Gala dinner, academic talks and planting trees: Year of events to celebrate Rotary Club of Northampton's 100th birthday

The Rotary Club of Northampton has organised 12 months of events to celebrate its 100th birthday next year.

Having held its first ‘ordinary’ lunch meeting on July 18, 1921, the club's charter was not granted until February 1, 1922.

Since then, the Rotarians have raised countless sums for charities around the town and globe as well as helping those in need and organising events.

Rotary Club of Northampton member, David George, who has been busy arranging the centenary plans, said they are proud to have reached such a major milestone.

"It's quite a thing for the town, we've served the town for many years on things ranging from looking after elderly people, giving them presents at Christmas and taking them to the pantomime, to working for refugee children in Sudan," he said.

The year of events starts with the centenary launch at Fernie Fields Community Centre in Moulton on July 5, where the festivities will get underway with many dignitaries invited.

The main event is the centenary charter dinner at the Marriott Hotel in Northampton on February 5, with the national Rotary Club president due to speak.

Talks have also been arranged from campaigner and author Dame Fiona Reynolds on protecting the countryside and the Sheffield Hallam University's Martin Illingworth on his book, Forget School.

A special service at All Saints Church will be led by Father Oliver Coss on February 23, with guest speaker The Bishop of Brixworth, Rev John Holbrook, who is also a Rotarian.

Lastly in May, Rotarians will be visiting the arboretum of Lord Michael Heseltine at Thenford House near Banbury in May next year.

As well as the events, the group will be creating a 'peace garden' in Abington Park and planting 100 trees 'as a gift to the people of Northampton', David said.

"It will be fantastic - we're really pleased about it all," he added.

For more information, visit the Rotary Club's website here.