What a great evening was had on Saturday February 13 !

100 Rotarians with their ladies and guests attended a fancy dress Sing-along Sound of Music evening at Old Swinford Hospital School in the Great Hall.

The original Sound of Music film was shown on what can only be described as the largest screen in Oldswinford; words were provided so that much singing could be heard in Stourbridge town centre.

Nuns were seen by the dozen and a number of Rotarians pretended to be old goats, to help swell the herd. The singing was ably lead by members of the Stourbridge Operatic Society and there was much hissing and booing at appropriate moments, together with an impressive amount of flag waving when the mountain was finally climbed. These Rotarians know how to enjoy themselves when let loose.

The interval allowed the gathering to enjoy the splendid food prepared by members wives. All their hard work was much appreciated by everyone present, who had a wonderful evening.

Whilst all the fun was going on, the club made £1,050 to help swell the coffers for the President's charities.

On Wednesday February 24, our weekly speaker was the local historian, John Sparry talking about the launch of his new book “Vehicular Traffic” - a story of interesting people with transport of character.

The book took John two and a half years hard work to produce but he had been collecting items, old original photo's and anecdotes, for the past 30 years. A veritable mine of information and a genuine treasure trove of local old photographs.

With stories going as far back as 1150, when famous men travelled over our local roads, left behind by the Romans, through the steam age with reference to the James' family; the steam men of Bromley Lane, the late 19th century and the cyclists choice of penny-farthings (ordinaries). Wonderful recollections of local personalities, businessmen who dominated the local scene; Sammy Johnson of “Supreme Coaches” fame, Jack and Joe Fildes of Fildes Coachbuilders at the top of Park Street; the men of the Stourbridge Volunteer Fire Brigade ( and Kingswinford, Kinver and Brierley Hill brigades) A host of stories, anecdotes; even a poem or two, along with some really prized, rare photographs. A book worth reading and a most interesting talk for the Rotary lunchtime meeting.