Inner Wheel Club

THE 57th charter dinner of the Inner Wheel Club of Ely was held in the Long Gallery of Sue Ryder Care on Friday of last week. With member Enid Bedford acting as toastmaster, president Jenny Axford welcomed members and their special guests. Ava Paice and Judi James from Macmillan; Rotarian Keith Butterworth, the president of the Rotary Club of Ely, accompanied by his wife Jackie, and Tina Gardner, representing her husband Gary who is the president of the Rotary Club of Ely Hereward. Following grace, which was spoken by member Jill Sallis, past president and inner wheel district chairman, and an excellent dinner, Mrs James, head of fund-raising for Macmillan nurses, spoke of the charity's origins of work. Gillian Brady thanked Mrs James for her inspiring talk.

In the following lighting ceremony, candles representing the past, present, future and overseas members were lit by member Patricia Sneesby, president Jenny Axford, and members Ethel Smith and Jackie Wade respectively. Following the president's toast to the guests, Mrs Gardner brought greetings from Ely Hereward Rotary Club and Rotarian Keith Butterworth toasted Inner Wheel emphasising the true friendship existing between the clubs. President Jenny responded on behalf of Inner Wheel. The draw held during the evening raised a generous sum for her charities, Sue Ryder Care and Macmillan nurses. In her closing remarks she thanked Mike Axford and Sue Ryder Care for all their help and work which contributed to the evening's proceedings.