AROUND 40 members and guests attended this year's handover dinner held at Ross Golf Club on June 29, where outgoing president Tina Atkins handed over the presidency of Ross Rotary Club to Stewart Ross.

Among the guests were assistant district governor Colin Hunt and, representing the past year's president's charity, Vicky Nicholson-James of Marches Family Network. After acknowledging the excellent work of the charity and describing some of the years shared events, Tina presented a cheque for £3,000 to Vicky to support their ongoing work. Having been moved by the dedication of everyone concerned with the charity, guest Mansel Hiles donated a further £1,000 to Marches Family Network. Vicky responded by saying how overwhelmed she was with the hospitality, warmth, and support Ross Rotary had shown to her and everyone involved with Marches Family Network and sincerely thanked everyone for their wonderful generosity.

Tina spoke of the highlights of her year mentioning the charity concert, working with Ross Lions on a successful second Beer and Cider Festival and strengthening links to British Legion, youth groups and schools and having Rotary representation on ART. She also emphasised two key events, the evening celebrating Michael Green's 50 years in Rotary and the passing of Rotarian Behrokh Behroozi-Toossi who sadly lost her fight with cancer in May. In her memory, the club made a donation of £300 to St Michael's Hospice.

Tina then removed the chain of office and placed it on incoming president Stewart Ross who subsequently invested Alan Hammond as president elect, Richard Williams as president nominee and secretary and Brian Roe as treasurer. Stewart talked of his aspirations for his time in office using the theme of "be a gift to the world" expressed by Rotary international president Ravi Ravindran. Stewart looked to increase membership of the club and to make the club more visible to the local community. He also spoke in detail of the many events planned for the coming year, which include the Model Railway Exhibition at JKHS in August and a third Beer and Cider Festival with Ross Lions in May.

Assistant governor Colin Hunt congratulated Stewart on becoming president of Ross Rotary Club. He was impressed with the planned programme of events and offered his services both as a conduit to district and provision of practical day to day support.

One further highlight of the evening was the award of a Paul Harris Fellow to Janet Bastock in recognition of her work in Ross Rotary.

The club meets every Monday evening 6.30 for 7pm at the Chase Hotel. Guests and potential members are very welcome. Visit the website rossrotary.com.