President Philip Naylor OBE JP

2025/26

I am very pleased to have the honour of being President of Clitheroe Rotary for the coming year.  For me, it seems like Rotary has been a part of my life since I was a young boy.  As a teenager I recall my father being a committed Rotarian and in time the President of his local Club.  At a similar time, my mother was a member and then President of Inner Wheel.  It seems I watched on as they gave years of service to their community and beyond, whilst enjoying the friendships they shared through both organisations.

For me, there followed 30 years of service in the Army, keeping me and later, my family, away from our roots in Lancashire.  I met my wife, Chrissy, who was born and bred in Downham, and we were married in St Leonard’s Church.  Downham became the anchor against our somewhat nomadic lifestyle and was the place were both our girls were Christened and later both married there.   After leaving the Army, Chrissy and I spent 4 years in Canada, with me working in Montreal, before returning to the UK to spend 2 years living and touring on our Narrowboat across the network of English and Welsh canals.

Eventually, it was time to settle down and we returned to the Ribble Valley, firstly living in Rimington, then Downham and now at Black Moss.   It is hard to return “home” after over 35 years of living away and trying to assimilate back in to the Community.   For me the obvious choice was to join Rotary, and I have now been in the Club since 2010 and enjoyed every minute.  I have made some good friends amongst the club members and their families, met some great people and shared in some worthwhile and rewarding activities, doing good both locally and further afield.

Once settled in the Ribble Valley, I spent over 10 years as the senior fundraiser for the Army Benevolent Fund in the North West.  I really enjoyed this work, meeting some amazing fundraisers and being humbled by meeting some of the charity’s beneficiaries.   The work was really satisfying, but also quite demanding on my time.  Now that I am retired, I find I have more time on my hands and so now is the right time to be President of Clitheroe Rotary.

I see that my challenge is to continue to help to deliver all the great things our Club does: Santa’s Sleigh, The Ribble Valley Ride, Clitheroe Bonfire, a charity Golf Day and so much more.  At the same time, we need to start to think more seriously about the shape of the Club of the future to make sure we remain a dynamic group delivering for our community in the years to come.  But, most importantly, to make sure everyone has fun on the way.

So, if you too want to support our community, help those internationally in need and, at the same time, to enjoy a strong fellowship with fellow Rotarians, why not get in touch – you will be made most welcome.

I Look forward to working with a great team in the coming year and am very happy to be supported by President Elect, Ian Tate and the rest of the members of Clitheroe Rotary.

Phil