To paraphrase Oscar Wilde, “...to lose one bank branch is unfortunate, but to lose two looks like carelessness”. Easy then, to understand John being mildly disconcerted that although his career with HSBC has seen him work in every bank branch along the North Wales coast from Caernarfon to Prestatyn, it seems that no less than 14 of those branches have since closed. Hmm!
Born, bred and still living at Rhos on Sea, John is to this day surrounded by a close family comprising his mother, an older sister and a younger brother. To this we must add one niece who is about to appear in Emmerdale, one who plays hockey for Wales and one who runs for Wales. It must be quite disturbing to be in the bosom of a family bristling with such talent, I suggested, but John’s insouciance rises well above this back-handed compliment of mine.
John is also quietly conscious of those within his family who are no longer with us. John’s first name is actually Michael, as he was named after his mother’s brother who was serving on HMS Kite when it was sunk by a U-boat in August 1944, killing 203 personnel. He was 20 years old. A proud but unbearably sad link with an era that is rapidly shading into a history that most of us now only experience vicariously.
For a man who has only ever known one home town and one employer for more than thirty years, John has often seized the opportunity for variety in his life is many other aspects. Whilst his predilection for prestidigitation (enjoyment of conjuring to you!) has not quite brought John the release from the “day-job” he perhaps craved for, it has nevertheless been a long-held hobby of John - and a staple of Rotary socials over the years.
The bit about “one employer” is not strictly true. John tells me that for three summers, whilst still in school, he had a job in Eirias Park operating the Chairoplanes and a train that went round in circles. The length of the rides were determined by an egg timer and cost 20p per child. John’s earnings of 50p per hour were but a small portion of the “take” – good training and background for a career working for a bank, I ventured.
Rotary has played a big part in John’s life and his Paul Harris Fellowship of some years ago reflects this. He had attended a Rotaract interest meeting back in 1985.and emerged as its inaugural president, later becoming the district chairman and treasurer of the national Rotaract conference. John was also a Group Ambassadorial Scholar and spent 6 weeks in Chile where he visited the first all female club in Chile - and possibly the world. Some of the clubs that John saw in Chile had their own clubhouses complete with kitchens and staff and of course a bar. “More akin to a golf club without the hassle of the golf!” says John - thereby illustrating a disdain for a pastime that some Rotarians see more akin to a religion, I couldn’t help thinking.
John still proudly holds the Rotary Guidebook he was presented with on being inducted into Rotary on 6th June 1995 – he tells me he plans to read it one day! John has been a loyal and industrious servant of the Club – probably the only member to have been President, Secretary and Treasurer of the Club – but not all at once, he added modestly.
As John now steps up to the plate as President for the third time, we all pledge our support in taking the Club forward
more Find out more about the Rotary effect
more The Rotary Club of Llandudno is drastically widening its much-needed support to the Hope Restored Food Bank by co-operating with the organiser Brenda Fogg, OBE to enable her and her team to provide shelter and nourishment to the community
more We are proud to present our plans for 2022 - we'll maybe add things, maybe have to drop some things but in essence here's what we want to do. We'd do even better if we had you helping us! Click/tap "Details" for more.
more Blood Bikes Wales is the eye-catching name for a group of dedicated volunteers who come together as a registered charity to transport blood and other urgently needed medical material from one NHS base in Wales to another
more We are proud to present our plans for 2022 - we'll also add things, maybe have to drop some things but in essence here's what we want to do We'd do even better if we had you helping us!
more On Tuesday 16th November a clutch of 12 hungry and adventurous Llandudno Rotarians and friends were on a 30 mile mission to visit the new Jamaican-style eatery “Up a Yard” in Holywell and were not disappointed!
more December is always a busy month for Llandudno Rotary – here’s some of what we're getting up to
more On Saturday, 18th September one of Llandudno Rotary’s longstanding Members, Dr. Ashok Harshey, completed a gruelling 22 mile walk from Bangor Pier to Llandudno Pier Click our "Donate" button on this page, to help - thanks
more In a world turned upside-down by COVID it is no surprise that Llandudno Rotary has had to change its ways, but despite this the has accomplished much. President Rosalind Hopewell explains....
