This year marks 100 years of The Rotary Club of Harrogate. The organisation hit its centennial on January 8 and has multiple celebratory events planned this year.

Since 1921, The Rotary Club of Harrogate has raised money for hundreds of causes, from tackling environmental issues to providing affordable accommodation.

To celebrate, the club will be planting a Centenary Garden flower bed at Valley Gardens in the colours of its logo.  Members say they will dress in 1921 style for its unveiling in June. A date is not yet confirmed due to covid.

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March 22 had been set as the date for a sold out centenary concert at the Royal Hall, Harrogate.

Lockdown restrictions meant this couldn't go through, so Mervyn Darby, chair of the International Committee encouraged ticket holders to donate the refunded money to the Royal Hall to support it through the pandemic.

School Competition

The Rotarians are also running a competition with the 35 schools in Harrogate. This will be for 4-8 year olds and will involve a colouring competition and an essay about their favourite locations in Harrogate.

The winner's school will be awarded £750, second place £500 and third place £250. This competition is hoped to begin in Autumn term.

The club also said that an additional sum of money will be gifted to schools across Harrogate to fund art and sports.

Chair of the Youth Services Committee, Malcolm Campbell, wants to encourage more young people to become a Rotarian with concerns that current membership tends to be the older community of Harrogate. Malcolm said: