THE mission statement of the Rotary Foundation: “That it is to enable rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education and the alleviation of poverty.”

And few could argue that the Potters Bar group has not fulfilled that in the last 50 years.

Whether it be via the Christmas sleigh, race nights, pool tournaments, big band shows, or going nude for a calendar (we wont go into that in too much detail!), the group that meets at Brookmans Park Golf Club has always come up trumps and has raised thousands of pounds for worthy charities and humanitarian causes.

It all started when members of the Rotary Club of Hatfield branched out to Potters Bar in 1959.

Since then the club has developed in many ways, with it just a few of its achievements include setting up links across much of the world including USA, Belgium and Argentina.

Its many events have helped raise cash for Eye Camps for India, Polio Plus, Forgotten Allies Fund, Cancer Research, Riding for Disabled, to name just a few.

And from 1996 it branched out into the 20th century becoming a ‘Dual Gender Club’ and now even has its first female president – Pat Rowatt.

Last month the group celebrated its birthday in style.

There were several presentations including one to teenage sailing sensation Michael Perham of an Achievement Award for 30,000 miles of sheer courage.

For more on this story buy this week’s Potters Bar Edition.