Welcome to

Your Pilgrims

(The 2003-2004 Members of the General Council of RIBI)

All you ever wanted to know about this years District Governors but where afraid to ask

- just click on their name or their district.

RIBI President IP President Vice President RI Director Hon. Treasurer RIBI Secretary
1010 1020 1030 1040 1050 1060
1070 1080 1090 1100 1110 1120
1130 1140 1150 1160 1170 1180
1190 1200 1210 1220 1230 1240
1250 1260 1270 1280 1290  

 

Brian Stoyel Tony de St. Dalmas Gordon McInally David Morgan David Holmes Robin Freeman
Iain Young Ian Geddes David Conway Milton Frary Chris Boyes Tom Cryer
Roger May Malcolm Whittley Ian Black Michael Gelder Alan Hollands Dennis Rose
Robert Hunter Peter Meldrum J. Howard Griffiths Frank Arnold Geoff Booth Ian McMinn
Robert Wright John Campkin Keith Higgins Neil Sharman Ian Campbell Ray Burman
Barry Hopkins John Hopkins Les Connell Mike Cavendish John Rogers  

            

Vice President Gordon McInally and Heather
Picture to follow Picture to follow

Gordon McInally was born in Edinburgh in 1957 – reliable sources report that he was such an ugly baby the midwife slapped his mother! Gordon was educated at the city’s Royal High School. Thereafter, he studied Dentistry at the University of Dundee graduating in 1980. He returned to Edinburgh, working initially in the Community Dental Service and since 1983 in General Dental Practice. He has held local teaching and examining posts for Dental Surgery Assistants and is a past Chairman of the East of Scotland Branch of the British Paedodontic Society.

His hobbies include rugby (sadly nowadays solely as a spectator, his career having been cruelly cut short by a serious lack of talent!), the occasional game of golf, photography, food, wine and travelling, especially in France where the family has managed to combine many of these hobbies during several happy holidays. He is an elder of the Church of Scotland and served a five year term of office as chairman of Queensferry Parish Church Congregational Board.  

Gordon joined the Rotary Club of South Queensferry in 1984 and has held many key positions in the club, including Hon. Secretary (1987-89) and President (1991-92). He became chairman of District 1020’s Community Service committee in 1992, serving in this post until 1994 when he became District Vice Chairman and subsequently District Governor, a position he held during the Rotary year 1997-98. He has served on several committees for Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland; Club Service, Management Review, Triennial Review and Community & Vocational Service, which he chaired from 1999-2001. As Vice President Elect he currently serves on the Leadership Training committee and the RIBI Appointments Board. Gordon has served RI as a Moderator at two Rotary Institutes, in Northampton (1996) and Lyon (2001) and as a Zone Coordinator for the R.I. Avoidable Blindness Task Force. He was a Group Training Leader at the RI Governors Elect Training Seminar in November 2002.

Gordon is a strong supporter of the ideal that Leadership should reflect Membership and, at a time when, as an organisation, Rotary must look to recruit younger, working members, he takes great pride in the fact that at the age of 46, he will lead R.I.B.I. during Rotary International’s Centenary year of 2004-05 as its youngest ever President whilst still continuing in practice as a dental surgeon. He is, however acutely aware of one thing that must be borne in mind by everyone as we prepare for the Centennial Year and that is the fact that, between now and then, Rotary celebrates its ninety ninth year! There are many worthwhile causes to be supported during 2003-04. It is essential that we have a successful ninety ninth year – the Centenary is important but it must not be allowed to overshadow that year.

Rotary, understandably, takes up a major part of his spare time and Gordon is on record as saying that none of his Rotary work would be possible without the unfailing support of Heather who is a member of the Rotary Club of Linlithgow Grange and his business partner John who does not have the time to be a member of a Rotary club thanks to Gordon’s frequent absence from the practice on RIBI business!

Gordon and Heather, who herself has a busy career as a music teacher and professional singer, have two teenage daughters, Sarah (18) who has recently started studying law at Glasgow University and Rebecca (16) who is still at High School in South Queensferry. Rebecca has a keen interest in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution, an interest she says that has been brought about by her being a member of the McInally family for sixteen years!

 
1010 - Iain Young and Evelyn

One of 5 D.G.’s in 2003/04 General Council with the name Ian, but the only one of the 5 who spells his name correctly – Iain, Gaelic for John.  I was born, and brought up in Dundee, but now living in Monifieth, a commuter suburb of Dundee.   Educated at Morgan Academy, Dundee, and commenced employment with D.C. Thomson, the newspaper, and periodical publishers, at the tender age of 16.   My English master was quite concerned that I would be involved with what he termed trashy comics, and boys’ periodicals, where the English language was perhaps not used quite correctly.

Served two years National Service in the Military Police in Germany, with the intention of returning to the civilian Police Force.   However it shows that our intentions do not always follow through to what we eventually make our permanent vocation.   Returning to the newspaper industry I was seconded to Advertising, and became a Sales Rep., for a year or two, and after a short time selling Office Equipment, I found myself in Packaging in 1961.   I was involved in the Packaging Industry (Distributor) for 42 years, through many company direction changes, rising from Sales Rep., to Managing Director.   Latterly I was one of two principal shareholders in a Management Buyout of three companies being merged into one, with three divisions, supplying Printing, Packaging, and Stationery, to Industry, and Commerce.   Finally retired in March 2002, retaining an interest in the company as one of the principal shareholders, and a consultant.

