Rotarians celebrated 70 years of service to the community last week with a special screening of a classic film.

Members of the Rotary Club of Elstree and Borehamwood, joined by family members and local dignitaries, enjoyed a special screening of Casablanca on Thursday, March 8, at the Ark Theatre in Borehamwood.

More than 100 people attended the event which featured a champagne reception and the screening of the 1942 film, released the same year the club was founded.

Member of the club David Clout said: “It was a fantastic evening and all the feedback I’ve had so far has been really positive and people have been telling me they all had a wonderful evening.

“There a number of things the Rotary club has to be proud of and for me it has to be the school art show which we started in 1998 and has been growing ever since.

“I think the club still has, and will continue to have at its core is its motto of ‘service above self’. Every Rotarian is prepared to roll up their sleeves and help give something back to the community.”

The Elstree and Borehamwood Roatary club was founded in 1942 by local business people who wanted to look to the future after three years of war.

In 1946, after hearing about the affects of WWII on Holland, the club had 50 Dutch school children to stay and have a holiday in Britain as their homeland recovered from the war.

One of the clubs biggest achievements was in 1951 when the club organised a film screening to raise money help buy Manor House in Allum Lane to help set up Allum Hall Community Centre.

President of the Rotary club of Elstree and Borehamwood Paul Clarke said: “Though the rotary is an international movement, what I’m most proud of is the work we have done locally.

“Whether it is organising tea for pensioners or raising money for Help for Heroes by organising golf tournaments, club members have done a lot they can be proud of.”