A Shropshire Rotary Club has recruited two new members simultaneously – as its parent organisation announces the imminent launch of an ambitious initiative to grow membership nationwide.
Officers and members of Shrewsbury Severn Rotary Club have warmly welcomed Marcus Watkin and Johnathan Callwood who will both be inducted at its next meeting.
Marcus, who was born in Shrewsbury, worked for the health authority as well as in the licensing trade for several years. In 2002 he was involved in a motorbike accident resulting in him being airlifted by Midlands Air Ambulance.
He spent a year in hospital having sustained a spinal injury which left him as a full time wheelchair user. Since then he has been involved with a few charities including Midlands Air Ambulance.
He is a West Mercia Police volunteer and involved with wheelchair access groups amongst other organisations. He is married with two sons.
Marcus said today: “I believe that the Rotary is a well known and respected organisation who have helped many groups over the years.
“I’m hoping my acceptance by members will assist Rotary to expand and get the recognition it richly deserves.”
Johnathan was a cabinet maker and furniture restorer until he moved overseas on a ‘Spanish adventure’ which he says ‘was the making of me’. “I learnt a new language, culture and built a beautiful leisure park.
“I dealt with the authorities at government level and met many powerful people. I honed my building and project management skills and the experience serves me well to this date.”
Johnathan’s business continues to carry out contracting and renovation work having recently restored two houses in Shrewsbury, one of which he now lives in.
He said he has subsequently been working on an ‘exciting project’ developing new hydrogen technology at Darwin House and two years ago was made an honorary fellow of Chester University.
Johnathan added: “I hope to make a valuable contribution to the club’s activities.”
Said Shrewsbury Severn Rotary Club President David Morris: “Many organisations and local clubs have clearly been suffering from reduced membership levels over recent years.
“However, our particular Rotary Club is continuing to support such a wide range of charities in the Shrewsbury area – and beyond – that we are continuing to attract new Rotarians with a strong level of proactivity who actually want to make a real difference in their local area.
“”These enthusiastic new members have come from a proven background of sheer hard work and I know that they will play an important part in strengthening our group; allowing us to even further widen our continuing efforts to support the most vulnerable and needy within all sections of the local community.”
Nationally, Rotary in Great Britain & Ireland has announced a new initiative to grow Rotary to 60,000 members in these isles by 2028.
Anyone locally who is interested in finding out more about Rotary can contact gdmw@hotmail.co.uk
