Ellesmere Rotary enjoyed a wonderful meal at the Greek Meze Restaurant in Cross Street, Ellesmere for their President’s Night on Wednesday 21st of June, which also included “Handover”.
Outgoing President, Derek Clifford has been in the saddle for two years, during what can be described as “interesting times” – with the continuation of Covid restrictions hampering activities for many months, subsequently followed by the hard work necessary to “normalise” activities in an environment that has moved on. Derek commended members for their hard work in supporting both local and international charities through their fund-raising efforts despite such obstacles, in particular highlighting the responses to the war in The Ukraine and the Turkish earthquake emergency.
He added, “I am very grateful to Committee Chairs and the membership for their support this past two years, most especially to Treasurer, Peter Cartledge and Secretary, Anne Clifford. Also, I am grateful that we live in a town where the people appreciate what Rotary tries to achieve and where they are so generous towards those less fortunate than themselves”. New President, Geoff Corfield takes over from July 1st and Carole Smith becomes President Nominee. Geoff thanked both Derek and Anne (who is standing down from the role of Secretary after four intensive years) for the crucial part that they have played in keeping Ellesmere Rotary a flourishing concern in difficult times, and he wished them a well-earned rest!
Subsequently Geoff and Committee Chairs outlined the busy programme of events and activities that Ellesmere Rotary will organise and/or assist with; and the causes that it will seek to champion in the coming twelve months. Ellesmere is a very lively town in a normal summer, with the Regatta, Classic Car Show, Carnival, 10k Run, Swim a Mile, and Triathlon following rapidly on from each other. Rotarians will act as marshals at all of these in order to help with the raising of funds for charity – be that charity local, national or international. Members reiterated their commitment to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, where final success for Rotary International and its partners is tantalising close due to recent vaccine developments; and to Rotary’s Lend with Care programme, which fosters business start-ups in developing countries. The weekly Youth Project will continue to run on Tuesday evenings in The Market Hall and now that Covid restrictions are a fading memory, Ellesmere Rotary will look to re-acquaint the Town’s youngsters with competitions such as Young Chef, Young Writer, Young Musician etc, plus foster a sense of service to the community through Rotakids and Interact initiatives.
Anyone wishing to find out more about Ellesmere Rotary can pick up a leaflet from the pop-up second-hand book shop in Robert’s in Cross Street, which is open on Friday and Saturday mornings through July and August, by kind permission of Debbie Hayward.
