Weekly Meeting

Ray was born in 1942 near Wembley, Middlesex, a prime target for WW2 flying bombs, and led very much a “feral life” while his parents were at work. At school Ray failed his 11+ exam but by the time he left at 15 he had achieved RSA examinations while also doing three paper rounds and a grocery delivery. It was during this time that his sense of service was formed; joining the cubs he progressed to the Rover level achieving a Queen’s Scout award on the way. At 12 years old he returned to the cubs to help run the pack and there he met his wife to be, Jenny.

His first job was as an indentured apprentice as a heating and ventilation engineer and his career blossomed after. He was good at trouble shooting and transferred to a commissioning job moving on later to a number of other companies where he worked as development, sales and contracts managers in Dorset, Sussex and London.

Jenny and Ray married in 1964 and have two children, both now in their 50’s. They have always had a strong social life since their early days particularly in their love of jazz, but also dancing and taking in shows. Ray developed a love of sailing while in Dorset and continued this when the moved to Bexhill, running the Bexhill sailing club school with Jenny for 11 years and eventually taking over as Commodore and throughout enjoying the social life that went with the club.

In 1999 Ray was invited to join Bexhill Rotary and since has been a member at Hastings, Sovereign Harbour as a founder member and now Senlac. During his Rotary career Ray has served in many posts at Club and District level and has been involved with international exchanges and the International Caravan Fellowship of Rotarians. Elected to District Governor for 2015 to 2016, Ray was sadly diagnosed with Lymphoma during his governorship but still carried on with his duties; thankfully, he is now recovered. Until last year Ray was District Chair for Rotary Foundation as well as part of the web team of which he is still a member.

Ray was inducted in to Senlac Rotary Club in November 2022 and brings a wealth of Rotary experience to the club which will certainly be put to good use, Welcome to Senlac!