Rotary club modernises and welcomes first woman member

And when the majority of its members finally agreed to the inevitable, two of the more traditionally minded resigned and left to join Burnham Rotary, one of the only few remaining rotary clubs in the area still to exclude women.
Jenny Owen, a 58 year old nurse from Drovers Way in Seer Green, is the first woman member.
A widow since 2005, she was looking for an activity close to home where she could meet interesting and like minded people.
Mrs Owen, who works at Hillingdon Hospital and at Sunrise Senior Living in Beaconsfield, said: "I wanted to join an group that was mixed, and not solely female, because I work with women and I enjoy the banter of male conversation. Everybody has been so welcoming. I feel like I am me again.
"I hope that being a woman I will be able to add something, a different perspective on things and I hope other women are encouraged to join by this article."
Mrs Owen had intended to retire by now and spend her time shooting and beating for pheasants with her husband Martin, who was a police officer in the Met.
She decided to join the rotary club after spotting a poster in March advertising a meeting for new members that same evening.
Mel Cayzer, who was president when the club's members finally agreed to admit women, said: "It wasn't that most of them were against women, they were comfortable with where they were and they needed a wake up call."
Rotary is a worldwide organisation of more than 1.2 million business, professional and community leaders. The Rotary International website states that rotarians provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. There are more than 33,000 rotary clubs worldwide. For more information telephone Mel Cayzer on 01494 672895.