ROTARY CLUB 75th ANNIVERSARY: The Falcon Hotel was the venue on Monday night, for Stratford Rotary Club to look back and celebrate its long history. The black tie event was enhanced by member's ladies in their finery, and the club was proud to have the Mayor and Mayoress of Stratford, coun and Mrs Vince Seaman as guests. Also present were the Rotary district governor, Mr Harry Morris, and the president of Stratford Inner Wheel, Mrs Doris Waters.

The district governor, in proposing the health of the club, emphasised how much he enjoyed visiting Stratford, as members were always so friendly and welcoming. He handed president Dudley Simpson a certificate and card, confirming that the club was formed on February 25, 1928.

Mrs Doris Waters replied on behalf of the guests, and commented on the close working relationship with Rotary.

The president welcomed several visitors, and also was delighted to induct two new members, David Stephenson and Tony Price. In his response on behalf of Stratford Rotary, he gave a brief resume of the extensive fund raising and charitable functions undertaking over recent years. In particular he praised the contributions made by Francis Prentice in setting up the initial Shakespeare Marathon, now in it's 22nd year and his involvement in getting the Shakespeare Hospice off the ground in 1990.

Mary McBain had been appointed as vice-chairman of the hospice, having previously been chairman of the League of Friends of Stratford Hospital, and she continues to devote substantial time and effort to the Hospice, including the League of Friends.

Brian Slaughter has also been a driving force behind the club's other main fundraising events at the Bull Dog Bash and the Annual Golf Day. He continues to pursue his many other interests, including raising money for Home Farm Trust.

Ian McFarlane has been a very regular attender at the club, and in common with Francis Prentice and Brian Slaughter, is a past president. Outside Rotary, he was County Director of St John Ambulance, president of Stratford Sea Cadets, and more recently he has been involved with Crimestoppers and the Drugs Awareness campaign. He was also a diligent consort to his wife Joan during her year as Mayor of Stratford.

Roy Hawkes has been instrumental in fostering the Young Enterprise Scheme, currently at over 1100 achievers a year. He has already been awarded their gold medal for his work. Roy Hawkes has set up several other schemes, and this year he has restructured the now very successful national trade show on Waterside, which involved over 110 companies within schools taking part in March.

At this point the president had great pleasure in announcing that Mary McBain, Francis Prentice, Ian McFarlane, Brian Slaughter, and Roy Hawkes had all been made Paul Harris Fellows, an award unique to Rotary International and only rarely granted to persons deserving special recognition.

The guest speaker, Mike Bullet, concluded the speeches with a very amusing and light hearted account of The Confessions of a Loss Adjuster. He passed on advice given to him "never to play leapfrog with a unicorn", and his many anecdotes and stories caused much amusement.