Coun Rush takes on Rotary president role

THE Rotary Club of Heywood has handed over the role of president to Councillor Peter Rush in a virtual club meeting.

The appointment marks the second time Coun Rush has been elected to the position in his 34 years of service to the club.

Coun Rush has been a councillor for North Heywood ward for more than 16 years and is the current chair of Heywood Township Committee.

He was the chairman of Rochdale Hornets between 2017 and 2019 and his association with the local rugby team covers over six decades, starting with his days as a player.

Celebrating through an online Zoom meeting on Wednesday June 24 with Rotary members and the past president, Rotarian Richard Slater, Coun Rush received the presidential chains from his wife, Monica, in a small ceremony at home.

He said: “The last time I was president was 2005, which was very special to me as this was also the Rotary Centenary Year.

“I am so proud of the work that The Rotary Club of Heywood are doing in the town and how the club has also brought ladies into the front when traditionally Rotary is all male. It is so pleasing to see this unity has been introduced.

“Rotary are keeping the community at heart, as we always have, even throughout this horrible epidemic we are going through. I want to highlight that Rotary help is still always available to anyone that needs it.

“We will always support the people of Heywood.

“The club has been keeping together on Whatsapp, taking part in regular quizzes together. I am looking forward to a very, very good year.”

The meeting also saw Rotarian Phil Corns appointed as the new vice president and Rotarian Carol Cadwallader named 2nd vice president. Carol is the first female member of The Rotary Club of Heywood to be appointed as 2nd vice president, following the introduction of the first female members to the club in the last rotary year.

President Rush’s three chosen charities are all Heywood based; Little Monkeys, Recovery Republic and Angela Bird Charity.