Over a period of many years, and during most of my Executive business life, I was involved in the Packaging Distributors Association, taking our company into the organisation as Founder members.   Following some years of Executive Committee membership, I was elected President for a two-year term in 1988/90.   As a result of declining membership of the small to medium sizes companies making up membership, I was re-elected for a second term in 1995. with the express mandate of merging the Association with a larger, stronger Association.   This we did successfully with the British Box & Packaging Association, where I became the first Suppliers Division Chairman of the new association.

For many years I was involved in the Boys’ Brigade, as boy, and following National Service became an Officer, and Captain of a Company.   During this time also, I was involved in the administration of the local Battalion, as an Executive member, and Chairman of two committees.   The Battalion President was the Chairman of a locally based Wholesale Shoe Merchant, who put my name forward for membership of Rotary.   I joined the Rotary Club of Dundee in March 1976, and served in many capacities in that club, becoming President in 1990/91.  During that period I had been elected to District 1010 in 1984 as District Community Services Chairman, and have served the District in many capacities including District Secretary for 5 years, part of that tenure whilst I was Club President.   Awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship in 1995, and a very proud recipient of that award from my peers.

Married to Evelyn for 32 years, with two sons Stuart 30, and Malcolm 28.   Evelyn’s great love is Flower Arranging (Floral Art), and she has served two terms as Chairwoman of her own Flower Club (although she is a member of another two clubs).   She is also 1st Vice Chairwoman of the Scottish Association of Flower Arranging Societies (SAFAS), and will move into the Chair in Nov 2004.   She is an Area Demonstrator, Area Judge, and Area Speaker, which takes her all over Scotland demonstrating to Flower Clubs and judging various Floral Art Shows.   She also has a great Interest in various Craft based activities.

Stuart is a Chef, and manages two kitchens in Dundee, in bar/bistro type establishments, serving mainly the student population, as both are sited close to the Dundee University campus.   He manages staff in both kitchens, and is responsible for the buying of food, and produce, menu changes, and the production of ideas for new dishes when menus change.   Malcolm is a qualified PGA Golf Professional and has been teaching on a resort on the West coast of Portugal for almost three years.  He is the Senior Teaching Assistant, and with the advent of a new hotel being built on the resort, he and his Head Professional hope for an expansion of their teaching activities in the not too distant future.

You would expect that with a chef, and golf professional in the family, that I would be able to cook and play an excellent game of golf, not so, I am hopeless at both, and I think that both sons, and my wife, have given up on me, as the best I can do, is open tins, and operate the microwave.   It’s almost like the old story if you want your video set; get the kids to do it!!! 

     
1020 - Ian Geddes and Olive
I am a teacher of Modern Languages - (French  and Spanish) at George Watson's College, the largest Independent School in the UK having taught at Loretto School, Musselburgh from 1978-90 which is the smallest Boarding School in Scotland!

I was Educated at George Heriot's School Edinburgh 1960-1973 where I was Dux of French and in the Rugby xv 1971-2-3 and the Cricket xi 1972-3 and at the University of Edinburgh where in 1978 I got a B Ed Degree  in Modern Languages having spent a year at the university of Salamanca in Spain. In 1989 I went back to the University of Edinburgh and in 1994 got a Masters Degree in Education, graduating at the same time as I was President of Tranent Rotary club, not  actions I would recommend for anyone else!

I am married to Olive who is a graduate of St Andrews in Mediaeval History and is now an archivist with The National Library of Scotland. She is the author of two books - A Swing Through Time and The Laird's Kitchen - histories of golf and food respectively in Scotland, these two subjects being very close to my heart! She is a past President of Tranent Inner Wheel and I hope a future Rotarian! We have 2 kids - David 19 who is at college in Glasgow doing Media and Ailsa who is at (my) school in Edinburgh doing Highers.

In Rotary - I joined Tranent in 1991 was President in 1994-95, secretary in 1996-97 and served on District 1020 as Vocational Chair from 1995-98 and then 3 years as Assistant Governor, then one as DGE. I started in 1997-98 the DIstrict Young Muscian Competition which has gone from strength  to strength since!

My hopes are that Rotary can increase its membership; that we in RIBI can see the RF as a really good thing so that we start really contributing to it as our number one cause and that we in RIBI start to consider Paul Harris Fellowships not as an honour but as a contribution to the good that the RF does locally, internationally, educationally and for the peace process throughout the  world; that clubs can get younger members; that we can continue our good work for at least 100 more years!

     
1030 - David Conway and Audrey
As a teacher I have always valued the three "R" s, but as a Rotarian born in Carlisle with a preference for the oval ball my three "R"s have been railways, rugby and Rotary.  As a rugby player I hooked, as a referee I booked and as a Rotarian I shook  - tins of course.  High points in life have been Sca Fell, Snowdon , Ben Nevis and Mont Blanc plus the happiness of a marvellous wife, two lovely daughters, two fine sons-in-law and two delighful grandchildren. 

