Keswick Rotary club saw an unusual handover of the chain of office this year on the end of a walking pole – strictly observing social distancing!
Previous presidents in the club’s 78-year history have usually seen the transfer of responsibility during a regular meeting.
However, due to the exceptional nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, outgoing president, Neil Beresford invited incoming president John Bowlby to meet him on the summit of Latrigg for the traditional event.
Reflecting on his term in office Neil said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my year as president, although latterly it has been a quite different experience.
“Our organisation has continued to be active in the community and has adapted to the challenge of COVID-19.
“Although our regular meetings are now online, they are as well attended as ever. Our fund-raising abilities have been somewhat curtailed by the restrictions, but we are proud that our joint initiative with the Lions Club is helping families in our area.
“John is taking over from me at a difficult time, but hopefully we will see changes for the better during his year.”
John, 61, who lives in Braithwaite with his wife Lesley, and has been with the club for five years, having moved to the area eight years ago after working as a civil servant with the department of education based in Darlington.
John said that he was very much looking forward to re-establishing an active presence of the club within the town, in due course.
