COWDENBEATH Rotary Club’s new president, Hank John, is determined to see the 2024-25 rotary year inspire local young people and continue to develop fellowship among the membership.

And at the club’s assembly meeting, last Thursday, he also said he wished that they can keep helping communities abroad.

Hank will take over from retiring president, John Gilfillan, on Thursday June 27, and he looked ahead.

“We have had a packed centenary year, with many things happening, but the aim has to be to keep up the momentum,” he said.

“I must praise president John for his tremendous work and leadership over the past 12 months, and my aim has to be to keep up the momentum in 2024-25.”

He added: “The centenary year has seen us enjoy many fellowship occasions, and without doubt this is something which we need to continue.

“Our involvement with youth has seen us continue to sponsor pupils at Beath and Lochgelly high schools to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Award scheme, and I think this is something we must look to continue.

"But we also have the opportunity to create 'Rotakids' clubs in local primary schools, and I would hope that we can start that with a club at Kelty Primary School.

“Looking abroad, the past two years has seen us work with communities in Kenya, to create an education facility in Eldorit, and also provide equipment and coaching for street football teams in Mombassa, which have been warmly welcomed over there.

“For the coming year, there is the opportunity to create some much needed fresh water facilities in a village in Zimbabwe, which I believe we can follow up on in the coming weeks and months.”

Area governor, Libby Seath, welcomed the incoming president’s words, and said that it was clear that he was determined to keep up the momentum that the centenary year had created.

“Cowdenbeath Rotary Club has been very busy over the past year, and it is so encouraging to hear that there will be no letting up in the coming 12 months,” she said.

“I am looking forward to seeing the club’s Mining Memorial Project completed in the coming weeks, which will remember the role coal played in Cowdenbeath’s development as part of the centenary plans, and being involved in creating Rotakids clubs would be an excellent path to follow in the coming year.”