Rotary has been thirty two years of happy variety which have included leading a G.S.E. to team Argentina, two tenancies of the club presidential chair and three of the club secretarial seat.  The principal immediate challenges are to help to a successful conclusion one local enterprise (the St.Oswald's Hospice Jig-Saw Appeal) and one world enterprise, namely the eradication of polio.  I live at the northernmost tip of my District some  twenty miles from my nearest club and one hundred and twenty from my furthest.  There  is never a dull moment and not many still ones!

     
1040 - Milton Frary and Elaine
Milton Frary born in Norwich but emigrated to Yorkshire. Having spent 30 years in banking and a somewhat transient existence decided to settle down in 1992. It is strange that my life took such a course when I was trained as a design engineer and a women by the name of Frary was the first women hung from the parapets of Norwich Castle. Joined Rotary and took early retirement in 1995. Decided to utilise one of many interests and converted a 200 year old stone barn into my home and put all other energy into Rotary after playing with the four grandchildren, travelling, Parish Clerk to two councils, designing teapots and ties plus many other matters to keep me out of mischief. Being a past GSE Team Leader probably accounts for my constant efforts to raise monies for TRF, Polio Plus, etc. as it would be impossible to ever repay Rotary for this life changing experience. Over the next three years I have set myself a goal of raising or assisting others to raise a sum in excess of £1million. This is in addition to giving full support to all other programmes of Rotary.  

I have always had a problem of saying the wrong thing at possibly the correct time. An example of this is when passing the enquiry desk in one of my Bank Branches I spotted a customer waiting and getting a bit edgy. Realising my staff were very busy I went to the desk and the customer shouted out "Do you deal with queries?" My response equally as loud and instant "I will deal with anyone" All my staff with in hearing range rapidly fell under their desks in fits of laughter.  Fortunately the customer was not as quick or perhaps I had hit the nail on the head.

District website www.rotary1040.org
     
1050 - Chris Boyes and Pamela

Chris was born in Croydon at the height of the ‘baby boom’ which was increased even further by him being one of twins. Educated at Dulwich College, subsequently moving north to read Maths and Management Sciences at UMIST.

There he met Pam, a local, who was reading Maths, and who it must be said is ultimately responsible for him choosing to settle in the North West. Married now for over 30 years they have a son Matthew who studied Natural Sciences at Cambridge and works in the Computer Industry and a daughter Elizabeth who graduated in Law and Business Studies and is now a trainee solicitor in Manchester.

Following a very brief spell as a trainee actuary Chris was taught to sell when he joined British Olivetti at the height of the decimalization boom. An offer that could not be refused from a customer then persuaded him to join a firm of cotton waste and polyurethane scrap merchants where at first hand he learned the ways of SMEs. The firms went bust in 1980 whereupon a return to Insurance beckoned and 4 years at Manufacturers Life provided the technical training that signaled a move to the independent sector. After nearly twenty years in Sales, Management and Training positions with a national IFA Chris has recently established his own practice advising companies and individuals on investment, risk benefits and pensions. Pam’s career in teaching has spanned 27 years and she is currently a Deputy Headteacher at Sale Grammar School.

Chris joined The Rotary Club of Sale in 1983 chairing the International, Fellowship, and Rotaract Committees before becoming President in 1993/4. District office began in that year when he joined the Vocational Committee becoming Chairman for 3 years from 1995-8. A year as Assistant District Treasurer was followed by 3 years 1999-02 as Assistant Governor.  It was July 1999 that also saw a move to The Rotary Club of Altrincham. Chris is also the District Webmaster.  Pam is a twice past President of The Sale Inner Wheel Club and an Honorary member of The Rotary Club of Sale.

Chris’s other interests include golf, photography, Sale Rugby Club having been a Vice President since 1984 (by service to the squash section), Christian Aid, the local United Reformed Church and in various ways thespianship. Most interests have led to joining a Committee and eventually chairing it.

Aspirations for the year as DG include

  • Introduction of Pre PETS, District Team Training and Leadership Seminars.

  • Establishing a balanced District plan with SMART objectives based on genuine input, consultation and commitment from Clubs and District Officers.

  • A Conference themed on ‘Youth Matters’ which balances some serious Rotary thought with fantastic Fun and Fellowship.

  • To have the whole year’s programme planned, including dates, for presentation to District Assembly on May 10th

     
1060 - Tom Cryer and Barbara
 

Biographies to follow

     
1070 - Roger May and Linda

Roger's theme for the year will reflect RI and RIBI but with the added flavour of youth.

With his club, Roger has the reputation with his club of wrecking electronic equipment be it a video machine, slide projector or whatever. To go along with his classification of Nuclear Engineer he even put the mockers on a projector at a coal-fired power station!

Roger was born the day Paul Harris died. Thus on Monday morning at Anaheim we will reflect on 56 years since the great man passed away and Roger's birthday.

