Press Release - 3rd July 2025 - Llandudno Rotary Club first stop for new District Governor

Llandudno Rotary Club first stop for new District Governor

Just two days after his installation, newly appointed Rotary District Governor James Thomas chose Llandudno Rotary Club as the first stop on his tour of District 1180.

And he got a warm reception last night, opening the proceedings with a poem he’d written about the club and some of its achievements in the past 12 months. (See Notes to Editors for the text.) And that creative gift may of course be a legacy of his Welsh heritage as James grew up in Penmaenmawr on the North Wales Coast.

Rotary International’s Theme for the Rotary year ahead — "Unite for Good" — emphasises the power of collective action in achieving positive change. James praised recent local initiatives including a mental health project at Aberconwy School, supported by Llandudno Rotary, helping students better manage the pressures of modern school life.

“My role as Governor isn’t to dictate,” James said, “but to support clubs in realising their own goals.”

“Everyone has a passion. Rotary can give people a hook to act on that, even if they don’t want to organise everything themselves, it becomes a team project. Projects drive participation. People want to volunteer — we just need to give them the right opportunities.”

 “It’s about giving people purpose,” he added. “Joining Rotary pulled me out of a dark hole. We can do the same for others.”

He also pledged to help clubs keep membership costs manageable, enabling them to grow and remain accessible.

Also, at the meeting retiring President Tristan Owen handed over his chain of office to Sarah.

He congratulated her for taking on the role as President. “You have a great team behind you” he said. “Everyone in the club has been very supportive of me as President and I’m sure they’ll be equally supportive of you.”

Notes to Editors

Rotary International District 1180 encompasses Mid and North Wales, Merseyside, and the Wirral, as well as parts of Cheshire, Lancashire, and Shropshire in England. James Thomas has been a member of Rotary for eight years.

Jame’s Poem

In Llandudno’s light where the sea meets the sky,
Where the Orme stands tall and the gulls wheel high,
There’s a circle of hands, not drawn by kin,
But by the hunger for service, that burns deep within.

Through treasure hunts by the old town pier,
Laughter and purpose draw neighbours near.
On quiet Tuesdays and charter nights grand,
Hope is stirred by a helping hand.

From grants to the groups that hold us up tall,
and lots of magic in cricket club halls,
Each act may seem small—but together you will grow,
Like wildflowers rising where sea breezes blow.

An awesome legacy, ninety-eight years strong,
Still lifting up Llandudno where your hearts belong.
With each grant shared and each hope restored,
The Community Chest tells a tale of kindness outpoured.

As Deganwy’s tide meets Llandudno’s grace,
So too does your kindness brighten this place.
With service and friendship as strong as it should,
Let's come together to unite for good.

The Rotary Club of Llandudno forms part of Rotary International - a global network of service volunteers. It is the world’s largest service organisation, was founded in 1905 and welcomes as members all who seek to advance humanity. There are some 1.4 million members in 46,000 Clubs in over 200 countries and territories world-wide. The Llandudno Club was founded in 1927. The Club also has a “Friends of Rotary” group comprising 48 local people and being a “Friend” is  open to anyone interested in keeping in touch but without commitment or cost. Details here https://tinyurl.com/FriendsOfRotaryWebpage

There are 45,000 Rotarians in Great Britain and Ireland in nearly 2,000 clubs, helping those in need  and working towards world understanding and peace. It is a fulfilling role, and Rotarians can get involved as much or as little as their time will allow. Members of Rotary volunteer their time to make a difference both in their local communities and around the world

For more up-to-the-minute details of Rotary Club of Llandudno why not visit our website at   www.llandudnorotary.org    We are also on:

Twitter/X  account :- Google “Llandudno Rotary Twitter”

Facebook account :- Google “Llandudno Rotary Facebook”

JPG file(s)  of the pictures are attached to the e-mail accompanying this Press Release.

The first one is of James Thomas, Rotary District Governor for District 1180.

The Second is of Tristan Owen, Former President of Llandudno Rotary Club passing over his chain of office to his successor Sarah Lesiter-Burgess