Mike receives Rotary’s top award during Ely club’s annual president night

Ely Rotary Club held their annual president’s ‘special night’ with over 60 invited guests attending.

Amongst the 66 people invited by club president John Dennick were the presidents of Soham Staploe, Downham Market, Littleport and Ely Hereward, together withe the Ladies Inner Wheel Club president and past district governor John Samuel.

Mr Samuel gave a speech outlining the work of Rotary particularly the Ely club.

The guests enjoyed a dinner provided by their ‘in-house’ caterer Margaret Toft, who has served the club for nearly 40 years.

She drives from Fosdike (110 miles round trip) almost every Wednesday for the weekly Club meeting, and for special occasions. That’s over 5000 miles a year.

Entertainment was provided by Harriet Maddox, singing many popular songs from the 1940s to the present day, accompanying herself on her piano.

During the evening member Mike Copping received the greatest honour the Rotary movement can confer on anyone for his outstanding service to the club since joining in 1999.

He received a Paul Harris award, for all his help and assistance over the years.

The raffle, run by Viv Doji made £250, and the president’s charity raised £60 over the year, so the International Committee will make it up to £400, to be donated to the Children of Bellarus fund.