Rotary Presidents' surprise visit to Llantwit Major Probus Club

On Tuesday 13 November 2012 the monthly meeting of the Llantwit Major Probus Club meeting at 'Illtyd 216' had a surprise visitor.  Probus Chairman, David Lane, welcomed Rotary President John Clarke to the meeting and invited him to speak to the club.  John Clarke said that he was delighted to visit Probus which had been a great success in the town since its original formation as a Rotary initiative back in 1987.  The reason, however, for his visit that day was the presentation of the annual Llantwit Major Rotary Club's Achievement Award.  This award had been presented annually for more than twenty years to a man, woman or organisation who, often as a result of quiet hard work, had by their efforts brought distinction to the town.  Previous recipients had included amongst them tireless workers for charities, sports achievers, those who overcame physical disabilities to lead normal lives and also the L.M. Town Twinning Group for so successfully forging strong ties with Le Pouliguen  in France.

This year, John Clarke, said was unusual in that two names had come forward for consideration and eventually the Rotary Club had decided that it was not possible to choose one above the other for this year's award.  Consequently, for the first time in the history of the award it had been decided to select the two names as joint winners.  It so happened that both winners were members of the Llantwit Major Probus Club and so, with the agreement of Chairman David Lane, John Clarke had come to Probus that morning to make the presentations.  The winners of the 2012 Llantwit Major Rotary Achievement Award were: Mr Ken Owen and Mr Keith Young.

Mr Clarke said that Ken Owen, who became Secretary of Probus in 1991  shortly after the club's formation, had, by his dedication over twenty years, been instrumental in helping the club become one of the most successful organisations in the town.  Ken and his wife Pat were from Wrexham and have been married for sixty-two years.  Ken worked for many years in Lagos as Port Manager for Unilever.  Also when serving in the RAF during the war he was seriously injured but this had never prevented him leading a full and active life in the community.  Ken and Pat Owen have lived in Llantwit Major since 1973.

Keith Young, a retired headmaster and Past Chairman of Probus, was originally from Blackwood but has lived in Llantwit Major with his wife, Christine, for many years.  He had been the conductor of the twenty strong Cantorion Illtud a choir which had entertained the community for twenty-five years before giving their final concert in August of this year.  Cantorion had contributed to church events, had visited old people's homes and had supported many organisations at major events including the annual Rotary President's Night service of dedication in St Donat's Church.  John Clarke said that under Keith Young's leadership  Cantorion had enhanced the cultural excellence of the town for more than a quarter of a century for which we can all be grateful.

The two recipients were each presented with a framed citation and a cheque.  There is also an Award Shield with their names on for them to share for the year.