We were delighted to welcome the Lord Mayor of Canterbury, Councillor Jean Butcher, and the Lady Mayoress, Di Baldock, to our lunchtime meeting, during which we learned about their experiences in their year in office.
The Lord Mayor is traditionally an honorary member of the Club, so was particularly welcome. Both the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress are well known to us as they have joined us on several occasions during the year (including our Duck Race in 2023 and a “tree walk” through Westgate Gardens). Nevertheless, they were introduced to us by our President Rosemary Doyle, herself a former Lord Mayor of Canterbury.
Jean talked to us about highlights of her year, mentioning the Lord Mayor’s Christmas Gift Fund annual carol concert in Whitefriars as a very special occasion. She said how much she and the Lady Mayoress had been moved by the people they had met, all involved in working hard to help others in the community, and she commended the Rotary Club for their efforts in this way. Diane also spoke, and said what a privilege it was to serve Canterbury and what fun they had had at the Duck Race last September. Jean has been re-elected Lord Mayor, so we look forward to seeing more of her and Diane this year.
Picture: Lord Mayor of Canterbury, Councillor Jean Butcher (left), and the Lady Mayoress, Di Baldock (right), strike a pose with PP Tim Brett (aka Mr Duck) pictured during our Duck Race last year. Picture credit: Rotary Club of Canterbury.
With thanks to Rosemary Doyle for help drafting this article.