Local information
The town of Aldershot is known around the world as the Home of the British Army. Almost every UK army serviceman and woman will have had some association with the town, at some stage in their military career. It is without doubt one of the most famous small towns in the world.
The army came to Aldershot in the mid 1850's and have been here ever since. So for the last 140 years or so, it has thrived as a garrison town, with high levels of integration and co-operation between the military and civilian communities.
In the present day, in line with recent general reductions in the number of service personnel, there are fewer troops stationed here than in former times, but the future of the Army here is bright, and assured and the historic link remains unbroken
Almost all the historic old Victorian barracks have now been demolished, but there is still much evidence of Aldershot's proud Victorian architectural heritage to be seen.
One of its lesser-known claims to fame is that it was at the old Aldershot Hippodrome that the great Charlie Chaplin gave his first public performance.
Another famous entertainer from Aldershot was the late Arthur English who was a member of Aldershot Rotary for some years. Arthur was made a Freeman of the Borough and at the ceremony was presented with a silver replica of the famous Wellington statue.
Ever since the days of our Founder President Norman Clinton, over 70 years ago, this Rotary Club has been representing and serving the town of Aldershot. Much has changed in that time of course, but above all our Club remains justly proud of the town, and we continually strive to ensure our town is proud of its Rotary Club.
You can find out more about Aldershot and the county of Hampshire by clicking on the excellent Hantsweb link.
