First Charter of the year - What a cracker

As is traditional in District 1220, The Rotary Club of Alfreton was the first to celebrate the granting of its Charter - the 74th.    Held at the Riddings Community Hall and with a traditional roast pork dinner this fomal event was attended by over 70 Rotarians and guests including seven past District Governors.

After an excellent meal, the toast to Rotary International was given by Past District Governor George Curley of the Alfreton Club.   I responded to this toast, commenting upon the need to attract and retain new members if Rotary is to survive in these islands.  After the toast to the The Rotary Club of Alfreton, given by President Neil Greatorex of the Rotary Club of Clay Cross to which President Colin Fox eloquently responded we were royally entertained - and entertained is certainly the right word - by Sheila Dibnah, widow of the late and much loved Fred Dibnah.

Sheila recounted her life with Fred, his romantic and not so romantic side, his zest for life and his overall "likeability".  One story that had everyone rolling in the aisles concerned her bouquet when she married Fred.  Not a posy of flowers or anything resembling tradition - No for Fred and Sheila the bride's bopuquet was a two foot long double ended spanner, sprayed gold and with a decorative circle of artificial flowers to set it off.   The table decorations similarly were spanners with nuts and bolts for place names. 

The honeymoon, when it eventually arrived was a trip on a steam engine, to, of all places, Wigan Pier.    Life with Fred was clearly never dull!!

My thanks to Rotarian David Soul from the Rotary Club of Belper and Duffield for transporting me to and from the event and to President Graham Wright for acting as my unofficial photographer for the night.

Sheila showing us her "wedding bouquet" still adorned with plastic flowers.

President Clin clearly thinking about what the DG was saying.