Warwick Rotarians renewed the ties of Friendship this week when 6 members of the Rotary Club of Warwick at City Centre, Newport News, Virginia, USA came to visit.
Warwick County, Virginia was established in 1634 by the 2nd Earl of Warwick who started tobacco farms there, later it became part of Newport News, the world’s largest shipyard. Rotarians had visited each others clubs in 1997, and wanted to re-connect.
After a tour of Warwick in glorious weather, visitors arrived at the Lord Leycester Hospital for lunch where Master Heidi Meyer showed them the Elizabethan Guild Hall. In the afternoon they visited Warwick Castle, hearing more about the Earls of Warwick and watching the falcon show.
After a final day visiting Stratford on Avon, Rotarians and friends came together for dinner at Guys Cliffe House, sharing common interests and making presentations
The Rotary Club in Newport News was chartered in 1945, making this their 80th year – Warwick UK club is also 60 years old this year, and the visitors discovered many similarities to their colleagues in UK. Both clubs marshal marathons, and run food festivals raising money to help their communities! The US club founded the Virginia Living Museum where they meet and gave President Dick Dixon a toy otter, their mascot.
After presentations by two of our local charities, one being a new community centre at Priory Pools, Warwick Mayor Cllr Dave Skinner observed that Warwick Priory had been taken brick by brick over to Virginia in the 1920’s!
Past President Jennifer Daknis who led the visit presented President Dick Dixon with a twinning certificate which both signed and expressed the hope that their clubs can collaborate on a joint project overseas. Gifts were exchanged and District Governor Denzil Williams was presented with a cheque and friendship certificate by PDG Ella Abney. It is hoped that UK Rotarians will make a return visit to Virginia next year.
Concluding the evening President Dick Dixon said the exchange represented the best of Rotary – fellowship, global understanding, and shared service. We are delighted to have renewed the bond between our clubs and look forward to working together.
Special thanks are made to Rotarian Alan Bailey who made all the arrangements for an enjoyable visit.
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