New president Jim takes up the reins at Rotary club
THE Rotary Club of Church and Oswaldtwistle has welcomed its new president.
Jim Hargreaves has taken over the reins from Ian McTurk.
Jim has been a very active Rotarian in the relatively short time he has spent at the club, being chair of youth and the exacting position of secretary.
Jim, who was born in Oswaldtwistle, spent much of his working life in the health authority, rising to the position of manager of electronics and biomedical engineering for East Lancashire hospitals.
Upon retirement in 2007, he took up voluntary work in many fields such as Toc H, hospital helper, local hospital radio presenter, the talking newspaper for both Blackburn and Hyndburn and secretary for Oswaldtwistle Juniors and Oswaldtwistle United football clubs.
Outgoing president Ian McTurk will now take on his new role as assistant governor for the South East Lancashire area.
Jim paid tribute to his predecessor. He said: “Upon retirement Ian became a Rotarian, joining the Rotary club of Church and Oswaldtwistle where he became a very prominent member of the club showing great vision, drive and a real propensity for hard work.
“Without doubt his fine qualities very much shone through, and he was very successful in the different roles he took on in the club. He was a natural to take the position as president, which he held for two years, where he spearheaded many new projects, which led to several accolades.”