Rotary Club of Macclesfield Castle President’s handover.

There was a markedly rural setting for the Rotary Club of Macclesfield’s President Handover evening this year, in the garden of the Harrington Arms in Gawsworth.

In his address to members the outgoing President Chris Watson said, “It’s been an unusual year for Rotary this year, but one in which I’d like to think we rose to the challenges.

“When I look back we’ve certainly achieved a lot despite the circumstance.

”Over 1,000 presents were distributed to children in the local area through the ‘Toy from a Child to a Child programme’ and an offshoot of this saw children’s books distributed in Primary Schools in the area.

“Dragons’ Den held virtually this year saw us giving monies to support 5 local charities – Macclesfield Parish Church Scout and Guide group, the Rossendale Trust, Macclesfield Male Voice Choir, Disability Information Bureau and East Cheshire Hospice.

“Rotarians were also regular volunteers at the Covid vaccination clinics. Despite the Youth programme being hit badly by the disruption to local schools, we’ve still managed to run heats for the Young Photographer and the Intermediate and Senior Youth Speaks Competitions.

“The club has also continued to support the wider international community working with Inner Wheel and other local charities and schools to fill Shoeboxes to go to children in eastern Europe.

“We also work with our partner clubs in Europe to fund projects, most recently in Kenya and India, and we support other charities such as Lend with Care, Mary’s Wheels and Disaster Aid.

“Last but not least we support Rotary Foundation and all their amazing projects such as Polio Plus.”

Incoming President Bob Bracegirdle is a Macclesfield boy who has moved back to the area.

Bob has a wealth of experience in Rotary having been President elsewhere and an Assistant District Governor – and has an eclectic range of interests including railways, trams and buses, both real and model, classic cars, singing and playing music.

Bob is also an officer in two Fellowships of Rotary International.

Bob told the members, “I believe that Rotary is about fun, friendship and offering support for the local and international community.

“I know my project leaders have set ambitious programmes for the year, but I’m just as keen to get us all back together and meeting socially.”