Mary Reid

I have now been made an honorary member of two Rotary clubs - last month it was New Malden, and today Kingston. It is a real privilege, as I have a huge amount of admiration for Rotarians, who between them do so much for local charities and to support community initiatives.

Kingston Rotary meet at Hotel Antoinette, and after lunch I was asked to speak about my career, interests and work as Mayor - try that in 15 minutes!

It was only a couple of days ago since I had last met most of them at the unveiling of the Rotary Centenary clock in Castle Street.  Back in the summer it was the Dragon Boat races. And next week I will catch up with them again at the Kingston Fireworks at Kingsmeadow.

I discovered that Kingston Rotary calls its Christmas float the Carol Wagon - they were sorting out the rota for the rather cold task of collecting for charities in the run-up to Christmas.

And, as I mentioned on Monday, Kids Out began in Kingston and is now a national annual activity supported by Rotary clubs all over the UK.

Footnote

When I was over in Jamaica in January I met the Press Officer at the British High Commission, Mark Waller. You can see him in this photo, in the back row, third from the left.

To my surprise I discovered that he came from the Royal Borough. And it is his father Keith who is the current President of Kingston Rotary!