Club Handover

At a traditional Handover meeting the new incoming President receives the President’s Chain of Office from the retiring President. Only this year, unfortunately, there was no retiring President. Over the past twelve months the role of President had been shared by three Past Presidents with the President Elect (Richard Williams) taking over for the last six months of the Rotary Year. This meant the incoming President would receive the Chain of Office from himself and shake his own hand! Confusing!. To overcome this problem, a brilliant plan was hatched. The three Past Presidents would present the Chain of Office to the incoming President jointly. Simple!

Having got that tangle of handshakes out of the way, new President Richard Williams welcomed Rotarian Richard Manning as Treasurer and Rotarian Miles Halliwell as Secretary.

President Richard thanked the Club, and in particular the three Past Presidents who had supported him throughout the past six months while he was learning the ropes. He announced that fund raising efforts during his year of office will include another week in the Pop-Up Shop (October) and the annual Christmas Collection. He was pleased to announce that Father Christmas has agreed to appear again in Wellington in December. The Club will continue to support local schools and youth organisations, some of which are sometimes overlooked. President Richard confirmed that the Club will continue to support Water Survival Box, PolioPlus and Foundation, Rotary’s own charity. It was reported that the Club had occupied the Pop-Up Shop during the previous week and it had been noticeable that fewer people were around in the town. It was thought the closure of Junction 26 of the M5 was having an effect on trade in the town. When all the money is counted, the takings in the Pop-Up Shop will probably be down by 10%. Nevertheless, all the money raised will be used to support local charities.

He wished all the Club members an enjoyable Rotary year and closed by thanking the people of Wellington and the surrounding districts for their support, without which the Club would not be able to help so many worthwhile causes.

1. Past Presidents welcoming incoming President Richard Williams OBE                                                                                                 L-R Brian Withers, Paul Brunsch, President Richard Williams, Mike Webb 

2. New President Richard Williams OBE (left) and Secretary Miles Halliwell.

3. New President Richard Williams OBE (left) and Treasurer Richard Manning.