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 One of the many fellowships maintained in Rotary is the Rotary Retro Automobile Fellowship of GB & I (RRAF) is the UK and Irish Chapter of the International Antique, Classic and Historic Automobile World Fellowship of Rotarians (ACHAFR). This Fellowship, originally called the RRAF is an international association of Rotarians dedicated to promoting the preservation and utilisation of antique, classic and historic automobiles as an opportunity for fellowship and service.
The RRAF currently has approximately 150 registered members who own a variety of wonderful vehicles. We have several members in our district and are always happy to accept more.
History
The Fellowship was originally founded in 1988 by Brian Henry of the rotary club of Wagga Wagga, in New South Wales Australia, with the UK chapter being formed in the late eighties with other chapters existing in Australia, USA, New Zealand, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium and Germany.
The Fellowship
 The Fellowship maintains a list of events organised by various Rotary Clubs within the UK. Some of these are just for fun others raise funds for the charity associated with that club. The RRAF arranges an annual tour, the 1st was held in 2007 in conjunction with the RIBI Conference. For 2008, the tour was in Normandy for pictures and a brief report on this tour visit www.rraf.co.uk and click on events and gallery.
This year the RRAF has been asked by the ACHAFR to organise a tour to coincide with the RI Convention in Birmingham. This is currently being planned for June 16 - 19 in North Wales. The tour will end with a parade at the RI convention at the NEC in Birmingham.
Events organised by Rotary Clubs within the UK include runs, static rallies, shows, hill-climbs and gymkhanas. The Fellowship is a member of the FBHVC (Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs) which amongst other activities provides members with competitive classic and historic car insurance and FIVA documentation. Events are great fun and sometimes have the added benefit of raising money for charity, it is always a pleasure to do something you love and give something back to a good cause.
The Fellowship operates in accordance with Rotary International policy, but is not an agency of, or controlled by rotary international.
The Objectives of ACHAFR
 ACHAFR combines an adherence to the principles of Rotary with a love of cars and the history of automotive technology and use this shared interest as an opportunity to advance and foster the object of Rotary. Its objectives are:
- To advance international understanding, goodwill and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideals of service.
- To promote Rotary fellowship through touring, rallying, exhibiting and other activities involving antique and classic cars.
- To promote high standards of stewardship of our technological heritage and abide by safe and considerate driving standards.
- To support Rotary service projects and opportunities when and wherever feasible.
By Elizabeth Sheldon
Rotary Club of The Brickhills
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