AT the annual handover dinner at Orles Barn Hotel, Rotarians, their partners and friends witnessed David Burgess hand over the presidential chain of office to Kim Hampson, who became the 58th president of the club.

David Burgess thanked all those who had supported him during his year in office during which a considerable number of activities had taken place to support the local, national and international communities.

The club dispersed more than £12,000 to various causes, varying from helping a needy family go on holiday to providing £1,100 to aid victims of the floods in Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire, and listened to more than 30 interesting talks on numerous subjects.

Kim Hampson has been a member of the club for five years since moving to the area to become a business manager for PGL. His wife is Sandra and they have two sons, both of whom have married within the last month, and a daughter. Their home is in Linton.

Asked why he had joined Rotary, Kim’s answer was very simple: “It enables me to carry on from where I left off in Round Table in being able to help the community and have fun.”

Kim will be supported by George Pendlebury as senior vice-president and Jackie Crane as junior vice-president (the first woman to hold this office in the history of the club). He was congratulated on his appointment on behalf of the Rotary district governor by Philip Dazeley, the assistant district governor for the area.

Kim has a number of aims for his year as president. Internationally, he wants to see the club continue to support the Rotary campaign to rid the world of polio; to help disadvantaged children so that the 30,000 who now die needlessly every day for want of clean water and proper hygiene can be reduced; to provide better facilities for a remote village in Nicaragua; and to continue to support the people of Namatumba in Uganda through links with John Kyrle High School. Nationally, there will be support for groups involved in researching treatment for cancer and locally the emphasis will be on supporting groups who are already doing all they can to help themselves and where some additional support can make a big difference. Regular events during the year will include a stroke awareness day, a community Christmas party, and supporting career interviews at John Kyle.

Fundraising activities will include the annual boxing night, a lecture by the former MP and newsman Martin Bell, a clay pigeon shoot, a swimathon, support for Ross Hospital and Merton House and a street collection. The Monday evening club programme will include a variety of enjoyable events. Kim has urged people to look at the club’s website, rossrotary.com, or to call 01989 567810 to find out more about the club and what it has to offer.