With all the pessimism we've been exposed to over the past year, there can be no faster pick-me-up than involving oneself with something you can be passionate about.

Typically the Midsomer Norton & Radstock Rotary Club would meet regularly for fun and fellowship and raise funds for various causes. The meetings give access to mingle with like-minded people and allow one to serve the community, yet, over the past year, the club has been restricted to Zoom meetings.

However, after an entire year of Zoom engagements, the club members and guests enthusiastically gathered and caught up with each other with an evening under the canopy at The Redan Inn, Chilcompton.

Club President, Nick Candy, said: "The force that drives our club are our members who are the heart of our organisation and we would relish seeing our membership grow. It's been a challenge accruing new members through the pandemic and we must take into account our strategies so they most align with the wants and expectations of our community that we aim to serve."

Rotarians provide community service to both local and international communities. This is perhaps the best reason to become a Rotarian: the chance to do something for somebody else and to sense the satisfaction that comes in the process and return of that fulfilment to one's own life. It is richly rewarding.

Nick added : " By attending local events sponsored by our club, I meet great people in our community whom I wouldn't have met otherwise. "

Club Membership Chairman, Ian Hobbs, added: "New members bring new energy and results in more people to serve on committees, work on projects and events, raise money for the Foundation, and we have a lot of fun along the way."

Due to the keen reaction, the Club plans to continue with an informal monthly gathering open to members and guests alike. If you would like to show up and find out more about the club in a casual setting, please contact the club through www.rotarynr.org.uk and the club will gladly let you know the time and place of the next get-together.