 

The District 1070 web site is www.rotary1070.org.uk

     
1080 - Malcolm Whittley and Susan
 

Malcolm Whittley was born in Kings Lynn, Norfolk before the war (just!!) - 2nd World War that is. Educated at King Edward VII Grammar school. Qualified as a Chartered Building Surveyor many moons ago. Worked in London before a short period as a partner with a Norwich firm of Architects before starting own practice in Swaffham, Norfolk in 1967. Lucky enough to marry Sue 27 years ago and inherited 2 super step-children to add to my four!! Now have 8 grandchildren and a beautiful Labrador called Polly. My hobbies are art and music.

 

Joined Swaffham Rotary Club, Norfolk, England 1977.

1979-80    Club Service Committee Chair.

1980-81    Swaffham Club President

1983-84    Community Service Community Chair,.

1987-88    Vocational Committee Chair.

1993-94    Club Service Committee Chairman

1994-95    Swaffham Club President.

1996-98    District 1080 Foundation chair.

1998-2001    District 1080 Assistant Govenor (Central).

2001-02    Assistant Govenor North.

2002-03    District Govenor Elect.

 

Hopes and priorities for 2003-04.

1.    Polio eradication and the Rotary Foundation.

2.    Youth Activities.

3.    PR

4.    Membership growth and retention.

 

In addition to encourage greater participation and commitment to Rotary service generally throughout the District.

     
1090 - Ian Black and Catherine
When asked to provide a bio Spike Milligan replied:- "Born, Was Goon, Died, Gone I know not where".

In the same vein, I would reply :" Born in Scotland many many years ago: read History and politics at University. Business career in Computers, firstly with international computer company then with his own business which he built up and sold to an American corporation in 1997.

Joined Rotary in 1987, club president in 1995, District officer from 1998- incoming DG in 2003. Interests travel, football, travel, bird-watching, travel, hill-walking,....and travel. Lived and worked abroad for over 10 years- periods in the Caribbean, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

Since selling my IT businesses in 1997, have started (and recently sold) IT recruitment and consultancy company specialising in bringing in Aussies and Kiwis to work on IT contracts in UK. Travelled extensively in Australasia, Asia and South Pacific in this time. Currently running an internet travel consultancy specialising in little known Caribbean islands and pursuits. I spend approx 3months per year in this region.

Lifelong interest in Africa, its wildlife and its birds - and its many humanitarian problems . Have visited sub-Saharan Africa many times.

Aims for DG's year--

- Raise the profile of Rotary clubs in the district.

- Work with the hospices to raise the "compassion ratio" in the clubs

- Encourage clubs to work with S. African clubs on joint projects on orphans.

2 subsidiary aims for the year- travel less (i.e. stay at home) - and sell more marmalade!

     
1100 - Michael Gelder and Margaret
Mike recently retired following 40 years service in Lloyds Bank ending his career as Change & Process Management Director for Lloyds TSB Bank. He combined his career with Rotary, being a Reader  in the Church of England and as a stage performer taking principal parts in G & S and musical comedies.

He has been known to walk through branches dressed as Dick Dead-eye; complete with warts, scars and eye patch; and as Bunthorne, the aesthetic poet from Patience. This has caused some consternation to customers in the branch - until his staff explained!

Rampaging through the sedate corridors of power in the Banks Head Office in Bristol dressed as Mr. Blobby and departing without anyone realising who had caused the mayhem was a memorable event.( They were told post the event! It was all for Children in need).

The funniest Banking memory is working as young & innocent 18 year-old at a quiet sub-branch on the South Coast. on a Wednesday afternoon in the 60's when a young lady came in to cash a cheque, he gave 20 £1 notes and she proceeded to undo her blouse, pulled back her bra to its full extent, placed tha noted next to her bosom, replaced her clothing - looked up and saw Mike's amazed expression and matter of factly said 'I haven't got a purse'. For some reason he can remember every detail of that transaction.

 
     
1110 - Alan Hollands and Valerie

Alan was born in Eastbourne in the early summer of 1942 into a time with air raids and passing “doodle bugs”.  He was educated at Eastbourne Grammar School and sport, particularly rugby and badminton, featured large in his life.  Teacher training was three years (1960/3) at Westminster College, newly moved to the outskirts of Oxford.  Most of his memories are of sport but there must have been some work because in 1963 he qualified as a Secondary teacher of Mathematics and Physical Education.  He met Valerie, his future wife, in 1961 while she was also training to be a teacher of Physical Education in Chichester.

Alan started teaching in Wandsworth whilst living at home in Eastbourne – commuting six days a week including football matches most Saturdays.  Whilst Valerie also lived at home, in West London, and taught on the Edgware Road.  Alan changed schools to teach in Bexhill and after they married in 1965 Valerie moved to teach in Eastbourne.  Following a year in Leeds, whilst obtaining a Diploma in Physical Education at Carnegie College, they moved to Oxfordshire both taking up appointments at The Burford School.   Their two sons, Ian and Neil were born while they lived at Shipton-under-Wychwood and during that time Alan gained a BA through the Open University, in Mathematics and Education.  Alan then became Deputy Head at The Highworth School near Swindon and they moved to Kelmscott, Nr Lechlade.  The final move in schools was to become Head of The Burgate School in Fordingbridge, Hampshire in 1981.  Whilst at the school Alan was invited to become a founder member of the Rotary Club of Fordingbridge.

