Baldock Rotary President Handover Meeting

Presidential Handover 2026

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Across the world, the new Rotary Year begins on 1^st July and it is the time when each Rotarian Club President passes the chain or ribbon and medal of office to his or her successor. The actual handover ceremony often takes place a few days before on the day that the club normally meets. IT is also a time of changeover of the Rotary International President and the many District Governors across the world.

Baldock Rotary Club says a big thanks to our retiring President for all his good work during the last year and welcomes our new President for the 2026-2027 year.  We normally do this by celebrating with a formal dinner with everyone dressing up for the occasion. This year a party of thirty-five comprising Rotarians spouses, partners and guests attended over dinner at Letchworth Golf Club.

After an excellent meal, Paul Brown, our outgoing President, reviewed the last year’s activities including our popular Christmas programme of Town Lights and Santa sleigh, Open Gardens and continuing work on the second Rotary Wood. Fundraising from the Santa sleigh, the annual Jazz Concert and Open Gardens had generated significant funds allowing charitable donations to be made. Paul thanked all in the club and others from the community who had assisted with fundraising and supported social events throughout the year, which makes our Rotary events such a success. Being a member of Rotary provides fellowship and companionship in our world.  

During the past year donations have been made to numerous charitable causes.  International charities have included ShelterBox and Convoy4Ukraine. Closer to home donations were made were to the British Heart Foundation, Resolve, National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society, Hertfordshire Police Historical Society, Kidney Research and Addenbrooke's Kidney Patients Association. Locally, donations were made to schools and nurseries, churches, Baldock Museum, Scouts and Guides and Garden House Hospice.

Outgoing President Paul then inducted our new President, John Wilburn, with the Presidential Regalia. In turn, President John thanked Paul for his year of office and outlined his hopes and vision for the club in 2026-2027 year. President John went on to say that we will continue to do the things that we do well and we will introduce a range of new ventures and activities which we hope will appeal to new prospective members.

President John then closed the formal procedures for the evening with our final toast “Rotary and Peace the World Over.” Our Individual Rotary Membership is valid and recognised world-wide!

Baldock Rotary welcomes new members, so if you are the type of person who wishes to “give something back to the Community” and enjoy the fellowship with like-minded people while doing so, then Rotary might be just the organisation for you!

Our activities and aims can be summarised as;
Running and supporting Rotary Projects, fund-raising for charitable causes, support for the local community, aid for international disasters and making new friends and enjoying our social events.

If you are interested in any aspect of what Rotary has to offer, please contact us on our website, Baldock Rotary Club, or contact our Membership Secretary, Michael Muir, tel. no. 07909 002631, e-mail michael.muir@north-herts.gov.uk