President Ken with 6 members, partners and guests were delighted to join with Donaghadee Rotary Club on Thursday 23 September.
Before the meeting Donaghadee Club arranged a visit to the Samuel Kelly Lifeboat Restoration Project in the car park beside the marina which was most interesting and greatly enjoyed.
Dinner at the Golf Club provided time to chat and get to know some of the Donaghadee Club members and the evening concluded with a fascinating talk on the history of Donaghadee by local historian Robert Neill.
55 Club members and guests enjoyed an excellent Christmas Lunch at the Europa Monday 16 December with a delicious meal and splendid entertainment and fellowship. President Karen was delighted to welcome members' partners and guests including widows of former members and Inner Wheel Club of Belfast President Paddy Glass with Hon. Secretary Beryl Reid and Gillian McAtackney team member on the 2013 Rotary Group Study Exchange to New Zealand led by Past President Marnette Lyons.
An unusual and extremely enjoyable Club meeting was held Monday 28 October at the Dark Horse Bar in the Cathedral Quarter Belfast for which thanks are extended to owner Willie Jack who President Elect Ken Nixon notes: has put so much into the area and works hard to create a positive outlook for Belfast and indeed the whole Province.
After an excellent soup and sandwich lunch Willie Jack led a very interesting and often amusing tour of his outstanding internal courtyard filled with murals giving a highly entertaining rundown on the artistry and background to each set of murals. The group then moved next door to The Friend at Hand a quirky museum of some 700 varieties of Irish Whiskey which charts the whiskey distilling history of Belfast before progressing across Hill Street to The Harp Bar and Orpheus Gallery where the dance floor from the old Orpheus Ballroom (York Street) covered the ground and first floors of Bar. Willie Jack guided members through this magnificent building pointing out the many interesting stories behind the various artefacts that he had been able to gather.
President Mark was delighted to welcome all as he celebrated his year at his President's Day held Monday 24 June at The Royal Belfast Golf Club. Always an exceptional event in the Club calendar, this year's relaxed and convivial evening proved to continue that tradition being greatly enjoyed by the 51 members, Honorary Members and guests. Luckily the weather held for the 6 members who played golf during the afternoon and for members and guests to enjoy “the putting challenge” and chatting on the terrace before moving in for dinner.
The Club were delighted to host a very special Charity Evening Monday 20 May when, in the form of a 'living room chat', Lady Mary Peters gave a fascinating and entertaining question and answer session with Keith McGarry Solicitor Advocate, Conn & Fenton Solicitors, encompassing many aspects of her life.
The Mary Peters Trust Board greatly thank the Club for the exceptional £1,530 raised, Lady Mary is pictured right thanking interviewer Keith McGarry and Club members President Elect Ken Nixon and Past President Campbell Morton.
Membership of the Club is an incredibly rewarding and enjoyable experience and we are actively looking for new people to invite to join and breathe new vibrancy and ideas into the Club and take Rotary into its second century in Belfast.
If you think Rotary may be for you, or for further information, please contact us.
Getting involved with Rotary could be the most important thing you ever do.