CELEBRATING 78 YEARS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE

A black-tie dinner in the Golden Lion Hotel in Northallerton celebrated 78 years of service to the community by the Rotary Club of Northallerton. President John Prest welcomed all the guests and summarised the many charitable activities of the Rotary Club over the past year.

Chief among these were donating 4 canoes and equipment to Chopsticks and the Personal Learning Centre to assist young people with special educational needs to access the outdoors; a charity fundraising concert by the King’s Men, a Magical Burns Supper and a wine tasting evening; cheques presented to Neuroblastoma UK and the Friends of the Friarage Hospital; and support for several youth projects.

District Governor Anne Sutcliffe praised the Club for its achievements and its active work in the community. A message of greetings was read from Major Lil Gurung of the Rotary Club of Himalayan Gurkhas in Kathmandu, recognising the strong support for Nepal by Northallerton Rotary over more than a decade.

The guest speaker was Kevin Broom, headteacher of Northallerton School and Sixth Form College. He outlined his key objectives of excellent academic outcome, inclusivity, smartness, and making students into good people as the future of the nation. He admitted to high expectations and was determined to fulfil them.

A raffle, with prizes donated by Northallerton businesses:-

J Thompson Family Butchers, Fiori Florists, Chopsticks, Men’s Shed, Hair Secrets, the Golden Lion Hotel, and several Club members raised £235, which will be doubled by a generous donor and presented to Chopsticks, the President’s chosen charity for this year.

Photo 1: Top table guests, front row left to right: Gemma Broom, District Governor Anne Sutcliffe, John Prest’s daughter Louise Bramley, and Cllr Julie Hutson.

Back row: left to right: Kevin Broom, Northallerton President Elect Joy Rowley, Northallerton President John Prest, and Cllr Colin Hutson.