Rtn Phil Brooks was installed as the Rotary Club of Sandbach’s 79th president at the lunchtime meeting last month.
The chain of office was handed over by Rtn Stuart Blackwell, who had acted for the second time as president in the previous Rotary year. He was thanked for his commitment and efforts for the club – and even his one-liner jokes – by Rtn Keith Ludlam, the senior member of the club.
The president-elect for the next Rotary year is Rtn Graham Bradford, a local retail trader, who has been a member of the club since 2011.
Rtn Brooks said that he would continue to foster the Rotary values of service and fellowship during his turn of office. He was looking forward to the club organising another meal pack event in the autumn to support the charity Rise Against Hunger, albeit on a smaller scale than the previous one in 2023. A sponsored walk in aid of End Polio Now would also take place on 24th October, World Polio Day.
Rtn Brooks is the husband of Coun Ann Nevitt, the mayor of Sandbach, and also acts as her consort. He said that the two roles would ensure that his diary will be filled!
The Rotary meeting also unanimously agreed to make Rtn Bill Whittaker, who had originally joined the club in 1983, and who had been the club’s community service organiser, giving excellent service for many years, an honorary member of the club.
Rotary Sandbach was founded in 1945 and next year will mark the 80th anniversary when it is hoped to stage a suitable event to mark the occasion.
The last duty of the outgoing president was to induct a new member, Paul O’Harro, into the club.
For more information about the Rotary Club of Sandbach, visit sandbach-rotary.org.uk.
