Chantry Rotary Presidential Handover

My year as President of the Rotary Club of Wakefield Chantry 2016/17 

After getting over the honour of being invited to be President of this 34 year old Rotary Club, the year started quickly and was only a week old when we hosted the annual Dragon Boat Race at Pugneys in Wakefield – over 700 participants, 32 teams and thousands of viewers braved what was to be a very successful but slightly damp day, with the sun shining through towards the end of the day. Meeting and showing round the Mayor and Consort on the day from both Wakefield and Kirklees was also a highlight. 

My other highlights for the year continued our tradition of hosting the Ladies Teas ( for Contact the Elderly charity), our annual Hog Roast for the tired paddlers and volunteers of Wakefield Chantry, the Legends Night Sportsman’s Dinner, the Brass Band Concert, Charter Night at Warterton Park Golf Club for the first time. 

2017 was our turn to host the visit from our Dutch sister Club – Hilversum Central and the 16 guests were treated to a beautiful day of sunshine, starting with a boat trip on the River Ouse, walking along the City Wall with a tour guide and finishing with a four course dinner and of course, many speeches of appreciation. 

Our regular meetings on a Tuesday evenings have been co-ordinated by Graham Wilson who altered evenings to allow more time for speakers of interest and we were very lucky to have some outstanding individuals over the course of the year. Including a greater contribution from our own members. They gave an excellent account of some of their experiences. My personal highlight - Trevor recounting  his 10 years at sea as a Merchant Seaman and travelling down the Volga(!!!) River middle in the middle of Russia in a very old tub – his words not mine, and his surviving a force 10 storm in the Sea of Japan. 

In my year we supported many charities in particular the Community Awareness Program in Wakefield, Hearing Dogs for the Deaf and Mind. These were in addition to the International Charities the club continues to support as well as many good causes 

I am very appreciative of the support of the Committee and our members in making my year such a memorable one. I wish Dick Wood all the best in his Presidency and for his help as my VP.