more COVID has thwarted fundraising for much of the past year, but Llandudno Rotary has taken to the streets again and eight Rotarians, thinly disguised as Easter Bunnies stepped into action to relieve the good people of Llandudno of some of their cash
more We mourn the sudden loss of one of our newer members, Anne Wales. Anne joined us just over a year ago and we had looked forward to years of great fellowship and fun
more “From suppression to expression” was the intriguing title of a talk given to 13 Rotarians at their Llandudno Rotary Zoom meeting on Tuesday 27th April 2021
more At their latest meeting (on Zoom) on Tuesday 16th March, 13 Members were delighted to hear from prospective Member Tristan Owen about his life and adventures.
more Llandudno Rotary has lost its most senior Member, by both age and length of Rotary service. David Thomas, who would have been 88 in May died on 21st March, after a short illness
more Rotary is sad to announce the death of one of our longest-serving and much-loved friend, Mike Clutton
more The Lord Chamberlain’s Men is the 21st century recreation of Shakespeare’s own 16th century “playing company” complete with Elizabethan costume, music and dance with the title being expressly approved by the current Lord Chamberlain of the day.
more A longstanding tradition of Llandudno Rotary has been to invite a local person of the cloth to address the Club on any lessons learned from the year just gone that might be employed in the year to come
more In a year that has been a bit short of good news, Llandudno Rotary is delighted to announce that it has made the first round of awards from the Community Chest
more Llandudno Rotary had hoped to overcome COVID restrictions and hold the traditional Snowman Appeal. We managed one day before new, stringent Tier 4 restrictions defeated us
more We are proud to support St David's Hospice by running this fun fundraiser on their behalf
more The COVID virus adds to the demand for help from Llandudno’s food banks and yet at the same time adds to the problem of finding enough volunteers, food, and money
more When Rotary International President Mark Maloney chose “Rotary Connects the World” as the theme for his Rotary year, in early 2019
more Llandudno Rotary has had a happy association with Llandudno Youth Music Theatre (LYMT) for many years
more The Cae Mor Hotel is the regular meeting place for Llandudno Rotary. It had been closed throughout January and so 4th February saw our first “home” meeting of 2020
more Rotarians have always visited Rotarians from other Clubs, whether to support them on their Charter Night, to try and beat them in the annual Rotary District Quiz, to seek out a speaker of particular interest.
more Can you help Llandudno Rotary and the descendants of a grateful recipient of the kindness of one of our founders?
more Llandudno Rotary kicked off its activities for 2020 with a trip to Ffrith Beach 10 Pin Bowling, Prestatyn Social Secretary Mike Perry kindly arranged a friendly challenge between the nine Rotarians able to make the trip and ten of the Prestatyn Monday
more January is named after Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and transitions – i.e. both looking forward and looking backwards
more The Rotary Club of Llandudno have been in delicate negotiations with the Elves and Fairies and have succeeded in getting their permission to bring Santa to Llandudno Library for two days in December.
more Rotarians were pleased to hear from Sylvia Chadwick, Manager of Home-Start
more At their Annual General Meeting earlier this month Llandudno Rotary received the Treasurer’s Report from Rotarian David Thomas
more 19 members and friends of Llandudno Rotary heard Dr. George Kurian talk about the work of the town’s St David’s Hospice
more 21 Rotarians and friends demonstrated their (how can I put this?) varying skills at the Rotary Club’s Annual Skittles Competition, held at Penrhyn Old Hall on Wednesday 9th October 2019
more This double story starts with a quote from someone who may or may not have existed and who, if he did exist, almost certainly didn’t say this anyway, but here goes…..
more Llandudno Rotary, with help from ‘Friends of Rotary’ launches a new initiative at the end of this month
more Sixteen members of Llandudno Rotary heard a talk on 3rd September from Mark and Natalie Jones about the work of Guide Dogs for the Blind - Cymru
more Traditionally August is the month that Rotary focusses on growing its membership and so it is appropriate that this month two new members signed up to the ideas and ideals of Rotary
more When the pupils of Ysgol Deganwy return to school after the holidays they will find that their Music Department resources have been given a boost from a donation from Llandudno Rotary
more Rotarian Colin Lovell enticed 14 members of Llandudno Rotary to a talk that had been billed as “S*x, violence and Fast Living”
more 'What Boris' Bobbies Must Be'.
