Major honour for Past President Gary

Past President Gary Gardner had a shock at the club’s Joint Charter Dinner with the Rotary Club of Keighley at Keighley Golf Club on Friday, June 14th.

One of Rotary’s great planners Gary (pictured above left) was taken totally surprise when the Bradford area Assistant District Governor Caroline Murie (right) presented him with a well-earned Paul Harris Fellowship (PHF).

In Great Britain and Ireland a PHF is generally given for outstanding service not only to the Club and Rotary but to the wider community and Caroline said: “Gary has been outstanding on all those fronts. He is a meticulous planner and great worker for Rotary.

“He established the Ely Hereward Club in Cambridgeshire and was a pioneering member of an internet-based group of Rotarians before moving up to join his family in West Yorkshire where he has continued his devoted service to Haworth & Worth Valley and Rotary.”

Gary responded by saying: “I’m lost for words, I certainly didn’t expect this to happen. I’m happy to be one of the club’s back room boys and grateful to be honoured in this way.”

The Rotary Club of Haworth & Worth Valley were celebrating the 25th anniversary at the dinner while the Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Keighley were celebrating their 90th birthday.

The keynote speech at the evening was delivered by Professor Fiona McCauley from the Peace Studies Department at the University of Bradford.

Rotarians from Bingley, Bradford and Skipton joined Rotary District 1040 Governor David Phillips together with the two clubs’ members at the Golf Club to enjoy a meal and excellent fellowship.