 Changes in work pattern and developing roles in Rotary have gone side by side since that time.  Alan undertook a countywide role as Director of the Technical and Vocational Education Initiative in Hampshire at the end of which he took redundancy and started as a self-employed Educational Consultant.  He continues in this role.  He was President of his Rotary Club in 1991/2 and again in 1997/8.  He was Secretary of the District Foundation Committee 1995/6, Scholars Co-ordinator 1996/8 and District Foundation Chairman 1998/2000.  He was elected as Assistant Governor in 1999 and 2000 and as District Governor Nominee in 2001.  In 1996 he was leader of a GSE team to Peru which was wonderful if challenging experience.  In June 2000 Alan changed Rotary Clubs and moved down the road to Ringwood.

Alan sees his main role as being in support of the clubs in the District and seeking to ensure that they function as true Rotary Clubs.  There is in District 1110 also a need to increase awareness of the respective roles of Clubs, District, RIBI and RI and to involve more/new people in the leadership of the organisation.  Alan plans to continue with developments that have been followed in the last two years and to arrange the first District Leadership Seminar during autumn 2004.  The Rotary Foundation remains very important to him and will be promoted during his year as Governor.

     
1120 - Dennis Rose and Joyce
Biographies to follow
     
1130 - Robert Hunter and Audrey
  Biographies to follow
     
1140 - Peter Meldrum and Susan
  Life began for me at an early age when I was born in Whitchurch, Shropshire a month after VE day in June 1945. My Mother took me back to the family home in Wallasey a few weeks later, and here I was to grow up a few miles from the other end of the Mersey Tunnel to Liverpool. My Mother always dashed about with me in tow so I suppose it was inevitable that I ended up an athlete. At school, I was Cheshire Champion on the track at 1 and 3 miles and was also in the county cross-country teams. I missed earning a national vest in 1963 by two places due to competing with a very bad cold.

I went to Loughborough where I studied Industrial Chemistry on a four-year “sandwich” course. I was immediately able to join the elite athletes from the “jock” college - Robbie Brightwell, Adrian Metcalf and many others. Although I could only manage the second team, I nevertheless had a fun time. I soon realised that I must do some studying if I was to get a degree, and so did less and less training and managed to scrape through my exams. For my year in industry, I chose Unilever at Port Sunlight and it was here that I met Sue.

In 1967, I graduated and joined the Beecham Group as a Production Management trainee at Coleford in the Royal Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire. Sue came down with me and we were married in 1968. It was in the Forest that I first worked with physically handicapped children, their disabilities resulting from much long-term inter-breeding in the area. I spent some of my spare time with them and learnt to realise how lucky I was. This experience has stayed with me ever since. Sue & I rented a listed property that had a slight heating problem and in the severe winter of 1969 we had to break the ice in the toilet bowl - and that was inside the house!!!!

In 1971, I moved to Newcastle-upon-Tyne to manage the Lucozade Factory. the drink having been “invented” by a local chemist and Beecham had bought the rights. All three children were born at the Princess Mary teaching hospital, Lyndsay in ’72 and the twins, Guy & Kerry, in ‘74. I then moved to the London head office in a general management position until ’78 when I transferred to manage the Corona drinks factory in Tamworth. This was a high-speed unit producing over 250,000 bottles and 1.25 million cans of drinks every day. We lived in Ashby-de-la-Zouch where we enjoyed the “country” life and I was invited to join Round Table. Sue joined the local dramatic group playing many roles to packed houses including Shakespeare’s Titania outdoors in front of Ashby Castle.

In 1980, I was transferred back to Head Office responsible for one of the technical departments looking after overseas operations. I travelled for a third of the year and was able to see many exciting areas of the world and we moved to Farnborough. I became a School Governor and Chairman of the PTA at Fernhill Comprehensive School where I am still a Governor today. I transferred to Farnborough Round Table and it was here, at Donkey Derby, that my nickname of “Rutter” was created. At one particularly wet Donkey Derby, over the Sunday night, I was part of the security detail and chased hooligans across the field in my car only to find ruts everywhere the following day. You may have thought it was derived differently!!

In 1988, I was head-hunted into BP and joined the Consumer Products Division responsible for New Product development. Again, world travel was part of the job mainly to Europe and the Far East. I was also privileged to be invited to join the Rushmoor Rotary Club. After 4 years at BP, I was unfortunately part of the major downsizing and found myself looking for something new. With a couple of friends, I created a new company making disposable medical instruments for key-hole surgery. As the only British company fighting the multi-billion dollar American giants we had a major impact on pricing in the Health Service. However, the business came to an end in 1995 when our financial backer pulled his investments from both our company and several others and left us all “high and dry” - but this is another story!!

