Retiring President Martin’s Comments:

Firstly, a quick look back at June’s meetings.

The 2^nd June saw us coming together for our 42^nd Charter Evening. Over sixty people attended. Longcliffe did us proud with great food and service. It was also a pleasure to welcome friend of Rotary, Sara Palmer, who delivered a speech, “42 Not Out”, which linked her life to where Rotary crossed her path. The audience appreciated the talk very much. Thank you Sara and we look forward to seeing you at the Lifting the Lid Concert on the 1^st July.

The 9^th June was the Club’s Assembly meeting setting the agenda and confirming the officers / team leaders for the 26/27 Rotary year. Roger led the meeting and his proposals for the upcoming year were unanimously ratified. We also had a moment of both joy (for her) and sadness (we will miss her) when our newest member, Francesca Smith Q, informed us she had been offered a position in Swindon. The club wish her well in this new opportunity and will support her transfer to an alternative Rotary Club. Always remember that, not just Francesca, but former members and their partners are always welcome to attend our meetings when in the area.

Monday 15^th June was our Charity Golf Day. (see this month’s photo feature) The weather was kind to us, the players and sponsors of the event in good form. Whilst the numbers have yet to be finally ratified, it looks like we had a record year with over £7,000 being raised. Many thanks to Garner and those other volunteers who made this one of our best years. The status for an event in 2027 is under review.

On the 23^rd June we enjoyed a lovely cruise on the Peter Le Merchant (PLM) narrow boat north to Normanton on Soar. Even being on the water, it was a sweltering evening, but the Plough at Normanton looked after us very well. Many people were also enjoying the canal / Soar on paddle boards etc: a joy to watch. We returned to Loughborough in time to catch the second half of the England / Ghana game (perhaps better if we had missed it altogether?). Please note that we have made a charitable donation to PLM of £500. Many thanks to Neil for organising this event. It does seem that if we need the sun we send for Neil and if we need rain / snow, then Martin and Susan B can be counted onto supply each for their events.

The evening of the 30^th June was our Handover evening. I would like to cover this as part of my last statement to the club as President.

President Martin’s closing remarks at Handover..

“This is my thirteenth VFTB (View from the Beacon) and by the time you receive this, I will have moved to being an IPP (Immediate Past President). It is appropriate that I spend a few moments reflecting on the past year.

Firstly, we should take a moment to remember those Rotarians who moved onto higher service this year.

I would like to put on record my thanks to the officers of the Club for their support in the past Rotary Year. Ian: Treasurer, Graham: Secretary, and the former PE: Roger. But the club is much more than these positions! Please keep in mind we had a change of officers at the start of the Rotary year due to a resignation. This happened about as seamlessly as it could have done.

We should also take note of the contributions made by Impact Group leaders, Ros and Stephen.

A big thank you to Council which includes the Club Officers as well as Impact group leads, plus Garner and Diane W. Thank you for your guidance for which this president has been thankful.

At the heart of the club is an active programme. The programme team was led by Neil: many thanks, and that of the club, to him and the team for producing an exciting and diverse programme.

We have two flag ship projects:

Firstly, the Home Starter Box team (which also includes Inner Wheel, who have just donated £2.5k to this project); that again has delivered more than a hundred boxes in the past Rotary year whilst raising the money to cover this. We have now moved past the 700^th HSB being delivered! Well done to all involved!

Secondly, Coats for Kids has delivered 477 coats to Charnwood primary school children who were on free school meals in the last winter. They have secured funding already for next winter. Credit is due to this team, who from a standing start two years ago, have created a great project.

The club continues to support various mentoring projects with schools and the King’s Trust. The recent long time running Literacy event at East Leake academy was an example of this.

Our fund-raising projects bring us together in ways that bring out the best of being a Rotarian, such as tin rattles and concerts; probably the one that has most long-term planning within it is the Plant Sale for which again this was a record year in terms of sales, profits and orders. Thank you again to all involved.

We / You have supported over 23 Charities in the past Rotary year. Over £44,500, including HSB and C4K has been awarded  to these charities / organisations. Apart from HSB and C4K, Beacon donated £19,200; LIG, £2,100 and JIG, £150.

However, it is not just about money: we have supported various tasks with over four thousand hours of voluntary work, be that supporting reading sessions at local schools or our Remembrance Day activities at the Carillion and Burton on the Wolds Primary school to name but a few.

Rotary is also about fellowship, and we have had a number of events which have brought members together for these fun activities.

A special thanks to our attendance officer who has a challenging task in keeping us all in line. Thank you Susan.

Helen plays a key role in maintaining links with young carers and Mountfield’s School

Almoner Rosemary has kept us up to date in a sympathetic and caring way with members issues. Again, thank you.

Lawrence and Sue have covered the Environmental and Sustainability roles in a very professional and diligent way both for the club and district.

A special thanks to Editor in chief of the VFTB Jackie who has brought the professionalism of this aspect to a new higher level.

I would like to put on record my thanks to every one of the clubs’ members: many of you go under the Radar, but what you do is significant. If I look back at my presidential year, could I have done things better? Without a doubt! Are there things I could have approached in a different way? For sure, yes! Are there things I would like to go back and change? For sure.

But what I could not have done is take this role on without all your support. At this point, I think we should recognise what each and everyone of you has done in the past Rotary year; without you, we would have no club. Thank you.

I write this before, in a few moments, I will retire into the shadows and do my bit from the back benches. Before I do, one of my last tasks is to name the Rotarian of the Year. This Rotarian was heavily involved in creating the enlarged club, but more than that, has played a significant part in making it work. A real credit to her. Can we show our appreciation to Ros Severn, Rotarian of the Year 25/26.

It is now time to hand over the chain of office to Roger Williams. I am fully confident that Roger will be a great 43^rd President!

Post Script:

As Martin sat down, he was surprised by a tribute from Rosemary, speaking on behalf of the Paul Harris Fellowship committee, to learn that he had been unanimously nominated as a Paul Harris Fellow by the group, a decision which was roundly applauded by the membership as a whole for his outstanding service, often in times of adversity, during his presidential year.    

THE 2026 GOLF DAY.. this month, a selection of images from this event..

PLUS.. a glorious – if very hot! – evening on the river and canal with Peter le Marchant..

OUR PROGRAMME –

(NB: As always, do check the Wiki for up-to-date information)