The ROTARY Club of Rhyl is to team up with its neighbours to work together on projects.

Rhyl Rotary has decided to hold its regular meetings at The Bod Erw Restaurant, St Asaph, the venue where the now disbanded St Asaph Rotary Club met for many years.

Following the closure of the club, five members decided to join the Rhyl Club, maintaining a healthy connection between the activities of St Asaph and Rhyl.

St Asaph resident John Dicks is now the President-Elect for the 2024/25 Rotary year.

Tony Thomas, current Rhyl Rotary president, said: "We are absolutely delighted to be here in St Asaph and we look forward to working with our new neighbours on many projects which will provide benefit locally, at home and abroad. It was a pleasure to visit the Co-op at Christmas time with Santa and his sleigh and we were also pleased to assist at the city's music festival."

Colin Hardie, mayor of St Asaph, said: "St Asaph City Council is delighted to hear that meetings are now held at the Bod Erw, St Asaph. We sincerely hope that the move to this venue proves fruitful for the Rotary and I hope that we can develop a successful relationship for the benefit of our community."

The two clubs already have strong links from the past and it was members Ian Grant and Frank Ashworth of Rhyl Rotary Club who mentored the new 'daughter' Club at St Asaph during its inception some 39 years ago.

Many residents and organisations have benefitted from the past fundraising activities of the club. It is estimated that about a quarter of a million pounds was raised over the years for charitable purposes, locally and abroad.

Most residents will remember the spectacular 'Summer Fayre'; The event attracted thousands of visitors annually.

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Alan Duke, who was a member of the St Asaph Club and who has now joined  Rhyl Rotary, said: "My first impression of Rhyl Rotary Club was how friendly and welcoming everybody set out to be. I continue to be amazed to learn how many activities the club is involved in, both socially and, of course, concerning the fund-raising events for which the club is renowned.

"I would encourage anybody who wants to 'make a difference', meet new friends and also enjoy themselves to get in touch to learn more about what it means to be a Rotarian."

The Very Reverend Nigel Williams, Dean of St Asaph Cathedral, said: "It is a great pleasure to welcome Rhyl Rotary Club to St Asaph. Over the years, St Asaph Rotary Club has served our community with distinction, always ready to lend a hand to other organisations and raising money for many good causes. We were all saddened when the St Asaph Rotary Club was no longer able to continue.

"It is heartening to know that so many members from St Asaph have been warmly embraced into Rhyl Rotary.

"We look forward to working alongside and with the Rhyl Rotary club members and thank them for the wonderful work that they do in the community. "

To learn more about The Rotary Club of Rhyl and its activities contact: Pete McKenzie on 07775553688 or pete_mckenzie@sky.com