About Us
Meetings
Since the presentation of our charter, we have met at many locations but
always on Thursdays at 12.30 for 1.00pm, 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 if 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.
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.