Middleton Rotary a 'vibrant' Club

Past President John Brooker, new member Gillian Murphy, new President Jeff Lawton, new members Elizabeth Birkett, Marchele Court and Martin Murphy

John Brooker handed the presidency of the Middleton Rotary Club over to Jeff Lawton, on Monday 2 July.

Mr Brooker said: “It was a great pleasure to 'hand over' the Presidency to Jeff Lawton. Jeff is a long serving and very experienced Rotarian, who has previously served a three year term of office as an Assistant District Governor.

“Jeff has devoted a great deal of time and energy preparing for his year as President and I know that under his leadership, Middleton Rotary Club is going to have a very successful year.”

Jeff Lawton spoke of his new Presidency: “I am looking forward to being the President of our forward looking club. I am also looking forward to getting everyone working together and having lots of fun at the same time.

For the commencing year, Mr Lawton wants: “the club as a whole to progress in all ways.” He added: “The programme is expensive this year; we have major plans and events both abroad, such as Africa and at home.”

Jeff Lawton has been a member of the Rotary club for 21 years; he has also served as a Club President for the Rotary year 2002/3. In that time he has seen the club develop immensely. He said: “I have witnessed major changes. It used to be a traditional, old fashioned club but is now modern and pertinent.

“Much of this came about with the change of accepting women as members, which some clubs in Rochdale still do not. We now do lots which we would never have envisioned doing before. We are much more serious and there is a completely different atmosphere.

“We really care about what we are doing instead of the Rotary Club being for status. We want to help people, and have some fun at the same time.”

John Brooker said: “It is always an honour to be President of a Rotary Club and I felt very honoured when asked, 18 months ago, if I would consider becoming President of Middleton Rotary club for the Rotary year 2011/12.

“My main aims for my year as President were to continue to try to move the Club forward, to encourage and support the ideas and suggestions of members, to provide a platform for new members to develop their ideas and interests and to make them feel that they had an important role to play in the development of Middleton Rotary Club.

“A 'New Ideas' committee was formed, made up of new members from the previous three years, to give them the opportunity to have a voice within the Club. Also, the 'New Members' were given positions of Vice Chairs of various committees to provide them with opportunities to attend Club Council meetings, where all the important decisions are made.”

During Mr Brooker’s year as President, three new high calibre members were inducted into Middleton Rotary Club. They brought with them differing interests and skills which will help to advance the aims of Rotary.

Earlier this year, Presidents for the next three Rotary years were appointed. The four of them often met to discuss future plans, to ensure the continuity of development within the Middleton Rotary Club.

Mr Brooker concluded: “Thanks to the tremendous support I received during my year as President, Middleton Rotary Club achieved all the annual targets as set out in the Business Plan in July 2011. A great achievement thanks to all the efforts and hard work of every Club member.

“Middleton Rotary Club continues to be a vibrant Rotary Club where we have a lot of fun, raising money for both local community groups as well as for international projects. There is certainly a welcoming atmosphere within the Club which our many visitors feel when they attend Club meetings.”

Middleton Rotary Club welcomes potential new members at any of the weekly meetings (not Bank Holidays) at The Norton Grange Hotel, Castleton on Mondays at 6:45pm.

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