Health & Fitness
Broomall Rotary Goes International
Broomall Rotary Club forms bond with Marple, England's Rotary.
Earlier this year, the Broomall Rotary Club reached out to jolly ol’ England and formed interesting new friendships with fellow rotarians. Where in England? In Marple, England, the namesake of Marple, PA, of course.
Rotarians Paul Quintavalla and Patty Sutherland of Broomall contacted the New Mills and Marple District Rotary Club in England to see if they had much in common. Apparently they did because a brisk friendship soon developed. It seems that the folks in Marple (England that is) knew all about their Pennsylvanian brethren and were glad to hear from the Broomall rotarians.
The connection between the two towns is the 1696 in Marple, PA. Thomas Massey was born in the village of Marpoole (Marple) in Cheshire, England, and Marple, PA, and came to Pennsylvania as an indentured servant in 1683.
It occurred to Paul that if there is a Marple, England, there probably is a Rotary Club there and a connection was made. The English rotarians were just great about communicating with Broomall. The English rotarians demonstrated a great sense of humor and fellowship when their club president wrote that they were glad to “overlook the ousting of King George’s supporters back in 1776; all is forgiven.” He added that their members gave a toast to their American cousins.
The Broomall Rotary board of directors and officers responded by sending a letter of best wishes to the New Mills and Marple District Club on the occasion of the new Rotary year, which began in July. Soon, it was agreed that both clubs would recognize one another as sister clubs and a cordial relationship was begun.
Patty has been made chairperson of the Club’s International Relations Committee. She is a retired secondary mathematics teacher and is an adjunct professor at . The committee’s objective is letting the Broomall members know what England is doing, and keeping the English informed about our activities. Sharing ideas with friends is always a good thing to do.
For more information about Rotary, visit www.rotary7450.org/.
