OVER 90 people attended the Rotary Club of Oswestry’s Charter night recently when the Club’s members and guests from around the district came together for a dinner to celebrate the 88th anniversary of the founding of the Oswestry Club.

The Club president Ian Haigh welcomed everyone to the evening – in particular, Molly Youd, the district’s first female Rotary District Governor, and the evening’s guest speaker John Croft.

After the meal, John entertained the gathering by recounting stories drawn from his lifelong interest in George Formby focussing on the complex relationship with his wife the formidable Beryl Ingham. The audience found it incredible that at one time George had been the biggest earning filmstar in the world. George and Beryl were a complex team; not only was Beryl George’s manager, putting together great deals for him, but she was also crucial to his performances. The pair travelled everywhere together – even war zones to entertain the troops.

John brought his slot to a close with a well-received performance of a medley from the George Formby songbook which he accompanied on his own ukulele-banjo.

President Ian Haigh was delighted to be able to announce that the Oswestry Club had committed £500 to join with the Rotary Club of Northwich Vale Royal and the local Mombasa Bahari Club Rotary Club to progress a Global Grant Project in partnership with the UK registered charity Under The Mango Tree. The project will support education and provide clean water to benefit Kambe Timboni Nursery and Primary school in Kenya. Peter Chapman, President of Northwich Vale Royal, said “We are very grateful for Oswestry’s support. We hope other Clubs in our District will join us and make this project happen.”

In the final event of the evening, and a surprise to the recipient, District Governor Molly Youd awarded Rotarian Peter Hill with a Paul Harris Fellowship to recognise his outstanding service to Rotary since he joined the Rotary Club of Caterham in 1994. DG Molly summed up the evening ” I had a lovely night and it was great to have the honour of presenting a Paul Harris Fellowship to a very deserving Peter.”

Pictured: Oswestry School Interact Club (L-R) Treasurer Roly Hancock, President Lucy Lowry, Sian Grice, Secretary Claudia Angell-James, Teodora Nanescu