Anstruther Rotary Club’s meeting of June 28th saw the final evening of the 2009-10 ‘Rotary year’, and was marked by an address from Bill Henderson, the club’s outgoing president.

In his review of the past twelve months Bill expressed his gratitude to the club’s council and members who had supported him so well and worked so hard in the Rotary cause. It had been an honour to fill the club’s highest office. He noted the club’s superb programme of entertainment, much of which had involved lady members from the local Inner Wheel.  This had included special events on St Andrews night, on Burns Night, and at Christmas, along with the annual dinner. There was also the enjoyable Jazz Night and the very successful Casino Night.

Turning to the club’s charitable activities, these had been particularly successful. President Bill hoped that the new coastal walk would become a regular fixture, alongside the annual Christmas post and the club’s participation in the Crail Fayre and the St Monans Sea Queen. All told the club had raised at least £17,000 this year for local, national and international good causes, including £5,400 in response to the Haiti earthquake.

Bill expressed his sincerest thanks to the local community in the East Neuk for supporting the fund-raising events so generously. The club was in robust health and looked forward confidently to its diamond jubilee in 2011.

The meeting concluded with chains of office being handed to incoming president John Wood and incoming vice-president Derek Mathie. As his first duty John congratulated Bill on an excellent past year and thanked him warmly on behalf of the club.