more Seasoned bowlers and some snobby seagulls alike were pretending not to notice the – ahem – somewhat variable standard of some of the bowlers in the Annual Bowling Competition hosted by Llandudno Rotary
more There are 35,000 Rotary Clubs in the world and each one of them starts the new Rotary year on 1st July with a new incoming President – except for Llandudno!
more At their meeting on 11th June members and friends of Llandudno Rotary were pleased to host Nicola Watkins (Chair) and Jeff Wright, (Playground Co-ordinator) of “Friends of Queen’s Park” (FQP) both of whom are volunteers in this community action group
more On 21st June 15 Rotarians and guests, including 3 former pilots, visited RAF Valley and were shown round by Squadron Leader Nick Jewsbury.
more Last year’s visitors thoroughly enjoyed their visit to Llandudno, Queen of Welsh resorts
more Every year, just as individual Rotary Clubs hold a Club Assembly for the purpose of reviewing and planning the coming Rotary year, so does District 1180
more Llandudno Rotary is again teaming up with St. David’s Hospice to give a group of a dozen or so day-Patients of the Hospice, and their carers a VIP day out at Bodnant Gardens on 11th June 2019
more Llandudno Rotarians Ian and Margaret Trevette have again spent the winter in South Africa and, as Rotarians, continued with their work to support Rotary projects in the Cape Town area.
more Chris addressed 13 members and an equal number of visitors at a Llandudno Rotary meeting held at the Cae Mor Hotel on Tuesday 2nd April
more Their 92nd Birthday Bash (sometimes referred to in more gentile circles as a Charter Night) at Conwy Golf Club on Friday 29th March certainly proved to be a magnet for all “the usual suspects” who would never, ever miss an excuse to party
more Judith Phillips regaled Rotary with anecdotes of 50 years of journalism
more The Doctor will see you now!
more Some months ago Llandudno Rotary changed its venue to the Cae Mor Hotel, on the Promenade, right next to the Venue Cymru
more Mike Perry, who recently transferred to the Club on his move to Llandudno after 20 years membership of Ilkeston Rotary in Derbyshire
more Llandudno Rotary and Llandudno Lions each has a proud record of charitable and social work in the town and although each has its distinct character and traditions, each organisation has always been keen to relate to the other
more Alison Blott, of the St Vincent de Paul Society describing the work of he organization to Llandudno Rotary
more On behalf of President Rosalind Hopewell and the members of Llandudno Rotary Club, I extend an invitation to your members and partners to join us at the above event.
more Last week saw Llandudno Rotary reviving an old Rotary custom of setting aside a week for members to visit other Rotary Clubs in the area, instead of their own Club
more 12 Rotarians met at Cae Mor Hotel and heard Beverley Bradley describe the work of Ty Gobaith (“Hope House”)
more At their first meeting of the new year, 18 Rotarians and friends dined at the Cae Mor Hotel, Llandudno, prior to receiving an address from retired Methodist preacher and friend of the Club, Malcolm Weatherby
more Every Boxing Day Llandudno Lions organize a Boxing Day Dip off Llandudno’ freezing North shore
more A HUGE thanks from all at Rotary Club of Llandudno for the magnificent response to our annual Mostyn Street Snowman Charity Collection
more After the recent death of Bryan Davies we have now learned that we have lost another of our much-loved colleagues of longstanding - Neal Riley - ,who died earlier this week
more After the recent death of Bryan Davies we have now learned that we have lost another of our much-loved colleagues of longstanding - Neal Riley - ,who died earlier this week
more Llandudno Rotary – and the whole town – is in mourning for Bryan Davies, its longest-serving member - he joined the Club in 1966.
more A talk from Andrew Russell, Headmaster of St David’s College, Llandudno
more A fascinating evening learning about what role Llandudno had in WW2
more The second round of this prestigious event
more An easy question for most of us, but not for everyone; and it’s a growing problem in Conwy, Martin Cooil told 20 Rotarians and guests at a talk to Rotary Club of Llandudno on “Homelessness” on Tuesday 30th October
more Find out more about the new "satellite" club that is being created in Llandudno - ideal for busy working people who want to put something back into the community.
