Our diverse community includes individuals who are currently working or have worked in fields such as engineering, retail, social care, education, health, accountancy, law, and many more.
If there's a profession you can think of, chances are we have or have had a member with experience in that field or close connections to it.
Join us and see how we turn words into action every day and support our local community.
At our Steak Night on Thu 27 Aug 26 Rotarian Fiaz Ahmed described his self-funded visit with the Islamic Welfare Trust UK to refugee settlements in Uganda. He showed images of the many child orphans and displaced families he met and the work being conducted there to feed and shelter hundreds of thousands of people.
I am sure that we all have our own memories of Maurice Humphris BEM, DL, Burgess of Banbury, JP, and I do not wish to imply that my recollections are any better than those that knew him for far longer and better than I did. Do feel free to add your own thoughts.
I first met Maurice as a fellow trustee at a local children’s charity following my retirement in 2006. As a fellow JP we quickly became friends and he convinced me to join the Rotary Club of Banbury, becoming my sponsor and mentor. I knew little of his life experiences at that stage but quickly became aware of his exemplary standing in the community. I fondly remember him at my early meetings sitting with his peer group of legal, farming and medical colleagues on the first table in the Freemasons Hall. He showed me that taking full part in meetings was to the benefit of the whole group, especially during the ebb and flow of ribald banter, during which he was often baited for his "s’s” sounding like “sh’s” (mainly by Martin): but he gave as good as he received, all with a smile. In fact, that knowing smile and convivial demeanour were his trademarks. Always well dressed, with walking cane and tie pin, Maurice was an example to us all of what was expected of being a Rotarian. He volunteered for everything and was always first to offer support to anyone organising a Rotary event. Even as his mobility started to suffer, he tried desperately to help during the most arduous events like marshalling the then annual Tour de Trigs. He taught me a great deal about service, charity and goodwill, and I will remember him as a generous friend and all that Rotary International stands for. Nig Randall, Aug 26
At a meeting on Thursday evening (23 July) at Banbury Cricket Club,the Rotary Club of Banbury inducted a new member, Petronella Mwasandube. Petronella has over 30 years of Healthcare and Management experience in the UK and internationally and was made an OBE for her work with ethnic minority patients and staff in the NHS.
The new Rotary year starts in July.
Thus it was that members attended the presidential handover from retiring president, Nigel Randall to our new president, Mark Hughes.
Mark's inaugural speech set out his intention to consolidate existing good practice whilst seeking to review activities with the intent of enabling all members to maximise the use of their skills and abilities.
When Banbury Rotary Club member Helen Morris passed away she left a bequest of £20,000 for the club to disburse to deserving charities.
£10,000 of this went to Dogs for Good and this week we received the following message from them:
Arrangements are well under way for the CSFC concerts on Monday 9th – Thursday 12th November 2026.
To find out click to read on.
When longstanding club member Helen Morris passed away recently, she left a generous £20,000 bequest for use at the discretion of the Rotary Club of Banbury.
After careful and lengthy discussion, it was agreed that the funds should be divided between two charities, allowing each to benefit from a genuinely significant uplift. One organisation that Helen would undoubtedly have approved of is Dogs for Good, who today received a cheque for £10,000 to support their remarkable work.
The invaluable and notable service of three of our members was recognised during our Speaker Meeting on Thu 7 May 26. Paul Gardiner received an RI Avenues of Service Award for his service to our Club, Charles Hughes received an RI Avenues of Service Award for his service to the community and Ian Anthistle was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship for his work in Youth Services. Well Done and congratulations to each of them!
CONTACT 2026
“ Contact” is the name given to our long-running European Exchange with Rotary Clubs from France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland.
This time the “get-together” was in France. Click the picture to see an informal photo-album of the event or read more for a fuller story of the event.
Two further Service Awards were presented to members who have made notable contributions to the running of the club.
Dr Ian Rodrick has been a member of the club contributing for over 41 years in his own inimitable manner.
John Groves, by comparison a mere whippersnapper, with 9 years of membership was recognised in particular for his contribution to the clubs IT and school liaison on the Children Singing for Children Concerts.
Bothe were awarded Paul Harris Fellow status.
