A long-standing local partnership
Tuesday, 14 April 2026

As it has been tradition for a number of years, the Rotary Club of Edmonton once again kindly donated a gigantic chocolate egg to the Latymer School this Easter. The egg is raffled during the Pop, Jazz and All That fundraising concert which took place this year on Friday 13th March in the Great Hall. Students outdid themselves in selling tickets to a packed audience of over 200 parents, students and alumni and raised a fantastic £520 on raffle tickets alone. The money raised is split between the Music Society and the Latymer Foundation.

On this occasion, we got chatting with Chandu Patel and Pat Clark, both Edmonton Rotarians. Their Rotary Club was formed in 1928, originally by four men, leading to an inaugural meeting at The Rose and Crown, Church Street, with 28 persons present. 

Dr Trefor Jones, Headteacher between 1957 and 1970, was an Edmonton Rotarian for many years. He was Club Foundation Officer and hosted international students coming to London with Rotary Scholarships. This cultural and educational exchange is something that the club still does today, with the latest scholars being Samantha, from the USA, coming to study kidney function at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and Umi, from Japan, studying Peace Resolution at SOAS University of London. 

Edward Kelly, Headteacher from 1970 to 1983, continued in Trefor's footsteps. He was made a Paul Harris Fellow for his dedicated service to the Rotary for many years. Paul Harris was the founder of the Rotary and this fellowship, established in 1957, is one of the highest awards given to a Rotarian. 

Pat Clark is married to Christine née Brett class of 1974 (1967 joiner), herself the current President of the Rotary Club of Enfield Chase. Pat commented "To us, younger Rotarians, Edward Kelly was always addressed as Edward, but he had six close friends who also addressed him as 'Ned', or 'Neddy'. We often wondered whether we would become senior enough to call him Ned! As our Club Assistant Secretary he took the minutes of every meeting, and always managed to include a quip or joke." 

If you live locally and are interested in joining the Rotary Club of Edmonton, please contact the Club Secretary at secretary@edmontonrotary.org.uk.
In our local area, there are five Rotary clubs in total: Bush Hill Park, Edmonton, Enfield, Enfield Chase, Southgate. They all rely on volunteers to make a difference both locally and abroad. 

We would like to say a big thank you to the Rotary club for their ongoing support and may the link between the Latymer School and the Edmonton club continue for many years to come!

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