John Maddox takes over as Luton Rotary Club President

The new President of Luton Rotary Club is John Maddox, one of several Deputy Lieutenants of the County, former Director of Leisure Services for Luton until his retirement in 1994 and current Trustee of both The Steel Charitable Trust and The Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regimental Museum Trust.   Married to Mary, who was Inner wheel President on two occasions, they have been brought out of retirement to guide the club through the 90th Anniversary Year.  It will be a busy schedule for them both as golf for John and Keep Fit for Mary together with gardening, theatre trips and family will keep both very engaged. 

Chartered as Luton Rotary Club in 1927 the membership grew from a steering committee to over 130 members in 1970.  As they developed other Luton clubs, Luton North, Luton Chiltern, Barton-Le-Clay and Luton Someries numbers decreased affecting the Luton Club’s impact but dual gender membership of late is transforming matters.  He will be supported in his year by energetic Senior Vice President, Jack Walters who still coaches on a regular basis at Luton Athletic Club, and Kelly Brown who works tirelessly for Signposts, Luton and lights up a room with her infectious personality.

Amongst a range of fellowship social activities the Club plan an afternoon New Orleans Jazz Tea Party, will join with other Rotary Clubs to complete the ”Bandstand for Wardown Park”, host a sportsman’s dinner at the Chiltern Hotel with ex-football guest, Micky Quinn in October, and celebrate their 90th Charter with a dinner at Putteridge Bury in December.  As with other annual sporting occasions the club will be inviting a wide range of Rotary friends to enjoy the stories of Micky from his time with Portsmouth, Newcastle and Coventry.

The year continues through to June 2018 so there is not only room for many social events but also the opportunity to support several local charities.  John has named The Level trust as his main focus of attention as they move to new premises to promote their “Uniform Exchange” scheme.   Anyone interested to be part of regular activities, hearing informative speakers, whilst putting something positive back into the community may wish to contact Club Secretary, Peter Collins. Early retirees may be particularly interested as the Club meet at the Chiltern Hotel 12.30pm until 2.00pm weekly.

John Maddox
Luton Rotary Club
24th June 2017