At our Handover meeting, held at the Golden Lion Pub, Mark Butcher our outgoing President, welcomed our guest, Andy O’Hanlon, a trustee of the Winchester Poetry Festival.
After dinner, in addition to reading several poems, Andy gave us a brief outline about the Winchester Poetry Festival. It is a charity which shares, showcases, celebrates poetry. It is a hub for local poetry, encouraging and supporting poets of all ages – locally, nationally and internationally – from Winchester to the world.
Mark then handed over his president’s chain of office to Nick Bell, who takes on this responsibility for the second time. This Rotary year – July 2026 until the end of June 2027 is a very special year for Winchester Rotary – 9th May 2027 is our centenary. Our special Centenary Dinner will be held on Monday 10th May 2027.
Mark then outlined the events of his year, made much more challenging due to the illness and death of his father, entailing many tiring trips up and down to London.
Mark took on the responsibility of Treasurer for our Club Account during his presidency and already has put a great deal of work into sorting out our individual accounts, ready for our next Rotary year.
He has established a relationship with Wonderseekers at the Science Centre, greatly expanded the work of the Environment Team, planting a huge number of trees locally, expanded the Bird and Bat project.
He represented our club at the planting of the first Ginkgo Biloba tree at Barton Farm School, donated by the Mayor of Hiroshima.
Mark has become much more aware of the work done by our different teams within our club and is amazed at how much, now as a small club, we manage to achieve.
He expressed his thanks and appreciation to all members who give up their time to help and support the cub. He mentioned in particular, Shelagh Bird, our Speaker Secretary, Paul Russell for his support and knowledge sharing before and during Mark’s presidency. Mark also gave his thanks to all the team leaders, project managers, volunteers.
His closing words were, “I did it my way” – and what a good way it was.
Nick then thanked Mark for his wonderful year as president in which he accomplished many projects and expanded other existing ones. showing Winchester Rotary in a good light.
Nick outlined his hopes and goals for the next Rotary year.
He wants more fundraising ideas – each club tem to come up with a fundraising idea.
Each team to focus on a project for our centenary year.
To support the Garden Party for the Great Lakes project.
To consider corporate partnerships – referred to by District Governor Richard Burnett during his recent visit to our club.
Nick wants to see better provision of services to the commnity.
We wish Nick every success during what will, no doubt, be a complex, challenging and at times, difficult year. There will also be joy, fun and friendship. We will look forward to meeting again members of the French and German clubs – Le Havre de Grâce and Oberhausen Antony-Hütte. Not forgetting the highlight of 2027 – our 100th Anniversary Dinner.
Diana Brooks
