and development; one who, from the beginning, guided the transformation of "The Grange" from a private residence into an up to date school, and, what is more, gave the pupils the ideas and ideals implicit in a Grammar School education. Mr. D'Arcy Hughes moved to Exmouth in 1921, and on May 3rd he commenced his life's work as Headmaster of the newly formed Grammar School. He came in the prime of life, fresh from a Headmaster- ship in Yorkshire, to bring fine gifts of scholarship and first class administrational ability. The School continued to grow and Mr. Hughes was able to secure the addition of the Gymnasium in 1925, followed by the Woodwork, Domestic Science, and Art rooms, and finally with 1938 the New Building. The thriving Preparatory Department filled an important part in preparation for membership of the Senior School, but this valuable adjunct was "snuffed out" by the terms of the new Education Act in 1945 and the School was the poorer for its loss, as Mr. Hughes was the first to admit. He will be remembered for the many facets of his character and interest. To many he was a martinet who set a high standard and would not move from it, to others an Historian absorbed in the cycle of events, and the pattern of man's cultural progress. To some, the President, who long after school days were over still kept a lively interest in the careers and lives of his old pupils to all pupils, past and present, the Headmaster who always demanded, expected, and believed, the best of each. The Staff saw him in a different relationship, one of firm friendliness, asking no more than he was always prepared to give, and setting a high standard of achievement in front of them, and ever encouraging those who may have been dismayed by his idealism. His devotion to School was a byword, scarcely a day of any holidays passed without the Head being seen on the premises. To him the School owes its beginnings, and its present virility, a great Headmaster, a great Teacher, and a great Friend to many. He also found time to support the newly chartered Rotary Club in Exmouth and formed part of the formation Committee. Page 3 President's Message As a newcomer to Exmouth, and President of this club during its 90th year celebrations it is indeed an honour and pleasure for me to pen these few words on behalf of the Rotary Club of Exmouth & District. Ninety years of service of any club is bound to be filled with many projects combined with many hours of personal service. Our club was formed during 1925 by a group of local businessmen and has flourished over the years. Each and every Rotarian has contributed in his or her own way. During these ninety years the world around us has seen many changes, and Exmouth continues to grow. Organisations like Rotary are here to help those less fortunate than ourselves within this growing society. In these days of rapid change, it is up to us to maintain the highest traditions, and be ever mindful of the needs of others, and whilst enjoying the present years, we must all look forward with optimism for the next fifty years. Yours in Rotary Simon P. Wood President 2015-2016 Page 4 A MESSAGE FROM RIBI PAST PRESIDENT BRIAN STOYEL District Governor 1175 As e pode the futue eeship of ou geat ogaisaio, ho pleasat to akoledge the th ithda of a lu, ith oiuig ahieeets i hih its ees, past ad peset, a jusiial e poud. Thei seie i pooig peae ad goodill, duig that peiod, has see the distit ikeed ith fo easos peailig at the ie. We stated i as Distit ith the Rota Clu of Eouth iauguated i . Distit ues ee haged i ith the addiio of the ase , thus Distit . Eouth, uite poudl, has stog liks ith the Distit – Fo - Jiie Southo as Distit Goeo; I Rotaia Ke Ato, although oigiall fo Hoito, late eae a ee ad Pesidet of Eouth; sa the lu podue its seod Distit Goeo, Ei Wats, oeseeig the diisio of the distit ito , i hih Eouth esides, ad . Aothe eight eas passed he aothe Eouth Rotaia, D Adia Luo, took the Distit Goeo’s hai. No, hee e ae eleaig duig the eoiliaio of futhe hage, a eesal to Distit , i the guise of Distit . The lu is a geat edit to the Rota Iteaioal oeet fo poidig leadeship i RIBI ad distit; its isio ad pojets suppoig iteaioal, aioal ad loal ouiies; its fudig fo ou Rota Foudaio ad, ot least, Ed Polio No. Though this lu, a Rotaias, pates ad fieds hae ejoed so uh felloship, fiedship ad fu hih ill, I a sue, oiue. O ehalf of ou Distit, please aept ogatulaios ad siee ishes fo a oe odial ad fuiful eas. Sieel President Simon and members of Exmouth & District Rotary Club. The members of the Inner Wheel Club of Exmouth are delighted to join me in congratulating you and your members on reaching your 90th Anniversary Well done ! We have been strong supporters in your many successful activities in Exmouth and District and we shall continue to work with you as appropriate. One of your recent and very successful innovations has been the annual Kite Festival. We look forward to more good results together at the 2016 event in August. We wish you well with your membership drive, we are also constantly looking for new members to join our club.