more Incoming President Rosalind leads the Llandudno Rotary Club for the year to 30th June 2019 – and is all set to “be the inspiration”
more Llandudno Rotary was was honoured to have as its guest speaker Mr. Brian Lammond of ReMap UK
more Llandudno Gogarth Rotarian completes the London Marathon
more Llandudno Rotary features in the Daily Post's "On The Grapevine" feature
more YOUR HELP PLEASE! We ' Rotary' have been asked to help with the following: The charity Kidsout have struck up a partnership with the Midshires Group who specialise in mobility equipment, and they are launching what they describe as a Powered Wheelch
more Rotarians and their friends and guests were enthralled by the story that lies behind TV Conwy, as told by directors (voluntary and unpaid) Debbie Braden and Anna-Marie Munro in their “dynamic duo” presentation.
more August is traditionally the month Rotary worldwide looks to see how it can increase its reach, and the value of the work it does, by expanding its membership
more Tuesday 4th July saw President Mike Clutton hand over the reins to incoming President John New.
more Every year the Rotary Club of Llandudno hosts a competition at Craig y Don Bowling Club as to which of the area’s Rotary Clubs will carry off the coveted Llandudno Bowls Challenge Shield.
more Members visited the Rotary Club of Stoke on Trent
more Who is Gavin Davies...new Rotarian job talk
more Incoming President John New outlines the Club's plans for the coming year
more Rotary welcomes new members
more Rotarian Mike Dean spoke about tracing family trees
more Llandudno Rotary celebrated its 90th birthday on 31 March 2017
more Acclaimed Canadian author Elizabeth J Duncan, a two-time winner of the Bloody Words (Bony Blithe) Award for Canada's best light mystery, held a magnifying glass up to her writing process at a recent meeting of Llandudno Rotary.
more August is traditionally the month Rotary worldwide looks to see how it can increase its reach, and the value of the work it does, by expanding its membership
more A talk given recently by Rtn. Alan Guinn, a past President and past Mayor of Llandudno, about of the heartbreaking and yet incredibly rewarding experience of helping alcoholics to face their demons
more Members and friends of Rotary Club of Llandudno visited the spectacular Gwydir Castle and Gardens, a mile from Llanrwst.
more A sweet pea gesture, actually! At this time of the year, prize-winning gardener Allan Evans, a horticulturalist from Llandudno Junction, would normally be staking his claim to Gold and Sliver prizes at the Royal Welsh Show for his speciality – sweet peas
more Llandudno Rotary Club was honoured to receive newly-appointed District Governor Beryl Cotton to the Club
more A master-class talk from Rotary Magazine Editor Dave King on “Telling the Rotary Story”
more Rob Naybour explained the history of Bodnant Gardens to members of Llandudno Rotary
more a talk by Jo Chapman about her work as an outreach worker for WCD Young Carers.
more Rotarian David Thomas delved into the fascinating background of familar sayings
more On Tuesday, 22 September, sixteen members of Llandudno Rotary plus one visitor were delighted to hear a talk by Volunteer Co-ordinator Joanna Tann about the Llandudno establishment of the charity Blind Veterans UK.
more Annual District Quiz
more At Llandudno Rotary we continue to meet “virtually” and are currently focusing on how we can help the valiant efforts of Llandudno Food Banks
more Rotary's meeting on 28 February 2017 heard from member Rosalind Hopewell about running a bistro in Windsor
more Rotarian Ashok Harshey, of Llandudno Rotary Club walked 22 miles on behalf of two charities
more Llandudno Rotary provides feedback for the EngAGE Project's consultation on Wales' Strategy for Older People
more Local Schools plant purple crocus bulbs in Purple4Polio
more Celebrating Rotary in Llandudno
more Llandudno has lost a popular local figure as Bob Mills passes away
more Llandudno Rotary launches search for descendants of Founder Members
back Blood Bikes Wales is the eye-catching name for a group of dedicated volunteers who come together as a registered charity to transport blood and other urgently needed medical material from one NHS base in Wales to another