PP BARTLE HODGKINSON PHF

Kirkham Rotarian Reaches His Century.

A Past President of Kirkham Rotary Club, Bartle Hodskinson, has been feted by his Club and a new lectern dedicated in his honour after celebrating his 100^th birthday.

Club Secretary Nick Reid-Craft said: “Bartle spent his birthday in Blackpool Victoria Hospital with pneumonia, where the nurses made a real fuss of him and displayed all his birthday cards, particularly the one from The Queen. But he’s now back at The Manse, Kirkham, where he has been cared-for in recent years and where his family visit him every day.”

Bartle’s life has been one of hard work, service and dedication. After leaving school at the age of 14 he rose to become Production Manager of Progress Mill, Kirkham, but in 1939 had to leave his job to serve in the Army. He finally returned to civilian life in 1946. He was elected to Kirkham Urban District Council in 1962, the same year that he became a magistrate, and was Council Chairman in 1969. He remained on the Council until local government reorganisation in 1974.

Mr Hodskinson’s history of public service has been recognised by his Club. He became a Rotarian in 1960, was made a Paul Harris Fellow in 1997 and in 2010 was presented with a certificate to mark 50 years of Rotary membership. The following year Bartle was awarded the coveted Paul Harris Sapphire