Two important club meetings took place during May being our AGM and club assembly. Assistant District Governor (South) Joan Clarke represented District at the latter. Joan is relinquishing her District responsibilities at the end of this Rotary year owing to a major domestic change involving moving house and home to France. Joan has done much to raise the profile of District with the 15 clubs under her charge and I am thankful for her enthusiasm and support during my time as President. We wish her well for the future.

In his recent newsletter District Governor Tony expressed dismay and disappointment that many clubs still view the District with some scepticism. Some even declining to receive his monthly newsletter! – hardly in the spirit of Rotary. In short he emphasises the District Officers are essentially club members first, who have volunteered their services to assist the running of the District. Certainly our Club plays its part in District matters, and while it is accepted that the majority of members cannot for a variety of reasons always take an active part we do keep aware of both District and the wider Rotary issues.

On this theme I was pleased to have represented the Club on the occasion of the RIBI Presidents recent visit to the District. Tony de St Dalmas and District Governor Tony Nash, together with their respective wives, visited the lunch time meeting of The Rotary Club of Ipswich Orwell. Tony de St Dalmas delivered a concise but very inspiring talk during which he highlighted that on Stroke Awareness day clubs throughout RIBI carried out over 129,000 blood pressure checks ( 4700 within District 1080).

Finally with a tinge of sadness I write this my last Presidents message. While there are still a few weeks left of this Rotary year I must record at this juncture how much I have enjoyed being your President.

I have consistently felt much warmth and fellowship from within the club which has made the task even better. Sally has always given me 100% support and this has also contributed to what I hope you all consider to have been a very successful year for our club.

Time moves on and I wish John and Anne, and John’s team, my very best wishes for his year as President, and particularly for an enjoyable one.

Owen.

WHY EXERCISE?

It is well documented that for every minute you exercise you add a minute to your life. This enables you, at the age of 85 years, to spend an additional 5 months in a nursing home at Ł2000 per month! My grandfather started walking five miles a day when he was 60. Now he’s 97 years old and doesn’t know where he is!The only reason that I’d take up exercise would be so that I could hear heavy breathing again.I joined a health club last year and spent a lot of money on the right clothes. Haven’t lost a pound. Apparently you have to show up.

I have to exercise early in the morning before my brain figures out what I’m doing.I like long walks…. especially when they’re taken by people who are annoying me.I have flabby thighs but fortunately my stomach covers them.

The advantage of exercising every day is that you die healthier.If you’re going to try cross-country skiing, start with a small country.

Contributed by John Connah.