Club Inaugural

As the sun rose above the Cathedral on 23 April 2008, a new Rotary Club in Kent was born.

More than 70 Rotarians from clubs all over Kent joined District Governor, Denis Spiller at the official inaugural meeting of the Rotary Club of Canterbury Sunrise held in The Barn at the Cathedral Lodge. The District Governor and guests were there to welcome 25 business men and women from the city as Founder Members of the new club and to the wider Rotary International organisation.

Canterbury Sunrise, so called as it meets for breakfast at 7.15am every Wednesday morning (at the Cathedral Lodge) for one hour, becomes the 83rd in the Kent and East Sussex district and the latest in the 32,000 clubs around the world.

There has been a Rotary Club in Canterbury since 1922 and it was the existing club, which traditionally meets at lunchtime, who decided to set up and sponsor this new club. Past President of the Rotary Club of Canterbury, Philip Abbott said:

"Rotary not only provides great opportunities for networking and socialising but also gives members the chance to make a difference; not only in their local community but internationally as well. We decided to set up the new breakfast club because we know that in today's busy world business men and women don't always have the time to attend a lunchtime meeting. The breakfast club gives them the opportunity to enjoy all of the benefits Rotary can provide without affecting their daily work routine. Meeting before work will open Rotary up to new diverse range of people who may never have considered joining Rotary because it meant a commitment during the day or in the evening"

Founder President, Jarle Tatt, said:

The creation of the Rotary Club of Canterbury Sunrise means that Canterbury is now served by 3 clubs, one which meets for breakfast, one for lunch and another for dinner, creating options for any potential new members and existing Rotarians just visiting the city. Our club is proof that Rotary can be modern, flexible and appeal to all professions, to men and women of all ages (our members range in age from 24-60). We all enjoy Fun, Fellowship and Service, the cornerstone of Rotary".