by Chris Flavell

MEMBERS of Droitwich Spa's Rotary Club are celebrating after the town's Rotary House was successfully converted for disabled use.

A ramp at the front of the building will now allow easier access for the disabled with improvements also being made to the toilet facilities.

Members filled in a survey in 2004 to see what changes the building needed the most. The work has now been completed thanks to funding from a number of groups including Droitwich Town Council, Wychavon District Council, Spa rotarians, a National Lottery grant and Age Concern.

The Rotary Club built what is known as Rotary House back in 1958 on land leased from the then Borough of Droitwich Spa. The building was a much-needed replacement venue for the Sons of Rest Club, which was then named the Rotary Sons of Rest Club.

This community project was financed through a gift of £500 from a local benefactor, rotarian H B Everton, and £500 from a public appeal culminating in an auction of household furniture.

A legacy from rotarian Jack Ballard enabled the club to purchase the freehold in 1988, which was then held by Wychavon District Council. The property is now in the ownership of the Rotary Club of Droitwich Spa Charitable Trust, which is a registered charity.

Currently, the 50 seat meeting room and kitchen is hired regularly for a modest fee by more than 20 Spa groups for recreational, vocational and fellowship purposes.

The improvement work was officially unveiled at a special celebration party last Friday which was attended by Peter Offer, president of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland. Mr Offer thanked all those that had helped make the project possible.