The beginning of the new Rotary year in July saw Stone and District Rotary Club induct Victoria Fern as the new President for the coming year. Following a three-year stint as President, Sandie McQueen passed over the chain of office to Victoria at an event which included afternoon tea and fizz. The induction was attended by twenty guests including members, family and friends including Past Paul Harris Fellows, Helen Wetnall and Jon Cook.
Victoria is Finance Director for a major electrical services company based in Burton-on-Trent and lives in Stone with her partner and her daughter Zoe who is also a Club member.
At this special meeting for Rotary members, Sandie, as one of her last duties as President, was pleased to award Paul Harris Fellowships to Andy Babb and Chris Hurst. The Paul Harris Fellowship highest form of recognition a Rotary Club can bestow. It is presented to a Rotarian or a member of the community who has made an outstanding contribution to the community.
Andy Babb has worked throughout the last year and a half to help the Ukrainian families who have come to live in Stone. The Club sourced and donated lesson books for Andy’s many English language classes as well as clothing and school equipment which has allowed the new residents to better settle in, gain employment and for many extend their education. It’s a much-deserved award.
Chris Hurst is a long-standing Club member who has recently stepped down and has worked throughout the community helping others for many, many years and will continue to do so. As a member Chris will be greatly missed so the Club were pleased to make him both a Paul Harris Fellow and Honorary Member of the Club. In a surprise additional award, Victoria and the Club members were delighted to make Past President Sandie McQueen a Paul Harris Fellow too in recognition of the amazing work that she has done over the last three years in the Club and as an active committee member of Stone Festival and Lead Volunteer at the Stone Alzheimer’s and Dementia Drop-in Club.