I then joined ES Consulting, where I remain today, as Managing Consultant working on business development projects for a wide range of clients. I made a unique visit in 1997 to NE Siberia and the Sakha-Yakutia Republic. Yakutsk is the most northern capital city in the world and I travelled in the region on a Know How Fund project. I was in fact, the first Briton to visit some of the townships in that vast permafrost region that is a treasure chest of minerals. I was attempting to progress practical and cost-effective solutions to the problem of the local people dying unnecessarily due to the immigrant Russians’ lack of any environmental concern during mineral extraction. Unfortunately, funding to complete the project has yet to be found but I still hope one day to be able help those friendly and gentle people who live in one of Nature’s harshest environments.

As one moves up the Rotary ladder, it does tend to take over one’s life but I am not in any way complaining. Our kids are currently unmarried and we have no grandchildren to chase round after, so Sue and I do have some other interests. These include philately, especially the collecting of non-postal, stamp-like items known as Cinderellas, and tracing our roots. Cycling, occasional running, and taking our German Shepherd for “walkies” occupies what little spare time that I otherwise have.

     
1150 - J. Howard Griffiths and Rosalind

Born and brought up in Fishguard, West Wales, Welsh was my first language for many years.  Sport played an important part during my youth and I represented my County both in Cricket and Soccer.

I joined Midland Bank in 1959 and my Banking career lasted 36 years until I took Early Voluntary Retirement in 1995.  Except for 5 years as an Inspector the remainder was spent in Branch Banking of which 22 years was in Management.  Being Welsh speaking all my postings were in Wales and our present house in Saundersfoot, which we moved into in 1989, was our 13th home in 23 years of married life.

I met my wife, Ros, when we both worked at Midland Bank, Castle Square, Swansea Branch – the largest Midland Bank Branch in Wales at that time.  We got married on the day England won the World Cup – 30th July 1966 and  Ros and our two children have given me tremendous support throughout my banking career.

It was whilst working in Prestatyn, North Wales (District 1180) that I joined Rotary in 1986.  The following year I was transferred back to my home county of Pembrokeshire and joined the Rotary Club of Saundersfoot, where I was President in 1994/95.  In 1996/97 I became District Treasurer and Treasurer of the Rotary Doctor Bank of Great Britain and Ireland.  The latter position has given me an insight into the Volunteer Programme of Rotary Foundation and I have taken a keen interest in the Foundation Programmes ever since.

My financial background has resulted in me being involved with many Charities and when  we have some leisure time I enjoy playing golf and walking the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path.  Both Ros and I enjoy gardening and classical music, and Ros is also involved in Sugarcarft and Cake Decorating.

During my year as Governor I wish to see all the Rotarians in District 1150 working together within the Rotary Family – Interact, Rotaract and Inner Wheel to help improve the lives of people within our local communities and worldwide.

Membership Growth and Retention must have high priority throughout the Rotary Family coupled with Growth in Foundation giving.

     
1160 - Frank Arnold and Vianne
Biographies to follow
     
1170 - Geoff Booth and Beryl

Geoff is a Yorkshireman and proud of it. The accent is still there, even after living in Devon for forty years.

After time spent at college, positions in agriculture and regular service in the Royal Air Force he joined Plymouth City Police, later to become the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary. After thirty years service, almost all in the CID, he retired to take up golf, Life Education Centres and to travel.

Married to Beryl, a retired Headteacher and OFSTED Inspector, with three grown up children.

Visiting clubs abroad widened his Rotary horizons and he has made every endeavour to encourage his Club to ‘look further than the four walls where they meet’ and to involve partners as well as family in Club activities. This formula for success is being taken forward to District level and will be promulgated throughout his year.

     
1180 - Ian McMinn and Patricia
Ian has been a Rotarian for the last fifteen years as a member of Garston Club in the leafy suburbs of Liverpool.    He has spent time on most committees at club level and was President in 1993/94.   He joined the District team in 1997 serving on the International committee before three years as an Assistant Governor.    During this time he oversaw a successful Penalty Shoot Out Competition covering the whole of District 1180 and which culminated with  finals at Anfield Road and Goodison Park, raising thousands of pounds for the children's hospices within the District.    Ian was recently awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship by his club.

Besides being a Management Accountant and Magistrate, Ian has spent most of his working life in his family business working with his wife Pat, manufacturing and retailing sports clothing and equipment.

Ian has been married to Pat for over forty years and they have one daughter Nicky who is married to Peter, at present serving as a helicopter pilot with the Royal Brunei Air Force.   They have two granddaughters, Stephanie and Abigail. Pat is active in her own service organisations and is a Past President of Garston Rotary Ladies Club and has been president of a number of chapters within Beta Sigma Phi.

My ambitions for District 1180 during 2003/04 include at least two new clubs and a net increase of over 100 members. A major new international initiative is envisaged subject to sufficient club support. A District Marmalade Officer will be appointed to assist in the development of Foundation giving Besides the above, it is hoped to support all R.I.B.I. projects and consolidate the many ongoing works at district and club level.

     
1190 - Robert Wright and Jill

Born in Blackpool, Lancashire in 1948 and educated at Baines Grammar School, Poulton-le-Fylde. Graduated from Sunderland School of Pharmacy in 1969 and qualified as a member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain in 1970.

Worked for a short time for Boots the Chemists in the North East before moving back to Blackpool in 1971 to take over a pharmacy in the suburbs of the town.

