York Rotary held its annual President’s Dinner at the Novotel on Friday 7th March. The dinner was attended by over ninety people including the York Civic party, representatives of four other Rotary clubs, together with members of York Rotary and their partners.
As always the food and welcome from the Novotel were excellent.
Following the dinner President Mike Hay had the privilege of making a Paul Harris award to Chris Shepherd who has been known to York Rotary for many years.
Some 40 or more years ago, Chris turned her eye for a good photograph into a serious hobby, which has been put to good use in supporting a very worthwhile local charity.
For many years it was Chris’s photographs of local York scenes, which set the high standard for York Against Cancer’s Christmas cards with their delightful snowy scenes appropriate to the season and which provided a serious annual contribution to the charity’s finances.
In 2004, when York Against Cancer was the principal beneficiary of the York Rotary’s second Dragon Boat Challenge, Chris started to capture a high-quality photographic record of the event, capturing the excitement, the sheer blaze of colour, and the endless variety of the Teams’ fancy dress outfits. The thousands of photographs have provided the Club with a wonderful pictorial record of the Dragon Boat events over the last 20 years.
Chris also put her expertise to good use a few years ago, when she collaborated with others to provide a wonderful glossy book portraying York past and present – showing old photographs of York scenes, with each one accompanied by an up-to-date photo of the same scene. Apart from being a superb record of York, it made a very handsome profit for York Against Cancer.
Anyone who has witnessed Chris in action, or heard her talk about her hobby, will have experienced the flair, skill and enthusiasm of her work, but also the time and effort she takes in getting just the right light and weather conditions for a good photograph.
Following a break Mike Hay proposed a toast to the City of York. In proposing his toast Mike talked about how he had moved from Edinburgh another great historic city and how he has enjoyed the welcome that he and Ros had in York and the pleasure of working with York Rotary.
The Lord Mayor Councillor Margaret Wells responded to Mike’s toast and spoke warmly about York, she also said that reflecting on Mikes comments she always loves to visit Edinburgh, but she is always happy to come back to York which as far less hilly than Edinburgh.
Following dinner David Powling concert pianist performed for us and his performance is probably best summarised by the comments made by President Elect Paul Roberts in proposing the vote of thanks “The President’s Dinner traditionally includes an after-dinner speaker: an entertaining performance, usually a combination of inspiration and wit at its best. This year, in keeping with President Mike’s theme for the year, this tradition was modified inasmuch as, instead of a speaker, we were addressed
by a musician. Not abandoned, only modified: David Powling, concert pianist and fellow Rotarian, entertained us with an inspiring and witty performance. David’s choice of exerpts and, more importantly, his execution of them, brought, by turns, smiles and warm nostalgic feelings, and then deeper, inspirational stirrings. And the combination of pieces (I almost dare say ‘bits and pieces’!), moving from Beethoven to Lloyd-Webber and back to Beethoven via Chopin, was often startlingly witty. A wonderful, new twist to a time-honoured tradition and a perfect way to round off the evening.”
We can end by saying that we had a great evening enjoyed by all.
David Fotheringham
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