President Christina's closing remarks.

President Christina’s Closing Remarks

In the presence of DG Nick Gidney and his wife Sue, Christina rose to deliver her valedictory address.  With the aid of slides she took us back to her installation which was held, through the kindness of Bill and Annette, in their garden.  This was our first face to face meeting in 17 months.  She mentioned that we had inducted two new members. at the bowling green match event in Harrison Park,

She regretted that she had not attended many charter dinners as there were not many charter dinners to attend, but at those she did grace with her presence (Mid Wirral, North Wirral and Inner Wheel) she was well supported by other members of the club.

We continued meeting via Zoom until we met face to face for Fish and Chips at the Yacht Club.  This occasion, organised by John Earp was enlivened by a Ray Allen Quiz followed by a fabulous display of Belly Dancing in the sinuous form of the exotic Fatima.  I trust that the effect this had on Ray had nothing to do with his subsequent adventure in the Canaries!

Christina then mentioned her raising more than £1000 with her spectacular car race round Britain.  The rules were completely incomprehensible but great fun was had by all!  She then praised Secretary Doug for his help in this and along with Ray Allen, Bryan and Alistair, she thanked him for organising a Coffee Morning at Chris and Doug’s.  Alistair got a special mention for extracting lots of cash from the hapless attendees.  Bill was thanked for completing the Herculean task of collating all the banners the Club had received in the past and committing them to a memory stick.

At Christina’s Charter Celebration DG Nick saw Annette being awarded a PHF for her unstinting service to the Club and Rotary in general. 

Just before Christmas Manojit heard of a village near Calcutta where a tiger was molesting the citizens.  Bill organised a collection from members and local businesses and in the amazingly short time of two weeks, he had raised the £3000 required to install LED lights to frustrate the homicidal predator. 

Christina presided over a Christmas dinner party at Leasowe Castle, and she presented long service awards to a number of crinklies who hobbled forward in stunned amazement.

Of the many excellent speakers, she mentioned Hilary who eloquently described her sojourn in Australia, all the more remarkable as she had barely had time to recover from her jet lag.

Christina then hosted an excellent “At Home” in Hoylake where very well-fed members and partners played her version of “Would I Lie to You”.  She reminded us of Janet’s efforts in providing illustrated dictionaries for the children at three Seacombe schools and John’s prodigious endeavours in planting trees in every available space in Bebington and Arrowe Park.  She then mentioned Inner Wheel’s “A taste of Germany” evening featuring Wallasey Rotary’s world famous Schuhplattler Dance Team with their dazzling display of leg work!

Her memories of Partners and Friends’ Evening featuring Shaun’s Murder Mystery were enhanced by the pleasure of Michael’s chocolate bunny ears as prizes.  In all the years I have known him I had never noticed his leporine appendages, I shall look more closely next time and perhaps keep a little lettuce handy!

More chocolate was involved at Easter when Bill and Annette’s hallway was filled with countless Easter Eggs, subsequently delivered to nursing homes all over the borough by the elves of Wallasey Rotary.

We helped North Wirral with the parking for the Wirral Walk, we helped John plant an oak tree for the Queen’s Jubilee and Tony promised to water it every day for the next 100 years.  I hope to be around to check up on him when that day arrives!  Secretary Doug’s relatives climbed a mountain to raise money for charity and Alistair had pleasure in presenting a sizeable cheque to “Stick ‘n’ Step.

Bill and Annette came up trumps yet again by inviting us to their home for a Jubilee Celebration with their family.  It was particularly gratifying to see Aruna there after her recent indisposition.

Christina’s presidential year entered its final stages with Fish and Chips at the Yacht Club, organised by John, Tony and Annette, closely followed by Mike’s Race Night at the Leasowe Golf Club.  Manojit and Raj won the Presidents Trophy (I never knew that they could run so fast!).  Over £1000 was raised including £50 from the people at the Golf Club.

She closed by thanking everybody for their support and help in a very difficult year and wished Annette the very best for her coming presidency.  Annette responded by agreeing that the last two years had been an uphill struggle and she praised Christine for the way she had coped with it.  She finished by proposing a toast to Christina which was heartily endorsed by all the Club members.

Finally DG Nick rose and addressed us, in what was effectively his last speech as District Governor.  He expressed his amazement at the various achievements accomplished by the Rotary Club of Wallasey in the past difficult year and wished President Christina, incoming President Annette and all the Club members well for the future.