After sixteen years as a sole proprietor moved, in 1987, to join elder brother, Brian, also a registered pharmacist, as partners in a large health centre-style pharmacy in the town centre.

Sold business in 1998 and now performing infrequent locum duties.

Joined Rotary Club of Blackpool Marton in 1984. Secretary 1991-93; President 1993-94

District Membership & Development Officer 1995-96; Chairman District Club Service Committee 1996-98; Chairman District Rotary Foundation Committee 1998-2000. Member Communications Committee 1999-2000.

Married to Jill. Three step-children, one grandson, George.

Appointed a magistrate in 1993.

Hobbies include Rugby League (former Grade II referee), cricket (member of Lancashire County Cricket Club), caravanning (Member of International  Caravanning Fellowship of Rotarians) and doting on George!

Rotary ambitions:

  • to see The Rotary Foundation receive the support it deserves

  • to breath life into Rotaract in D1190

  • to lower the average age of Rotarians in the District

     
1200 - John Campkin and Tryphena

I spent 36 years working for one of the major UK banks mainly within District 1200 with occasional sojourns outside the District, including a spell in Pilgrim father and mother’s city.

Tryphena (Romans 16,12) and I have been married for almost 37 years and we have three children and five grandchildren.

I joined the Rotary Club of Wellington in January 1985 and have held most offices in the Club, serving as President in 1996/7. In 1995 I led a Group Study Exchange Team to District 3080 in Northern India and subsequently served on the District GSE Co-ordinating Committee before taking over as District Rotary Foundation Chairman.

The club formed a Housing Association in 1971 and now has 51 flats for the elderly in two blocks.  I have served as Secretary of the Association for 11 years, on a voluntary basis, and was responsible fore the day-to-day management until two years ago when we appointed a part time Administrator.

Outside of Rotary I have served as Chairman of the Taunton & Bridgwater local centre of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, treasurer of many local organisations, including the local Baptist Church for about ten years. I have had a long association with the local Young Farmers Club and have been a member of their Advisory Committee for over 30 years and served as President for a three year term.

For 2003-4 I plan to see the membership growth in District 1200 continue. To improve support for the Rotary Foundation and to have our first outgoing Youth Exchange student for many years. 

     
1210 - Keith Higgins and Glenys

Keith was born in Walsall in 1940. He has lived and worked in and around Walsall all his life. He attended a local High School. Shortly before his Eighteenth birthday he joined the Nursing staff of a large hospital for people who had a Learning Disability.   (Current terminology) He qualified as a ‘Registered Nurse in Mental Subnormality’ (RNMS) in 1962. He was promoted to a Charge Nurse on qualification. Following the introduction of ‘Care in the Community’ he applied for and was appointed as Mental Welfare Officer with Walsall Council in 1963.

On the formation of Social Service Departments in 1971 Keith become a Social Worker dealing with all client groups. In 1974 he returned to his specialism of Mental Handicap & Mental Health. He qualified as a Social Worker in 1983 at Wolverhampton Polytechnic College (now Wolverhampton University).

He worked for a few years as a Hospital Social Worker both in General & Psychiatric Hospitals. He then returned to his original field - Learning Disability & Mental Health both as a Social Worker and Social Work Manager.

After a career in Walsall Metropolitan Borough spanning 39 years he retired in July 2002 as the Manager of the ‘Integrated’ Learning Disabilities Team.

Keith joined the Rotary Club of Willenhall in 1985 with the classification of Social Work. He has served as President on two occasions 1988 – 1989 & again in 1998 – 1999.  He has also been Club Secretary.

Keith has served on the District Community Services Committee & the District Rotaract Committee.  He joined the District Executive in 1991 as District Interact Chairman and served two terms in this position. After two years as an Assistant Governor 1999 – 2001 he was elected as District Governor Nominee 2003 – 2004

His club awarded him a Paul Harris Fellowship in 1999 for his work at both club and District level.

Keith is married to Glen (properly Glenys) who has a daughter Angela and a grandson Nathan. Glen is an Honorary Member of the Rotary Club of Willenhall. 

Keith has a background in scouting having been in the movement as a Scout, Scout Leader, and a District Officer. For many years he was a Voluntary Youth Club Leader. In 1974 he was a founder member and for many years Chairman of ‘ The Children’s Friends’ an organisation for providing activities and holidays for the ‘under-privileged’ children in Walsall. He ‘retired’ from this organisation after 21 years

Keith gives his main interest as Rotary and is looking forward to his year as District Governor. Nathan, and his newly acquired Computer will occupy his ‘free’ time along with the garden. Glen and Keith enjoy travelling and holidays. He also collects a variety of objects, which range from china and bottles to ‘objects from the past’, which he is, loathe to throw away – Glen has a different view as she does the dusting. 

     
1220 - Neil Sharman
  Biographies to follow
     
1230 - Ian Campbell and Nettie

Born in Glasgow in 1940, Ian was educated at Eastbank Academy in Glasgow, where his outstanding athletic prowess came to the fore when he won the slow cycle race at an Annual Sports Day. Shunning the prospect of an illustrious sporting career, he entered the Accountancy Profession in 1958. Qualifying in 1963 as a Chartered Accountant, in 1966 he became a Partner of the Glasgow Firm to which he had been indentured and succeeded to that business in 1970.

