The Rotary Club of Coventry
Welcome to the Rotary Club of Coventry
Coventry is a cathedral city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands County in England. Coventry has been a large settlement of people for centuries. It is an historic city, founded in the early Middle Ages. Its city status was formally recognised in a charter of 1345. It now has a population of some 365,000, making it the sixth largest city in England. It is famous world- wide for its cathedral and the message of reconciliation that it brings. The City is proud to be a City of Sanctuary. For a lot more about Coventry and its history, see here.
Our President for 2025/26 is Captain David Swain. He writes: The annual themes for each Rotary Year has now been dispensed with and replaced by a more permanent one. This theme is ‘Unite for Good’ and reflects well that collectively we are able to make a far bigger difference than we can ever hope to do as individuals. Rotary International’s commitment to eradicate Polio globally has been reaffirmed with a unimaginable pledge of up to US$450 million and is the best possible example of this. As a club, we are privileged and delighted to support so many local charities, some of which you will have heard of (Myton Hospice, Air Ambulance etc), there are many who you will not have heard of but who do such incredible work in their respective fields. Last year we sponsored the kit for local juniors’ team, Barker Butts RFC, on their spring tour. Beyond charity, the members of the Rotary Club of Coventry enjoy a mutual friendship through our regular lunch meetings as well as other events throughout the year. Membership is open to all and we welcome enquiries to come and see whether we are what you are looking for. Why not join us? David
What is Rotary?
Rotary is an international organisation of service clubs. There are 34,000 Rotary Clubs and 1.2 million members worldwide. Rotary members are volunteers who give their time and talents to serve communities both at home and overseas. They are men and women from business and the professions, who share a common interest in helping others. In Great Britain and Ireland Rotary has over 33,000 members in all parts of the country. It is an integral part of Rotary International. Each member enjoys business and social networking opportunities whilst giving something back to those less fortunate. They also learn new skills and have fun! Rotary International runs countless humanitarian projects both locally, nationally and internationally, and partners with many charities worldwide. One of the great achievements has been that Rotary has been a major force in the virtual elimination of Polio worldwide. You can find out more about Rotary International here.
What does this club do?
Over the years the Rotary Club of Coventry has raised many thousands of pounds for local charities.   These sums have been raised largely by organising events that enable the public to donate, by tin shakes at supermarkets, buying tickets for events and engaging in other types of fundraising. We also support young people as they make their way in life, through our “Youth Speaks” debating competion, by giving financial support to deserving initiatives and by helping disadvantaged children in the UK and abroad.  Many local charities have been supported, including the Air Ambulance, Coventry Myton Hospice, schools Christmas parties, the Midland Air Museum and Disabled Sports.
One of our most recognisable activities is at Christmas time when, in conjunction with the other Clubs in the city, we take Santa Claus on journeys through the City streets on several nights, to the delight of our local children. The proceeds from this are donated to several local charities.
The annual “Festival of Christmas Trees” held in Holy Trinity Church in the city centre raises much needed funds for our international projects, in recent years supporting the International Children’s Trust, supporting vulnerable children around the world. You can find out more about ICT here .
A recent Club project has been supporting the development of The Charterhouse, one of Coventry’s most historic sites. This resulted in the appropriate naming of the approach walkway to the building, under the previous presidency of Rotarian Pru Porretta. Find out more about the Coventry Charterhouse here .
In July each year the Presidency of the Club changes and new officers are installed. This year Allan Jones was replaced by David Swain at a lunch meeting at The Four Seasons Function room, where we meet. We also presented a contribution to the Coventy Resource Centre for the Blind (now renamed the Coventry Vision Hub). See here .
As well as our charitable activities, there are several social events throughout the year, including an annual treasure hunt, a challenge bowls match against the Rotary Club of Nuneaton, barbeques, and several fundraising lunches.
Where do we meet?
We normally meet for lunch on the first and third Mondays of the month at: The Four Seasons Function Room, Kings Hill Nurseries, Kings Hill Lane, Coventry, CV3 6PS. We meet from 12.30 until 2.00pm. There is usually a speaker and we have variety of topics.
Contact us
To contact us, for any reason, the email address of the Secretary is tim.sawdon@sky.com
Find us on Facebook:
Recently… The first meeting of the new Rotary year saw a talk on the Earlsdon Carnegie Community Library by Julie Rubidge, chair of Trustees, and Sandra Shipton, trustee. This was a most interesting review of the origins and development of this great community facility. More about it here. A presentation was made towards the library funds. Coming up… Out next meeting is on Monday 5th August, when the speaker will be Eddie Gormley, Coventry Community Champion for Morrisons supermarkets. The usual venue - the Four Seasons Function Room at 1215 for 1230 start.
