The granting of the Rotary Club of Hemel Hempstead's Charter, on 10th October 1934, was marked by a celebratory Dinner at De Vere Venues, Hunton Park, on 9th October 2009.

The event started with a drinks reception in the main entrance hall of the venue.  The next stage of the evening was in the spacious marquee where guests sat down to a three course meal with wine, followed by coffee.

After the meal the gathering was entertained by a number of speakers.  The Worshipful The Mayor of Dacorum, Councillor Stephen Holmes welcomed guests on behalf of the Borough of Dacorum, and commented on the valuable contributions that the Club had made to the town.  President John Carlton- Ashton welcomed everyone on behalf of the Club, paying special attention to those who had joined us from other Rotary Clubs. The Speaker, John Hockin, came from Woodhall Spar RC, Les Lee came from Chesham [a daughter club], as did President Derek Upcott and two other members.  Tony Barrett and Jennifer came all the way from Tewksbury RC and Judy Green came from RC St. Albans Priory, which was one of our own sponsor clubs, and where she is its secretary.   From Rickmansworth came President Stuart Melsom, his wife and five other members.  President Celia Hodnett of Watford and the Langleys and her husband led a group of nine from that club and Nova Fisher represented Exeter Southernhay.    Michael Hammond represented Watford Club, ADG Gavin Plews represented Great Missenden and President Geoff Budd and his wife led some ten people from Berkhamsted Bulbourne.

Past District Governor Les Lee spoke of his own affection for our Club and presented us [on behalf of District Governor Sandy Aked-Walker] with a citation from RI with the following wording: "Honoring 75 Years of membership in Rotary International, the Rotary Club of Hemel Hempstead, admitted 10 October 1934, is recognised for its dedication to the Objects of Rotary and its commitment to the ideal of Service above Self".

The President Geoff Budd of the new Berkhamsted Bulbourne Club (incorporating Berkhamsted) also spoke of the way that local clubs work in partnership.  He then made a surprise presentation of a celebratory President's Tankard, beautiful and of high quality and inscribed with the words "The President's Tankard, celebrating 75 years of service" on the front, and on the reverse "Together in Rotary; The Rotary Club of Hemel Hempstead and The Rotary Club of Berkhamsted Bulbourne". It is in its own wooden box.

John Hockin had visited our Club back in 1999 while President of RIBI, during John Rowlands' presidential year, and had impressed members with his sound ideas and humorous approach.

His signature speech of the evening demonstrated that it had been a good idea to select him for this event.  He peppered his talk with amusing stories and incidents, but at the same time lent a gravitas to the occasion by showing that he knew of, and appreciated, the solid work that the Club had done over 75 years.

The consensus is that it was an excellent event and marked the occasion in an appropriate way.