Oswestry Rotary Club recently held its 94th Charter Night at The Wynnstay Hotel in the town in the presence of members, family, friends, Oswestry Town Council Mayor Jay Moore and guests from clubs around the District including Wrexham Erddig, Bala and Penllyn, and the Vale of Llangollen.
Club President Jo Banks was on hand to welcome diners and, with the help of MC for the night, David Davies, ensure that the evening ran smoothly.
Jo was particularly pleased to introduce her guest speaker Ben Shevlin who had turned a life-changing situation into a career.
Originally from Oswestry, Ben suffered a road accident while on holiday in 2003 and sustained a brain injury which led to his re-discovery that he loved comedy.
Many years later, Ben took a stand-up comedy course in Manchester and created an act revolving around the bizarre situations which can arise as a result of his injury with which he regaled the entertained Charter Night guests.
The evening was brought to a close by Rotary District Governor Paul Dutton who thanked the Club for the restart of many of the Club’s activities after the pandemic – noting September’s LifeLine for our Year 6s and the recently completed Mock Interviews for Year 11s at The Marches – and presented two Paul Harris Fellowships to members.
Named after the founder of Rotary, a Paul Harris Fellowship is one of the highest awards that can be given in Rotary and is given to a Rotarian or a member of the community who has made an outstanding contribution to the community.
Jackie Ridge received a Paul Harris Fellowship while Ian Haigh received a Sapphire addition to his previous award. Both awards are well deserved and were greeted warmly by the Rotarians present.
Ben Shevlin.
Paul Dutton presents Jackie Ridge with a Paul Harris Fellowship.
Paul Dutton presents Ian Haigh with a Paul Harris Fellowship Sapphire Award.
(L-R) Assistant District Governor Mike Lade, Oswestry Town Council Mayor Jay Moore, Oswestry Rotary Club President Jo Banks and District Governor Paul Dutton.
