Brian Takes Over As President: July 2011

 The Rotary Club of Cranleigh has a new President. Brian Vine, formerly a Chartered Mechanical Engineer who  worked in the electricity supply industry, took over from John Greenwood at the beginning of July 2011. Brian will serve for the next 12 months.

Brian and his wife Hazel have lived in Cranleigh for 40 years. Keen cyclists, they have cycled in many countries around the world, including China and Argentina. They also enjoy running and founded Cranleigh Runners Club in 1984. Brian’s main hobby is watercolour painting and picture framing.

Brian joined Cranleigh Rotary in 2002 and he has been impressed by the enthusiasm of the members for helping others in the local community and responding to world disasters. What particularly appealed to Brian was the professionalism of Rotary International in providing a well established network for channelling aid to where it is needed. This enables Rotary shelter boxes containing survival equipment and water purification units to be quickly dispatched and delivered.

Brian is keen to continue with the Cranleigh Club’s local charitable activities and to further develop the links with schools, including participation in Rotary's national competitions. He acknowledges that his greatest challenge will be recruiting new members.

“The Club has changed considerably over the years,” he said. "It is now less formal, with a much more relaxed approach to attendance, and a number of ladies have joined the Club. However, like all voluntary organisations, we are always seeking new members.”

Caption: John Greenwood (left) hands over to the new President of Cranleigh Rotary, Brian Vine.