60 Years of Service in Ascot

 

The Rotary Club of Ascot celebrated the 60th anniversary of its formation and charter last weekend.  Over 100 members and guests attended the Black Tie Gala Dinner at Dorney Lake on Saturday evening, including the Deputy Mayor of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Councillor Mrs Catherine Bursnell and her consort Councillor Tom Bursnell; the District Governor of the 60 Rotary Clubs in the Thames Valley area, Malcolm Boddington; The District Governor Elect, Terry Kenyon; the President of Ascot Inner Wheel, Beryl Williams; and representatives from other Rotary Clubs in France, Holland, Germany and the UK.

Eileen, Club President David, RBWM Deputy Mayor Councillor Mrs Catherine Bursnall, Anthony and Councillor Tom Bursnall

 

Rotarian James Lang, Vice President of the Rotary Club of Windsor and Eton, which is the mother club of the Rotary Club of Ascot, proposed a toast to the Rotary Club of Ascot, and paid tribute to its record of service both to the local community and in the broader humanitarian field.  Responding to the toast, President David Marshall of the Rotary Club of Ascot said “we shall continue to foster our liaison with your Club, and other Clubs in the area.”

During the course of the evening, Rotarian Norman Smith was presented with a Paul Harris Fellowship, the highest award for service that a club can bestow on one of its members.  A Certificate of Appreciation was presented to Rotarian Gordon Butcher, who has been a member of Ascot Rotary Club for 55 years, and who brought along some interesting anecdotes from the early days of the Club.  Long service awards were presented to Rotarians Neville Avens, Geoff Cook, Mike Leaman, Peter Short and Beverley Williams.  President David also inducted Tony Love as a new member into the Rotary Club of Ascot

The International visitors, who were spending the weekend visiting Ascot, had been taken on a visit to Blenheim Palace earlier in the day, and were due to make a visit to the RHS gardens at Wisley on the Sunday, came bearing gifts from their own clubs – a Jeroboam of sparkling wine from France, Dutch produce from the Netherlands and red wine from Germany.  In return they received commemorative plates.

President David Marshall presided over events.  The Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Vice President Colin Corio, and entertainment was provided by a talented group of singers from Eton College who perform under the name of “Incognito”.