New Rotary president pledges to build on successful year
Borderland Rotary Club hand over presidency in record temperatures.
It was a hot but delightful evening, with a lavish barbecue at the Sweeney Hotel, as the new president of Borderland Rotary Club, Brian Ashton, took over the reins for the next Rotary year from outgoing president Steve Jerman.
Steve, an IT developer, only joined the club a few years ago after spending the last quarter of a century on the other side of the pond, in Boise, Idaho, inventing innovative ways to use technology.
He said: “Although I was somewhat nervous about becoming president, I was very flattered to be asked and have found it much less daunting than I expected, as I’ve received so much support from all the members.
“We’ve had a great year, with the Christmas Parade returning and the revamped Borderland Mountain Bike Challenge raising lots of money for the Air Ambulance and other local charities.
“I’m also thrilled that my last duty as president is to present not one, but three, Paul Harris Awards – the highest Rotary award, earned for work above and beyond the norm.
“One is to club member Andy Boroughs for his international endeavours to help the civilians of Ukraine live under extremely perilous conditions, and one each to Mila and Alex, who run Shropshire Supports Ukraine. The group collects and supplies donated equipment to Ukraine, with a truck travelling there once a month. Borderland has donated, among other things, six petrol generators.
“What a great end to a presidency!”
The new president, Brian Ashton, thanked the club for appointing him for a second time, having previously served in 2020 – and we all know what happened then: Covid.
Brian said: “I certainly learnt how to use Zoom during Covid, but the club was unable to do very much at all, so I was honoured to be asked again and I intend to do lots more during this term.
“We have a good and stable membership, great events and activities to be proud of, so I look forward to making a difference in the local community with the help of everyone associated with Borderland Rotary.”