Specialising in the Consumer Credit Industry, he was, for almost 20 years, Secretary and Treasurer of several Trade Associations engaged in that trade until he retired therefrom in 1984, although he is still involved with a Trade Charity related thereto.

He retired from General Practice in September 2002.

In his earlier days he was a keen Speedway Fan (and onetime participant in Cycle Speedway) but his pursuits nowadays are of a much gentler nature. A film enthusiast from a very young age until the 1960s, he still retains a great interest in cinema of that period. Family History, reading and music are his other interests.

A Member of Rotary since 1985 he has held all Offices within his Club, with the exception of Secretary, and has a particular interest in Foundation and International.

A firm believer that strong fellowship is one of the keys to successful Rotary he and wife Nettie are enthusiastic and regular attendees at District, RIBI and RI Conferences.

His main hopes for 2003-04 are to achieve further recruitment, to see greater retention, to encourage increased giving to Rotary Foundation and to see the continuation of the good works and programmes at present carried out in District 1230.  

     
1240 - Ray Burman and Victoria
Biographies to follow
     
1250 - Barry Hopkins and Lucy
I was born in Palmers Green London during the blitz and was taken by my mother as a baby to join Dad at RAF Solva in Pembrokeshire, S Wales. On learning my full names, Barry David William Hopkins, the local population quickly made this 'London baby' something of a mascot for the base as 3 out of 4 names were most certainly of a Welsh origin!

I was educated (believe it or not!) at Worthing Grammar School and on leaving with a modest selection of GSE's went on to a management training course with Marks & Spencer where i eventually 'qualified' as a Departmental Manager for 5 years then joined the Marley Building Group as an Area manager for 6 years - my service with Marley was extremely 'varied' on one hand with 2 of my stores in Belfast being bombed (I was the only single Area Manager so they gave me Northern Ireland as gatwick Airport was in my area!) and my being in the team responsible for opening the 1st major DIY store in the UK in Exeter.

Then the best thing in my life happened to me - I met Lucy, my wife, and we ended up as partners of our own Outside catering business, for the past 30 years, specialising in Weddings, Dinner Dances and Business functions. Somehow, we have had time to produce 2 sons, Matthew and Mark (didn't have time for Luke and John!) who are both living in the London area - one doing a Computer Sciences degree and the other working in graphic Design.

Our interests are Golden retrievers (we have 2), gardening, DIY, travelling, Skiing (Lucy), Brighton and Hove Albion and ROTARY - not necessarily in that order!

My main aspirations for 2003/4 is to raise a lot of money (£30K) for helping to equip our new local Children's Hospice and to try and ensure that District 1250 has a very happy, productive and successful year.

     
1260 - John Hopkins and Beryl
Biographies to follow
     
1270 - Les Connell and Susan
An escaped Lancastrian now living in the bogs of Lincolnshire.

Although our home is in Cleethorpes, I am a member of the Rotary Club of Brigg, which is 25 miles distant. At least 12 Rotary Clubs are nearer my home, which says a lot for my popularity.

I abhor political correctness and imposed targets and I prefer people to take me as I am and not as portrayed in the written word.

Today is what matters, not what has gone before and the future will allow Sue and I to build upon the present to make a better future for as many people as is possible.

I still open doors for ladies but I do have a problem offering up my seat because by the time I am on my feet, the lady in question has reached her destination.

A man of the cloth proclaimed Sue and I "Man & Wife", and I do not believe anyone has the authority to convert Sue and I into partners!

I am a servant of the clubs and will do all in my power to make 1270 the best District in RIBI and to make my club, who suffer me as no other club would, the best in District 1270.

If a biopic is an incurable disease, I am unsure if I want a part in it!

     
1280 - Mike Cavendish and Tina
I am a recently retired Orthopaedic Surgeon. Although I was born and went to Medical School in London, I have practised in & around Liverpool since 1968. I now do medico-legal reporting for lawyers & insurance companies.

I remember well my first ward round as a consultant in January 1973. I was taken to see a young man whose hand was heavily bandaged & hanging up in a roller towel. The registrar told me he had had an industrial accident the previous day and that he had had extensive surgical repair the previous evening. The patient asked me (you'll have to imagine the scouse accent) how his hand would be. I told him it should be as good as new. He then asked, " Will I be able ter play de pianner?" I said I didn't see why not, whereupon he replied, " Great! I couldn't before!!".

I joined Rotary with the intention of doing international service. As it happens this is about all I haven't done. I was District Community Service Chairman and have spent most of my time on this. I ran NW Sports for the Disabled for 3 years. I was also District Drug Awareness Officer and am a trustee of the NW Life Education Trust.

My plans for the year are to continue the campaign for new members and to try to rejuvenate some of our clubs. We hope to form at least one new club during the year. I also want to increase awareness of Rotary Foundation and of the meaning of Vocational Service, both of which are poorly understood by many Rotarians.

     
1290 - John Rogers and Shelagh
Biographies to follow