Interested in joining Rotary? Contact our Secretary by email: tim.sawdon@sky.com
The Baptistry Window by John Piper - Coventry Cathedral
A recent Club project has been supporting the development of The Charterhouse, one of Coventry’s most historic sites. This resulted in the appropriate naming of the approach walkway to the building, under the previous presidency of Rotarian Pru Porreta. Find out more about the Coventry Charterhouse here .
The annual “Festival of Christmas Trees” held in Holy Trinity Church in the city centre raises much needed funds for our international projects, in recent years supporting the International Children’s Trust, supporting vulnerable children around the world. You can find out more about ICT here .
One of our most recognisable activities is at Christmas time when, in conjunction with the other Clubs in the city, we take Santa Claus on journeys through the City streets on several nights, to the delight of our local children. The proceeds from this are donated to several local charities.
The Rotary Club of Coventry
Coventry is a cathedral city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands County in England. Coventry has been a large settlement of people for centuries. It is an historic city, founded in the early Middle Ages. Its city status was formally recognised in a charter of 1345. It now has a population of some 365,000, making it the sixth largest city in England. It is famous world- wide for its cathedral and the message of reconciliation that it brings. The City is proud to be a City of Sanctuary. For a lot more about Coventry and its history, see here.
There are three Rotary clubs in Coventry: Coventry Phoenix , Coventry Jubilee , and the Rotary Club of Coventry (this site), which is the oldest of the three, having been founded in 1921. The three clubs act together on many occasions to achieve their aims in the City and elsewhere.
What is Rotary?
Rotary is an international organisation of service clubs. There are 34,000 Rotary Clubs and 1.2 million members worldwide. Rotary members are volunteers who give their time and talents to serve communities both at home and overseas. They are men and women from business and the professions, who share a common interest in helping others. In Great Britain and Ireland Rotary has over 33,000 members in all parts of the country. It is an integral part of Rotary International. Each member enjoys business and social networking opportunities whilst giving something back to those less fortunate. They also learn new skills and have fun! Rotary International runs countless humanitarian projects both locally, nationally and internationally, and partners with many charities worldwide. One of the great achievements has been that Rotary has been a major force in the virtual elimination of Polio worldwide. You can find out more about Rotary International here.
What does this club do?
Over the years the Rotary Club of Coventry has raised many thousands of pounds for local charities.   These sums have been raised largely by organising events that enable the public to donate, by tin shakes at supermarkets, buying tickets for events and engaging in other types of fundraising. We also support young people as they make their way in life, through our “Youth Speaks” debating competion, by giving financial support to deserving initiatives and by helping disadvantaged children in the UK and abroad.  Many local charities have been supported, including the Air Ambulance, Coventry Myton Hospice, schools Christmas parties, the Midland Air Museum and Disabled Sports.
As well as our c h a r i t a b l e activities, there are several social events throughout the year, including an annual treasure hunt, a challenge bowls match against the Rotary Club of Nuneaton, barbeques, and several fundraisng lunches.
Where and when do we meet?
We regularly meet for lunch on the first and third Mondays of the month at: The Four Seasons Function Room, Kings Hill Nurseries, Kings Hill Lane, Coventry, CV3 6PS. We meet from 12.30 until 2.00pm. There is usually a speaker and we have variety of topics, ranging from the drug problems of inner cities to the delights of beekeeping!
Contact us
To contact us, for any reason, the email address of the Secretary is tim.sawdon@sky.com
Find us on facebook:
Recently…
Interested in joining Rotary? Contact our Secretary by email: tim.sawdon@sky.com
Coventry
Coming up…
Out next meeting is on Monday 5th August, when the speaker will be Eddie Gormley, Coventry Community Champion for Morrisons supermarkets. The usual venue - the Four Seasons Function Room, at 1215 for 1230 start.
The first meeting of the new Rotary year saw a talk on the Earlsdon Carnegie Community Library by Julie Rubidge, chair of trustees, and Sandra Shipton, trustee. This was a most interesting review of the origins and development of this great community facility. More about it here. A presentation was made towards library funds.
The Baptistry Window by John Piper - Coventry Cathedral