Presidential Handover & lunchtime meeting with speaker

Our first meeting of the 2019-20 Rotary year started off with the handover of our club presidency from outgoing President Phil Tanner to fellow Rotarian John Loran. This was followed with the handover of the offices of President Elect and President Nominee to fellow rotarians Richard Everitt and Dave Gardner respectively.

Our speaker today was Nicky Alberry 'High Sheriff of Wiltshire 2018-19', now recently retired from this role. Nicky also 'Deputy Lieutenant of Wiltshire' and a member of the Rotary Club of Swindon spoke in depth to us about the role of the High Sheriff over hundreds of years and identified some familiar names who have held the role. We heard how Nicky used her year as High Sheriff to raise awareness of Domestic Abuse & Funds for those organisations supporting victims & their families. At the end of the meeting President John presented Nicky with a donation to Swindon Women’s Aid of which Nicky is Chairman.

In addition to all of the above we were also delighted to welcome guests President Peter Wyman and Philip Dawson both of the RC of South Cotswolds, Lynn Withey from the RC of Swindon North and honorary members Ken and Jennie Morling.