Richmond Rotary Club is celebrating the arrival of its new president David Stewart.

In addition to the usual handover ceremony at a dinner at Richmond Golf Club, the outgoing president Jos Huddleston met with David Stewart in the sunshine on the outskirts of Richmond. The chain of office includes the names of past presidents dating back to 1954.

Mr Huddleston said: “It has been a great pleasure being president of Richmond Rotary Club, a group of remarkable people doing remarkable things.

"Following the theme of ‘inclusion’, we have provided a children's Discovery Trail at Richmondshire Museum, supported the Richmondshire Refugee Group and with local partners installed the first gates to ease access to Willance’s Leap.

Darlington and Stockton Times: David Stewart, left, and Jos Huddleston

"In addition to supporting many local groups and individuals we have, through street collections, raised funds for the victims of the Turkey/Syria earthquake and the Ukraine floods. We continue to be involved in the community through our many events, including the Art Exhibition, Technology Tournament and Best Kept Village Competition.

"I welcome our new president David Stewart and wish him a happy and successful year.”

Taking up his new role, Mr Stewart said: “Rotary clubs like Richmond do an amazing job for their local communities as well as giving members a great deal of fun and friendship. I plan to organise our business in a way that takes account of our reduced membership whilst still encouraging new people to join us.

"Developing our links with the community of Richmond will be especially important whilst like other Rotary clubs we remain very aware of other communities around the world.

"Rotary is a prime example of ‘thinking globally and acting locally’ and Rotary members have a strong sense of being part of a worldwide movement.”