Presidential Handover

A memorable evening as the Rotary Club of Kilrymont St Andrews not only recognised the installation of a new President but also welcomed a new member.

Kyffin Roberts, well-known in the town as Chairman of the Friends of Craigtoun, was proposed and introduced by member Angus Peters. Angus told the assembled company something of Kyffin’s travels around the globe as a civil engineer – and of his part in the construction of both the Mersey and Channel Tunnels.

President Ewen Allan then formally inducted Kyffin, while President Elect John Spittal welcomed him and presented the club’s latest recruit with his Rotary emblem badge.

In response, Kyffin thanked all present and said it was his intention to make a worthwhile contribution to the charitable aims of the club.

Then followed the official handover of the reins of the club to President Elect, John Spittal.

In his closing remarks, outgoing President Ewen Allan said his year at the helm had been much busier than expected and that he had enjoyed it all. He was grateful for the support given by his council and all members. It was his hope to continue to be involved with the club’s many projects which helped and supported young people both in the locality and elsewhere.

He was proud to have been the club’s President and in handing over the chain of office to John Spittal was quite certain John would continue with his already great contribution to the club’s aims and objectives.

In an entertaining departure from the norm, John accepted his new post with a poetic expression of thanks. When members likened his performance to that of Rabbie Burns, John replied he felt sure it had been more like William McGonagall!

John went on to say he was honoured to be taking the Presidency of such a vibrant, successful and smoothly-running club.

In conclusion he presented outgoing President Ewen with an engraved quaich and the Past President’s badge.