Meetings

Since the presentation of our charter, we have met at many locations but we now meet on the 2nd, and 4th Mondays each month (but not in August), when we are delighted to welcome visiting Rotarians and Guests from home and abroad. Fortunately, being a London club, we are privileged to receive large numbers of visitors during each year, particularly from abroad.

Pictures from some of our meetings.
Speakers attending our meetings.

History

Officially the Rotary Club of St. Marylebone came into existence on 20th September 1948. The Charter was presented at the Savoy Hotel on 4th November 1948 in the presence of a large and representative gathering of Rotarians.

However the roots of the club are deeper; we were originally part of the Rotary Club of Paddington and St. Marylebone, formed in 1924, and only 'split' in the best interests of Rotary extension. The decision to divide was taken with much regret for we were a happy fellowship and, although the ties must inevitably weaken with the introduction of new members to both Clubs, in view of our earlier association, the two separate Clubs - Paddington and St. Marylebone will always retain a mutual affection.

Although the Rotary Club of St. Marylebone is numbered 7058 in R.I. and 654 in R.I.B.I., we really have claim to the original numbers 1854 and 168 respectively, which the Paddington Club was allowed to retain. This has been recognised by an endorsement on the back of our Charter.

St. Marylebone

Smaller_Stmarylebone_CoatOfArmsII.gif

St. Marylebone Borough (created in 1899) derives its name form an ancient Chapel founded by Barking Abbey (which held the Manor of Tyburn) and, like the Abbey, dedicated to St. Mary (represented on the crest between two white lilies). To distinguish the Chapel from other religious houses with the same dedication, it was called St. Mary - le - Bourne; 'le bourne' - the Tyburn brook - is represented in the arms and crest by the blue and white wavy bars. The Lilies and rose were derived from the arms of Barking Abbey. The fleur-de-lis, besides being an emblem of the Virgin, has a secondary significance as the principal charge in the arms of the 'Portman Family'.

The above representation was granted in 1901.

The river Tyburn from which the Borough's name derives, is no longer visible, having been rerouted underground many years ago to provide water for the inhabitants of London.