ONE of the driving forces behind some of Maldon's most renowned events is celebrating a significant milestone in its existence.

The Rotary Club of Maldon, whose members meet regularly at the Queen's Head on the town's Hythe Quay, has now been serving Rotary International for 50 years.

In that time, the club’s members have helped raise thousands of pounds for a host of different charities, hosting an annual senior citizens’ party, Maldon’s fireworks spectacular and an annual book sale for the NSPCC, among other events.

The club helped to stage the Victorian Evenings in the past and played a key role in ensuring that the names of 102 soldiers who died during the First World War but missing from the war memorial outside All Saints’ Church, in High Street, were added last year.

Many of its members are also on the organising committee for the Maldon Mud Race, which takes place later this month.

To mark the recent feat, Tony Newton, chairman of the rotary club, was presented with a charter by Rotary district governor Neil Muir (pictured).