NEWPORT Rotary Club celebrated its centenary last month.

The occasion was celebrated at the Parkway Hotel in Cwmbran last month, where mayor of Newport Cllr Bill Routley paid tribute to the group and made an impassioned plea for its good work to continue.

Speaking at the dinner on Saturday, February 8, Cllr Routley said that, although circumstances in Newport are very different now than they were in the 1920s when the Rotary Club was established, the community was in no less need of the help and engagement that generations of Rotarians have provided.

He added he hoped that future generations could rely on local business and professional people to continue their tradition of using their skills and knowledge to serve the people of Newport.

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The President of Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland Donna Wallbank was also in attendance, and spoke of the growing diversity of Rotary and how increasingly the work of the national organisation is being taken up by enthusiastic young people with the same enthusiasm the founders of the Newport group had shown in 1920.

She also highlighted the remarkable contribution Rotary has made to the eradication of polio.

Working in partnership with the World Health Organisation and the Gates Foundation worldwide, Rotary clubs have raised more than £1.3 billion to fund the eradication the disease.

As part of the celebration several members received awards for long service in the club.

Club president Cllr Janet Cleverley, the club's first female president in its 100-year existence, also spoke at the event, and expressed her pride in the contribution the group has made to the community over such a long period.

Peter Landers, secretary of Newport Rotary Club said: “Rotary has been a force for good in the community in the hundred years we have been part of the fabric of the city.

"In today's changed and changing circumstances we need more people who can work as volunteers and supporters to assist in our work of improving our community.

"Anyone wanting more information about volunteering with us should email me at peter_landers@me.com."