Club Members
Our club is made up entirely of volunteers. We all come from a wide variety of backgrounds but we all have one thing in common – a strong desire to do the best for our community
Graham Dawson
Club President
After a 16 year career in RAF and MOD I set up my own Computer and Management Training company in Hastings.
I joined Rotary in Hastings in 1994 before moving to Kenya in 1997 to become a founder member of RC Muthaiga in Nairobi. Returned to UK in 2000 and joined RC Bexhill-0n-Sea with 41 members and after having been Chair of Community, International and Environmental committees I became President in 2021-22. In 2022, I sold my company, retired then moved to Gedney Dyke and transferred to RC Spalding.
I enjoy my time with Rotary and giving back to the community. There’s a wide variety of activities to get involved such local Community projects, Youth projects and Environment. In addition, I have made life-long friends both in the UK and abroad. I would highly recommend anyone joining their local Rotary Club.
John Ralph
Club Secretary
I joined Rotary about 15 years ago with a view assisting those at home and abroad who are less fortunate than myself. I find that Rotary provides an ideal basis for combining with others of a similar view so we can pool resources and, as the saying goes, achieve more than the sum of our parts. I would encourage anyone from any background to join the Spalding Club and help us to further our aims.
David Reynolds
Club Treasurer
I joined Spalding Rotary in 1992. At that time I was a Manager with HSBC Bank and the main reasons for joining were to network in the local business community and support local charities. Since then I have retired, 2012, but during the last 30 years my Rotary priorities have flexed, which with the broad scope of Rotary is normal. Today the friendships I have made, the events we organise for the community and the International reach Rotary has via disaster relief and polio eradication have become important. With my financial history I have been Treasurer for several years.
Barry Elliott
A fifth generation Spaldonian, I have been a Rotarian for thirty years, serving as President three times. I am also a Trustee of the Meadows Day Centre, reflecting my interest in the people of my town. I am Grandad to seven children aged from a few months to sixteen years. Time with them is special and (usually) very rewarding.
I am a keen cook and ‘grow my own’ whenever possible. My other passion is music, preferring live to pretty much anything recorded. I have been a blood donor since the 1970’s, having given 114 donations at the last count.
Carole Lewry
I was born and grew up in London. I am a retired Primary teacher . I moved up to Lincolnshire about thirty years ago. I love gardening, I relax with Line Dancing, Salsa and Pilates and I spend time doing various crafts.
I joined Rotary just before Covid.
I have loved the variety of fund-raising activities, the interesting people I have met and the different places that I have visited. We have a real challenge to find some younger club members and I look forward taking part in the response to that challenge.
John Syson
Born in a Derbyshire mining town as the Buzz Bombs passed overhead –heading for Sheffield. 15. Local Primary School where I learned to fight and little else –so ,age 9 I pestered for change 15. Boarding School up to 17 yrs – NHS in 50’s G.P ‘ s treated badly by Patients , I couldn’t stick needles in Dogs so ,to a very independent mind, Dentistry beckoned — to London Uni. and Kings College . 30. Enjoyed Kings College Hospital for 5 years ,especially Hospital Cup Rugby -gor engaged. Offered Job by lecturer in Leicester , wanted to be a Family Dental Surgeon so moved to Spalding. Married in 1966 (Daughter in West Pinchbeck , Son Stratford upon Avon ) , joined Rotary 1972. Rotary lots of CommVoc, Gp Study Exchange leader and AGD Gp A 1984(polio + launch ) –1987. I have been Lucky thanks to the sacrifice of my Parents and Happy thanks to my Family.
Chris Chew
Joined in 1986 age 44. Rotary member 39 years
Why I joined then – Back in the day ! What Rotarians can achieve together. Friends asked ‘come and see what we do’. Diverse group of people (working and retired) sharing Rotary Aim ‘Service before Self’ working together on events, projects large and small supporting local and international community. Fitted in with work commitments. Family could get involved.
My Rotary membership
Member, Club President, District Governor (one year post) supporting 90 area clubs, working with fellow international Rotarian’s across the world
Highlights – New members, Helping Santa spread joy on the Christmas sleigh visit around town. Joined international team placing 2 drops of polio vaccine on the tongues of young vulnerable children in India Rotary ‘End polio now’ world campaign (1980’s ) almost achieved its goal in 2024. Visiting Rotary clubs around the country and world, on work visits, holidays, and Rotary conference
Why I would join today … Rotary is changing, adapting to the modern world while retaining the same core aim ..‘Service above self’ ( 1905 and still as relevant )
Club Rotary remains enjoyable, worthwhile, supportive. Family and friends can get involved.
Recommendation .. One of the best decisions I made.
Melvyn Price
My time in Rotary started back in the early 1990’s when I joined the Rotary Club of Spalding.
Since then, I have taken most (but not all) of the various roles within the Club.
I was privileged to become the club’s President in the Rotary year 2002-03 and again in 2014-15. Indeed, I was President again in 2015-16 but only for the second half of the year when the then President resigned after his first six months in office.
However, the fellowship that you experience in Rotary stretches far beyond the members of your own Club. I experienced this added dimension when I joined the District 1070 Conference committee in 2008 as the conference treasurer. Having initially “signed up” for one year for the conference in Torquay, I ended up in the role for seven conferences, over ten years, in places from Eastbourne to Southport and Telford to Llandudno. But it was all great fun and fellowship.
Peter Start
My father was an instigator of the re-formation of the Spalding Rotary Club post war. I was a founder member of the Rotary Club of South Holland in 1983 and served as President on two occasions. I have been chairman of most, if not all, committees throughout my service. I was a solicitor and have lived all of my life in and around Spalding.
My interest recently has been Youth Service, particularly in relation to Calvert, RYLA and Young RYLA and have attended at Calvert and Young RYLA. For many years I was the organiser of the Christmas Sleigh run, since 1985, which during its period of operation raised about £250,000.
What I have got from Rotary is many good friendships and a sense of achievement by helping many good causes.
Howard Gelly
In 1990 I was a founder member and inaugural Secretary of Peterborough Werrington Rotary Club; I left the Club eleven years later due to relocation, and rejoined in 2013 when I was in a position to do so and continued as a member until the Club decided to close in 2018, during which time I had a spell as Treasurer.
I then came to the Spalding and have continued in membership, having the unusual experience of serving for two consecutive years as President, due to Covid.
I have over the years been Lead for, and have a particular interest in, Foundation, Membership and Environment, and in this busy year am taking on International.
A retired chartered public finance accountant, since retiring I have undertaken a public finance consultancy role, and have also been involved in the setting up and running of start-up businesses. I have two adult children and six grandchildren, who hopefully help to keep me young!
Diana Ridpath
George Clement
Rodney Britten
Shamal Warnakulasurya
