Cheltenham Rotary Club was founded in 1921. We have recently discovered a wealth of information about the early years of our club, along with many photographs. We will publish a selection of this onto the website in due course and as time permits.

Our first President was a leading figure in the town, William Welstead KSG (1847-1929) William was born in London, the son of a ‘gentleman’ and after serving in Sussex Artillery as a volunteer, at the age of twenty-two he moved to Cheltenham. He was invested as a Knight of St Gregory in 1918. The ceremony was spoken of as “unique” in the Clifton diocese. William was Chairman and President of several bodies and we are very proud that he was our founding President.