Just before Rtn Peter James was due to collect Gail and myself from home to take us to the Charter celebrations of the Rotary Club of Hope Valley, I received a call from IPDG Gordon telling me that owing to a serious road traffic accident at Darley Dale, the main A6 road was closed.
A quick check of the road atlas suggested a diversionary route through Via Gellia, which we duly took. It was a very pleasant, if somewhat cold evening and ideal for a drive through the Derbyshire countryside. We arrived at Hassop Hall, north of Bakewell at just 7pm.
We were warmly greeted by President Allen Hutchinson and his wife Christine. With aperitifs and canapes served on arrival, we certainly felt welcome.
With 98 persons present for the evening, the main hall was full but not crowded in this magnificent building. The food was excellent and this was followed by musical entertainment by two students from Hope Valley College. Hazel aged 15 years and Giacomo aged 14 years performed a total of eight songs, in a wide variety of styles. The quality of their voices was outstanding and they received very richly deserved applause at the end of their performance.
Following the entertainment was the more formal side of the event. President Allen outlined some of the things that Hope Valley are involved in and talked about the pleasure of being a Club President and how busy it was. He presented flowers to Gail and to his wife at the end of the evening, before wishing everyone a safe journey home.
Many thanks to Allen & Christine and the Hope Valley team for such a wonderful evening. Thanks also to Peter James for acting as our chauffeur for the evening.
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