Here is the Newsletter about the Jigsaw 26: The Missing Pieces that took place on Saturday 25th April 2026 at Sindlesham Court, Reading:
Nick was born in Gloucester - 1953. Educated in Towcester & Magdalen College School Brackley (1964 to 1971). Career in Telecommunications (Telephone Exchange Development). Retired in 2010. Moved around a bit - Steeple Claydon (Bucks), Paulerspury (Northants), Nottingham, Sandhurst (Berks) and now Deddington in 2025. Married Glo (Gloria) in 1976. Two children – Elizabeth and Andrew (who sadly died in December 2023). Two grandchildren - James and Isla. Member of Beeston (Notts) Round Table 1981 – 1988. Member of Bisley Lodge (Surrey) 2005 to 2025.
David is our newest member, having transferred from the Lichfield Rotary Club in the New Year, and gave a short description of his career since leaving school in west London aged 16 with some o-levels. He became an apprentice building services engineer (4 years) and spent the next 10 years on various private projects in the London Docklands, the Great Ormond St Hospital and the Hotel de las Artes, Villa Olympico, Barcelona.
Emma Orton spoke at the Club Frugal Meal on Thu 26 Mar 26 to introduce Assisted Reading for Children (ARCh), that helps pupils in Oxfordshire who struggle with their reading. They send trained volunteers into primary schools and aim to inspire in the children we see a love of reading. This will enhance their lives and improve their life chances.
Signed-in Members can download notice of the AGM on 1st May 2026 by clicking here.
The dates for the next Contact meeting are 14-17 May 2026.
See more details of the programme.
Please be deciding whether you will be taking part.
Thanks to Alex for some high quality training on the CPR and the use of defibillators.
He commenced by explaining the difference between a heart attack (plumbing) and cardiac arrest (electrics!)
In the case of cardiac arrest the electrical signals to the heart are often in a state of fibrillation (irregular fluttering).
The patient will be unconscious and the first 3-5 minutes are pivotal. CPR keeps oxygen circulating until a defibrillator can be used to stop thje fibrillation and allow the heart to restart with a proper rhythm.
In a cardiac emergency, time is life. Immediate CPR and defibrillator use can double—or even triple—a person’s chance of survival. Yet too few of us are trained.
Whether you're at home, work, or in the community, knowing how to respond could mean the difference between life and death. Training is quick, accessible, and empowers you to act confidently when it matters most.
💡 Be the difference. Get trained. Save lives.
Summer holidays saw a smaller than usual number of members at the Friday meeting.
The absence of our president also gave our recently designated 1st Vice president an opportunity to run his first club meeting – which he did with unsurprising efficiency despite being adorned with an L-plate!
All good wishes Peter and Pat as you move away to your new home.
Thanks also for the super "farewell do" where good food, good drink, good weather and most importantly good company were the order of the day.
You can see some of the photos from our 2025 exchange by visiting the photo-album here.
Tuesday 20th May, 7 o'clock at BCC for a pre club European Exchange meeting. (Contact)
Bring a plate to share with a German theme, and pen and paper
Alison will take us through the arrangements for our trip to Aalen-Heidenheim, it is really important at least one person per couple attend but hopefully all can, to make sure we are all well briefed.
A tradition has evolved of club members not giving Christmas Cards to each other but - instead - making a payment into The Rotary Foundation Fund.
The last club meeting at the Freemasons' Hall took place at the Christmas Lunch on13th December 2024. 
For members only - the 2025 internal lottery offers you a year of regular (weakly!) excitement for a mere £10/annum.
These events are all in the list of upcoming events but mixed up with a large number of Service Activities such as supermarket collections and other fund-raising or community service events.
Visit planned by John Bennett to the Bugatti museum located at Prescott Hillclimb on Wednesday 16th October followed by optional pub lunch.
Nigel R has emailed members alerting them to the likelihood of the Clubrunner app becoming the main vehicle of club communicationand has asked for members who are not yet able to use the app to get in touch with him.
Members can follow this link to see the structure and make-up of the club committees and working groups: ClubRunner: Committees
Members can download duty Rotas from here but you'll need to be logged in.