Tipton Rotary Club to close after 65 years

The Rotary Club of Tipton is being disbanded after 65 years in the town, it was revealed today. The club was established in 1945 and in its heyday had around 70 members.

Now, more than six decades on, the remaining nine members have announced it will close down, due to ageing membership and a lack of new volunteers.

Ray Brothwood MBE, aged 71, was its longest serving member, joining 27 years ago. He said: "Quite a few of the members were in their 80s, We had tried to attract new members for the last five or six years, but to no avail."

Mr Brothwood, of New Birmingham Road, who used to run Rayden Trophies in Castle Hill, Dudley, added: "The Rotary was first set up as a business club and when Tipton was full of industry, in the 1960s there were around 70 members.

"There were 54 when I started, but it slowly went downhill.

"Unfortunately the majority of members voted to wind it up."

The club, which met each month at Tipton Conservative Club in Union Street, has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity over the years.

With its youngest member aged 60 and eldest aged 84 members voted five to four to fold.

The group's charity work included running bingo at old people's homes, trips for the elderly and social nights.

At Christmas the society organised the annual Tree of Light celebrations, went carol singing and gave out free turkeys and Christmas puddings to carers.

Mr Brothwood said some of the charity work will be continued by the Tipton Civic Society, of which he is chairman. This includes the Tree of Light, a Christmas tree with lights dedicated to loved ones who have died.

He said: "The tree is always very popular and last year £6,000 was raised for charity by people sponsoring lights.

"It is a real shame the club has been disbanded, but we want the good work to continue. Some of the former Rotarians said they will continue their support and work with the Civic Society, other have joined other Rotary clubs in Sandwell."