Rotary Club appeal for new members

SHEPSHED Rotary Club’s newlyappointed president is appealing for new members as the group has seen a large drop in numbers over the years.

Jenny Warner has been announced as the 2017/18 president of the club and recently received the official Chain of Office from her predecessor, Ngaire Hall.

Ngaire told the Echo being president “was a lot of fun” and the club had an enjoyable year celebrating its 70th birthday.

But, new president Jenny Warner said there was concern at the decreasing membership level.

Jenny, who has been president of the club before and was the first female to join the group in 2001, told the Echo: “We have around 12 members now, five years ago we probably had 25.

“We’ve had a big loss in members, a lot through illness. It’s made us quite a small group but we’ve got to keep going.

“We are very lucky with the members we have as they all step up.”

She continued: “Years ago the club was only for business men, and I think there’s still that stigma.

“But that’s not the case. To be honest I don’t care what you do for a living it’s all about if you’re mindful and want to help the community.

“And if you do, come and have a chat.

“It’s not all time-consuming, members just give whatever free time they can spare, they’re not forced to do so many hours.”

Jenny told the Echo, as well as looking to recruit new members during her presidency and fundraise for community projects, she hopes to raise money for Admiral Nurses - specialist dementia nurses.

She said: “Each year the president choses a charity and I decided to pick this one as many have had firsthand experience of the effects of dementia.”

The club meets twice a month at Charnwood Golf Club. For more on becoming a member, or to attend a meeting, contact Jenny Warner on 01509 502966 or Robert Hall on 01509 842643.