Outgoing Banbury Rotary Club president shares poem and impact of COVID-19 in valedictory speech

The first woman to serve as president of the Banbury Rotary Club has stepped from office after completing her term of office.
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Banbury Rotary Club President Surinder Dhesi stepped down at the club's last meeting after she was elected last year as the first female president. Surinder Dhesi also serves as the deputy mayor for the town of Banbury.

Rotarian David Richardson will take over as the club's new president on Friday July 3.

She summarised her time as president with the following words, which includes the impact of COVID-19 on the charity:

Pictured president of Ladies Inner Wheel Carol Adkinsand outgoing Banbury Rotary Club President Surinder DhesiPictured president of Ladies Inner Wheel Carol Adkinsand outgoing Banbury Rotary Club President Surinder Dhesi
Pictured president of Ladies Inner Wheel Carol Adkinsand outgoing Banbury Rotary Club President Surinder Dhesi

"It is amazing how quickly the year has flown by. I feel very humble and honoured for you giving me the the opportunity to serve as your President.

"The theme of Rotary International President Mark Daniel Maloney was “Rotary Connects The World," which was a great theme how we connect to the world and make a difference globally.

"In my year I wanted to build stronger relationships with other service groups in Banbury, the Lions Club, Ladies Inner Wheel, Tangent and Cherwell Rotary Club, and to carry on the good work of former President Paul Gardiner in recruiting new members. This Club is renowned in District 1090 as being a trail blazer in organising fantastic events, Rotarian Alan Wollestencroft with his Sierra Leone Project and Rotarian Andrew Fairbairn with Gambia and the water aid projects.

"Last year Banbury Rotary Club organised Children Singing for Children,Young Musician, Six of the best choirs in Banbury Concert, Young Chef, Crocus Concerts, Organ Christmas Collections and local super markets. RYLA organising weekend activities for less able students and giving them the opportunity to enjoy activities we all take for granted and helping to steward at town council events, Tour de Trigs, Santa Float collections and helping at Cherwell Rotary Club’s Sportive Event at Broughton Castle.

"Rotarian Sakine Faulkner had an event at St.Mary’s Church where her daughter proformed to raise funds for the charity Kenyan Kids. I attended the the Ladies Inner Wheel 1940’s tea dance along with fellow Rotarians.

"We have had some amazing speakers Julie Hellon gave a talk about Kenyan Kids, Frazier Liversage gave a talk about Medical Detection Dogs, District Governor Frank Quinn gave a talk about Rotary International, Bob Langton gave a talk about Tooley’s Boatyard and Banbury Museum Development Plans, Charles Atkinson gave a talk about The Racing Tribe, Jane Rogers gave a talk about Extinction Rebellion, Cymon Snow gave a talk about TEDX, Neil Urqurhart gave a talk about My Kayaking Journey, Christine McElhill gave a talk about Friends Against Scam, Bee Myson gave a talk about Age Friendly Banbury, Dr.John Ong gave a talk about The Cluster Care Group, Chris Brockbank gave a talk about Bomber Command.

"On Friday 16th August 2019 we had the honour to receive our guest of honour former President of Banbury Rotary Club Reg Charles, who had earlier in the day unveiled a plaque on the remaining Crowley Barracks in Oxford where he trained back in 1940’s on joining the Army. At nearly 97 years of age he is one of the oldest veterans still living.

"COVID-19 has had a huge impact on our fundraising abilities and we have not raised as much money as we were going to because events like the Barn Dance, Children Singing for Children and International Evening Dinner were cancelled.

"Because of social distancing it is going to have a greater impact on how we organise events in the future and how we have future lunch time meetings. We have to adapt to the new ways of holding meetings and having a cashless society.

"Our last meeting was 13th March, and due to COVID-19 we had to cancel all our planned fundraising events.

Finally I would like to dedicate this poem to all the rotarians.

The Gift of Time is Priceless

Valuable is the work you do,

Outstanding in how you always come through,

Loyal, sincere and full of cheer,

Untiring in your efforts through out the year,

Notable are the contributions you make,

Trustworthy in every project you take,

Eager to reach your every goal,

Effective in the way you fill your role,

Ready with a smile like a shining star,

Special and wonderful- that’s what you are.

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