ON June 27, 66 members and guests attended Ross Rotary Club's handover dinner at the Chase Hotel, where outgoing president Stewart Ross passed the leadership of the club to Alan Hammond. Guests Eileen Hammond, chairman of District 10 Inner Wheel and Terry Driscoll, president of Bookham and East Horsley Rotary Club were introduced and thanked Ross Rotary for their invitation.

During his review his presidency, Stewart said that he thoroughly enjoyed his time as president and went on to touch on some of the highlights. From an international aspect he spoke with pride of the End Polio Now project where the only cases of the disease in the past year have been in Pakistan and Afghanistan. As for local charities he was moved by the work of the Willow Trust, who provide free boat trips for the disabled, and Megan Baker House, who help children and adults with motor disorders such as cerebral palsy. He was pleased that annual fund raising events such as the Beer and Cider Festival and the Model Railway Exhibition enabled the club to financially support a number of local charities.

He then formally handed over the presidency to Alan and presented him with a gift of a Rotary tie and pen. Alan thanked Stewart for all his efforts in making the past Rotary year a very successful one.

Alan then presented badges of office to president elect Richard Williams, president nominee Philip Dazeley, secretary Stewart Ross, treasurer Brian Roe and Sergeant at Arms David Burgess.

Alan then went on to describe his aspirations for his presidential year. He talked about the function of the president as being that of coordinator of the members wishes and ideas. He spoke of the concept of a club as being a that of group of good friends with a common purpose and how powerful that concept can be. As an example he made reference to his previous club, Bookham and East Horsley Rotary Club, from where 18 members and partners travelled 130 miles to attend his handover dinner, which is, he said, a true meaning of friendship.

Assistant governor Colin Hunt gave his response and thanked Stewart for his year as president and wished Alan every success in the coming year.

The evening ended with the presentation of an album of press cuttings and photos to outgoing president Stewart and flowers to Lesley Ross and Eileen Hammond.

Ross Rotary Club meets every Monday evening 6.30pm for 7pm at the Chase Hotel. Guests and potential members are very welcome. Please visit our website at rossrotary.com