St. George’s Rotary Club unveiled a new seaside plaque on the same June evening that Harry Ingham finished his term as president and St. George’s Mayor Mariea Caisey stepped in as the new President.

Mr. Ingham explained that a few years ago, St. George’s Rotary wanted to do something to commemorate the landing of the survivors from the Sea Venture.

“Various ideas were floated, and eventually someone came up with most of the final wording, I believe it may have been past president, J. Henry Hayward.

“ In order to have Rotary recognised for putting the plaque there, it was decided to use it to commemorate St.George Rotary’s fiftieth anniversary, even though we were now a few years past 2001.”

Planning approval was obtained. We purchased a suitable Rock in October 2005 and received the finished plaque in early June 2006,” explained Mr. Ingham.

Mr. Hayward was asked to do the unveiling as he is the longest serving member of St. George Rotary, having joined in March, 1961 and was also a past president of the Club. Rotary paid for the rock and the plaque.

Mrs. Caisey was asked to speak at the unveiling, in her capacity as mayor, since the plaque was in the Corporation of St. George’s area.

Mr. Ingham said: “It was a pleasure to turn over the Presidency to Mariea on June 26 which marked the end of my term, with her first full meeting on July 3.

“When Mariea was asked to become president, in November, 2004, she did not know she would also be Mayor this year. As a result, she has her hands full with all of her commitments!”

Mr. Ingham joined Rotary in September of 1984. Rotary meets every Monday night, except on public holidays.

“We try to have interesting speakers for all but one meeting each month. I enjoy the fellowship at the meetings and the team spirit in our fund raising and community service projects.

“We also meet many interesting members from clubs all over the world when they do a make-up meeting in Bermuda,” said Mr. Ingham.

The club is actively involved in student and community programmes.

The St. George’s Club participates in the Rotary Exchange Programme where Rotary in Bermuda sends about 12 local students to countries all over the world for about ten months.

In exchange, each Bermuda club hosts two students from abroad each year. Through their fund raising, they support youth organisations in St. George’s, such as The Sea Cadets and Outward Bound and other charities: PALS, Meals on Wheels, Project Action, Salvation Army, and St. George’s Foundation.

St George Rotary also provides a bursary for a deserving student going abroad for their education each year.