Welcome to the Inner Wheel Club of Southgate

Rotary International was founded in Chicago Illinois by Paul Harris in 1905 and within 10 years had spread to the British Isles. Many kinds of community service were embarked on by Rotarians which often involved the co-operation of their wives. Usually a ladies committee was set up to help on a project and then disbanded. However some groups stayed together, enjoying the friendships they had made and often initiating further service on their own account. Social events were organised and speakers invited to entertain and inform. Thus unofficial groups of ladies with Rotary connections were meeting in various parts of the country unknown to each other prior to 1923.

A Rotary dinner in Manchester to which wives were invited was addressed by the Vice President of Rotary International Mr Eastman, who prompted the suggestion of a ladies' club on Rotary lines. Rotary International could not offer any help or agree to the use of the name 'Rotary'. At a meeting held on 10th January 1924 in Manchester it was agreed to name the club 'Inner Wheel' cleverly avoiding the use of the word 'Rotary' while the link with the men's organisation was symbolised by reference to their badge - the Rotary Wheel.

Inner Wheel now is probably the largest women's organisation in the world with a membership of around 100,000 in 103 countries. In Great Britain and Ireland there are 23,000 members in 29 Districts. There are 16 clubs, including Southgate Inner Wheel, in District 13, Greater London with a combined membership of around 250 members.

The 2011/2012 International Inner Wheel President, Catherine Refabert, comes from France and her chosen theme for the year is
Think Ahead – Aim High.

The Inner Wheel Association in Great Britain & Ireland President is Phyllis Charter her chosen charity is Sue Ryder with the Sue Ryder Foundation in Ireland.

To become a member of Inner Wheel you have to be a close female relative of a Rotarian or an existing Inner Wheel member.

The aims and objectives of Inner Wheel are:

To promote true friendship
To encourage the ideals of personal service
To foster international understanding

The Inner Wheel Club of Southgate was chartered in 1946 and currently has a membership of 22 women who meet in the evening of the 4th Monday of the month usually at the Bourne Methodist Church, Southgate. The club organises charity and social events and has regular speakers at its meetings. This year's club charity is Nightingale Community Hospice Trust.

The Inner Wheel in London District Chairman's chosen charity is Chigwell Riding Trust For Special Needs.

The District Overseas Charity for the year is the Impact Foundation UK.

The Inner Wheel Club of Southgate values its close association with the Rotary Club of Southgate.

This year's Southgate Inner Wheel Club President is Sonja Doctor.

Take a look at the club photo album for 2010-11 HERE

If you would like further information on the Inner Wheel Club of Southgate please email us HERE.

For information about Inner Wheel in London click HERE
For information about Inner Wheel in Great Britain & Ireland click HERE

The information on the history of Inner Wheel was taken from 'Friendship through Service' by Kathleen Hovey.