Will the real John Kitching stand up please?

John Kitching joined Aireborough Rotary in 2016 but has filled those 8 years with a plethora of achievements culminating in an eighteen month Presidency in 2022/23. Along the way he has been Team Leader on Youth and Education and latterly on Membership as well as being a regular Board member. When called upon running Rotary meetings is second nature to an actor.

On Youth he has kept in touch with our four Secondary Schools as well as Rawdon St Peters Primary School. He is a natural at telling pupils about Rotary in general and the range of competitions Rotary offers within District 1040. He is a champion of the Rotary Youth Leadership Award Scheme having mentored on it as well as interviewing, selecting and ferrying participants there and back. He also ensures they have the right gear before they go. Aireborough Rotary always finds two participants although last year was unusual in delivering four.

He is on the Leeds Technology Tournament Committee as an Aireborough representative maintaining contact with our four schools and encouraging their participation. On the day he takes part as a judge, 

Within the community he is well known and liked. He is a one-man promotion machine for Yeadon Town Hall Community Interest Company - a facebook regular as well as working in the Ticket Office and behind the bar. He recently pulled off a deal for the delighted ladies of the Thursday Tea Club to attend an Abba matinee at half price. He is Chief organiser of the Tea Club well supported by his wife Susan and Rotary members, sourcing both raffle prizes and entertainers. He revels in his role as bingo caller with his very own vocabulary for particular numbers.

The Annual Aireborough Beer Festival is another of his favourites, serving on the Committee and sharing the load in finding an original range of beers and an attractive range of musical performers. He will be found behind the bar at several sessions both serving and giving advice on choices.

He is a regular performer on stage in plays and pantomimes renowned for remembering his lines or not! Playing opposite him requires a cool head and an ability to ad-lib. Your next opportunity to check this out is in Upstagers production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in Ilkley where he is typecast as the 91 year old grandfather of the eventual winner. In his spare time he reviews shows professionally and candidly for the press in numerous local theatres.