Rotary club of Shrewsbury Severn

SHREWSBURY SEVERN ROTARY CLUB

OUTGOING ROTARY PRESIDENT PRAISED FOR ‘REMARKABLE TWO YEARS



A ‘remarkable two years’ was how an outgoing Rotary president’s two-year term of office was described at his handover ceremony.

Rotarian Gareth Watkins, secretary of Shrewsbury Severn Rotary Club, told members and guests that the two years of David Morris’s presidency had been ‘exceptional’.

“All the amount of graft and work you have done, I just don’t know how you keep all those balls in the air,” he told David. “It’s been fantastic.

“All of us here want to mark your handover with a big thank you - and I have a tangible thank you.”

Gareth, on behalf of members, presented David with a case of six red wines from Tanners to rapturous applause from members and several guests.

He commented that it had been an ‘exceptional’ presidency, full of graft, wit, humour, achievement and fellowship.

David also received his Rotary tankard and vice president’s medal from Rotarian Johnathan Callwood who becomes Shrewsbury Severn Rotary Club’s second president elected to serve a two-year term of office.

David, who said he was handing over to a ‘fantastic’ new president, spoke of how his late father was president of Shrewsbury Rotary Club decades ago.

“When you selected me,” he told Rotarians and guests, “it was a difficult evening and I feel that way tonight. The two years have flown by.”

He outlined a number of highlights of his two years in office, not least how the Santa sleigh replacement had been ‘frenetic’. “But we pulled together and got there in the end. It was very stressful, but it brought us altogether.”

Other highlights included the recent VE Day celebrations, Krazy Kart races in The Quarry, a trip on the Severn Valley Railway for friends and families, a canal trip at Ellesmere for elderly residents and Christmas party also for elderly residents which Rotarian John Yeomans organised with ‘military precision’.

A number of other Rotarians were also praised for their contributions as well as for their friendship.

In conclusion, new president Johnathan said: “One of the things I have learned is service above self. “It is about giving and helping other people and I am so proud to be given this honour.

“I really look forward to working with everyone and fulfilling our aims and objectives over the next couple of years. We are one lovely family.”

 

SHREWSBURY SEVERN ROTARY CLUB

 

HOSPITAL SKY GARDEN ON ROTARY CLUB PRESIDENT-ELECT’S MISSION

 

From creating a sky garden at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital to hiring out their enviable new Santa sleigh, a Shropshire Rotary Club’s president-elect has been outlining his mission for the next two years.

 

The sky garden project would be a legacy in memory of his father Godfrey, Rotarian Johnathan Callwood told members on the occasion of Shrewsbury Severn Rotary’s Club Assembly.

 

He said the legacy project would take the form of a critical care sensory garden and establish stronger links with the RSH, other Rotary clubs and was among more than 20 activity ideas in his presidential mission which he described as ‘ambitious’.

 

Further tasks which he is setting include garnering new corporate members and gaining new active members.

 

“With the club’s help and co-operation, I hope to encourage an increased membership, a better members’ experience and a greater range of social activities.”

 

He also described establishing a situations vacant, igloo media tent with an updated web presence and social media. In addition, creating a video and an entertainment post.

 

He told members that further improvements would be made to the club’s new sleigh which took to the streets and appeared at local supermarkets last December. The club would also be looking to hire out the sleigh.

 

His mission also included improving fundraising efforts, organising a summer fundraising event, a president’s ball – a Bridgerton themed large event in the autumn or spring of 2026 – and a twice-yearly charity appraisal.

Johnathan added: “I want to see this club flourish on my watch – we are doers.

 

“I would like to build on the incredible achievements of our current president David Morris these past two years and continue making this club vibrant and successful. I will maintain our great reputation in Shrewsbury and Shropshire.”

Below is from a recent meeting when we had guests from District Rotary 

 

 

On the weekend of 31st May/1st June there will be an event in Abbey Foregate,Shrewsbury, to celebrate 80 years since VE Day ! 
  There will be many attractions, food stalls and vintage vehicles . Along with a concert on Sat 31st. The road will be closed at the side of the Abbey, so it will be very pedestrian friendly.