Drop in numbers means end of Rotary Club in Nelson, Brierfield and Reedley

The Nelson, Brierfield and Reedley Rotary Club has held its final meeting after deciding to close due to declining membership.
CLOSING CLUB: Members of the Nelson, Brierfield and Reedley Rotary who held their last meeting this week. (S)CLOSING CLUB: Members of the Nelson, Brierfield and Reedley Rotary who held their last meeting this week. (S)
CLOSING CLUB: Members of the Nelson, Brierfield and Reedley Rotary who held their last meeting this week. (S)

The area has had Rotary connections since the mid-1920s and over the period club members have raised a least half a million pounds for charities.

Last week it held the final meeting, but members who wish to continue with the organisation will be made welcome at other Rotary clubs in the area.

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The initial Nelson Rotary Club was established in 1927. It started with 34 members and its first president was the late Dr R. D. Haworth.

Brierfield and Reedley Rotary was established as a “daughter club” of the Nelson club in 1968. But in the early 21st Century, in July 2003, they amalgamated.

Club secretary Mr Bert Humberstone said: “It’s lack of officers that has resulted in the closure, and lack of members as well. It’s also the age profile because people involved are a lot older now.”

And he said: “We are very sad and very disappointed it is closing, We have done so many things, and raised a lot of money for local, national and international charities. It is at least half a million pounds we have raised over the years.”

He made it clear that people could join other clubs, like Colne, Colne Noyna, Burnley or Burnley Pendleside Rotary Clubs.

The Burnley club was established in 1920.

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