Chatterbox 0811 - Rotary Club of Belper

Installation of President Martin Drake
July 4th 2011
As would be expected, there was a good turnout of both members and their
Rotary regalia for this special meeting. The Master of Ceremonies this year was
Vernon Barnes and he steered us through the meeting with a firm but gentle hand,
starting with Grace from David Soul. After battling with whole roasted poussin
followed with hot chocolate fondant (= brownie!), we had the final Loyal Toast, with
prompting from the MC, from retiring President David Harris.
Foundation Chair David Soul proposed the toast to Rotary International and the
company was then ready for President David’s Valedictory Address. However,
Secretary John Scotney broke into the planned programme to report on two items
of interest to the club from the District Handover Dinner held on the 1st July. First,
he was able to pass onto President David a ‘President’s Citation’ awarded by RI in
recognition of the numerous activities carried out by the club in the last Rotary Year.
Secondly, he was delighted to show members the District Club Bulletin Shield which
had been awarded to the club for the third time in the last six years. Back to the
programme, the full version of the Valedictory Address has been printed in the
May/June Chatterbox which was distributed at the end of the Installation meeting.
The formal part of the meeting then took place. David Harris ceremoniously
handed over his chain of office to Martin Drake, thus officially assuming the position
of President 2011/2012 and in the absence of Martin’s sponsor to club membership
in 1992, John Scotney presented the Expression of Goodwill. The new President
then presented David with the IPP’s Badge and jewels and proceeded to invest
Graham Wright with the Badge of Office as SVP.
Two of the Honorary Officers were standing down, David Henson as Treasurer
and John Scotney as Secretary. After thanking them for their many years of service
to the club, President Martin welcomed their replacements Peter James and Nick
Blurton.
In a brief address, President Martin thanked all those members of the club
who had agreed to take on the various roles within the club structure. He was sad
that the club was losing two of its lady members; Vicky Horwood because of family
commitments and Chris True who had now moved back home near York. Chris, near
to tears, thanked the club for the way we had welcomed her into our midst and we
wish her all the best and hope she finds another Rotary Club locally where she can
continue her fellowship and service.
Finally, the newly installed President closed the meeting by proposing the
Toast – Rotary and Peace the World over.
John Scotney
Photograph of the Installation on page 2.
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