Rotary pair got a surprise at birthday party

The birthday dinner at Hatfeild Hall turned into an awards ceremony for its treasurer and president.

Treasurer Trevor Waddington received the highest honour available within Rotary, the Paul Harris Sapphire award, while president Bob Guard was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship Award for his charity work.

Mr Waddington is only the third member of the club to receive the honour in its long history. The sapphire prize was awarded for his many years of “unstinting service in support of the club”.

Mr Guard said of his own award: “This was a complete surprise. The past presidents, who decided to make the award, did so without letting anything slip during the run up to these celebrations. This honour is really appreciated as it is a vote of confidence in my year of being president and I am deeply honoured.”

The surprise followed the annual golf match against Woodall Spa Rotary Club at Normanton Golf Club. Some 80 members guests went on to celebrate the club’s birthday with a special dinner. The guests included the Mayor of Wakefield, Coun June Cliffe, Consort Jack Cliffe and Hazel Haas, the Yorkshire District Governor for Rotary.

Making up the honoured guests were Derek Cocup, from Ackworth, and John Parry, who is known to most as “the Voice of Wimbledon”. He umpired many Wimbledon finals, including some with John “Superbrat” McEnroe.