Alan Campbell

Joe Emmerson

Kenneth Howe
Rotarian Kenneth Howe, who is a Solicitor by profession, is a Past President of the Rotary Club of Chester-le-Street (1985-1986), and a Paul Harris Fellow. Kenneth was inducted into the Club in 1977.  His main Rotary interest has been Rotary Foundation and he was Chairman of the Club’s Foundation Committee for many years. He hosted many Rotarian Scholars studying at Durham University as well as Group Study Exchange Teams visiting Distict 1030 and became a member of the District Foundation Committee.

Kenneth served as District Foundation Chairman selecting and choosing students from our District to study at Universities abroad on Rotary Scholarships - as well as selecting and choosing Group Study Exchange Teams to travel abroad to Rotary Districts throughout the world.

Kenneth then went on to serve as a Zone Chairman (now known as an Assistant District Govenor ) of our Rotary District 1030.

Kenneth is a keen golfer and has represented the Club in golf competitions in particular the District 1030 'Eykenbloom Golf Competition'.  Also our own Club 'Vernon Ferens Golf Competition', which Trophy was donated by a stalwart member of the Club who had an immense and dominating character who wanted all golfing members of the club whatever their ability to join in a Club golfing competition.

Kevin Jobson
Rotarian Kevin Jobson was inducted into the Rotary Club of Chester-le-Street in 1997 and was elected President for the year 2003 - 2004.  Subsequently he was District IT Officer and Webmaster for Rotary District 1030 until July 2007.  Currently he is his Rotary Club's PRO and IT Officer.

For 24 years Kevin Jobson served with the Royal Military Police, mainly in the Special Investigation Branch, at home and abroad.  On retirement in 1981 he was recruited into the Post Office Investigation Department with a remit to investigate crimes committed against the Post Office and its related businesses. 

In 1997 he finally retired and now spends his time with his wife and family and, among other interests, designs websites to stay out of mischief. 

Kevin is currently the Chairman of the Northumbria Branch of the Royal Society of St George, Hon. Secretary of the Royal Military Police Association (Northeast Branch), and a member of the Royal Military Police Association (SIB Branch).  He is also an active member of the Society of St Vincent de Paul, the Tyneside Leukaemia Research Association, and a retired Fellow of the Institute of Professional Investigators, a retired Member of the Institute of Leadership and Management, and a retired Member of the Forensic Science Society.

Lord Brian Mackenzie of Framwellgate OBE., LL B(Hons)
Rotarian Lord Brian Mackenzie of Framwellgate was inducted into The Rotary Club of Chester-Le-Street on 25th September 1992.

Brian Mackenzie was a Chief Superintendent in the Durham Constabulary and is a former president of the Police Superintendents’ Association of England and Wales, which post he held for three years. He was vice president for the previous two years.

A police officer for 35 years, he has served as an urban, rural beat, CID, and training officer. Having graduated in law with honours from London University, Lord Mackenzie is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy, Quantico, Virginia in the United States.

 

He served as head of his force drug squad and also as head of the crime computer project team, spending two years in an advisory capacity seconded to the Home Office. He is a former governor of the Police Staff College, Bramshill, and was a member of the Police Training Council for five years.

 

Lord Mackenzie has held sub-divisional and divisional command in the rank of superintendent and chief superintendent respectively. He has been commended for outstanding police work on seven occasions, by the courts and by his Chief Constable.

 

Having travelled extensively, Lord Mackenzie has studied and lectured on police methods in Italy, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Norway, Belgium, Ireland, Iceland and Austria, in addition to North America. In May 2000, he travelled to the Russian Federation, visiting Moscow and Siberia for talks with ministers, police chiefs and business leaders on crime and security matters.

 

Lord Mackenzie has extensive media experience, having broadcast regularly on both national television and radio, on law and policing issues. He is also the author of numerous articles, in newspapers and magazines on similar issues.

 

A married man with two grown up sons, Lord Mackenzie resides in the cathedral city of Durham where he has held the honorary and historical appointment of Billet Master since 1989.

 

He was awarded the OBE in the 1998 New Years Honours for services to the Police Service and the Police Superintendents’ Association of England and Wales.

 

Having retired from the police service on 5th May 1998, he was raised to the Peerage on 17th July 1998, and has been chairman of the Peers’ Home Affairs Group in the House of Lords since December 1998.

 

In March 2000 Lord Mackenzie was appointed president of the Joint Security Industry Council and was a special advisor on policing issues to the former Home Secretary, Jack Straw from 1997 to 2001.

 

Due to commitments in the House of Lords, on 24th August 2001 Lord Mackenzie reluctantly resigned from Rotary but in September 2001 was elected as an Honorary Member of The Rotary Club of Chester-Le-Street.

Malcolm Pratt MBE., DL. 

Rotarian Malcolm Pratt, a Freelance Sports Journalist, was inducted into The Rotary Club of Chester-Le-Street on 10th May 1996 and is currently President for the year 2007 - 2008.

 

For 30 years, until 2003, Malcolm Pratt was a member of Chester-Le-Street District Council. From 1977 - 1978 and again from 1982 - 1983 he was Chairman of the Council, and for the last 10 years, prior to his standing down, Councillor Pratt was the Leader of Chester-Le-Street District Council.

 

In the 1999 New Year's Honours List, Councillor Pratt was appointed a Member of the British Empire (MBE).

 

On 18th May 2001 Councillor Pratt was honoured by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by being appointed a Deputy Lord Lieutenant for the County of Durham.

Jonathan Nicholson (Jack) Straughan FCA., FTII.

 

Rotarian Jack Straughan has been in business for many years as an Chartered Accountant in Chester-le-Street, Co Durham.

On 1st of May 1956, he was inducted into The Rotary Club of Chester-le-Street and subsequently was elected Club President from 1966 - 1967. Jack continues to be an active Rotarian at the Club.

On 29th June 2001, Jack's son, the Club President, Rotarian Brian Straughan, on his last official duty before handing over his Presidency, had the happy honour to present The Paul Harris Fellowship award to his father, Jack Straughan.

Jack Straughan has strived for excellence during a busy and committed business life. He is a Partner of Chartered Accountancy Firms:

• B.J. Straughan & Partners of Chester-le-Street and Stanley, Co Durham.
• John Alderdice & Son of Consett, Co Durham.
• Rainbow, Straughan & Elliott of Sunderland.

During his successful career in accountancy, Jack Straughan achieved a number of academic and other awards:-

• Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
• Fellow of the Institute of Taxation.
• Past President of The Northern Society of Chartered Accountants.
• Freeman of the City of London.
• Member of The Chartered Accountants Livery Company.

An active Christian and Methodist Churchman, Jack is a Lay Preacher at the Methodist Church, in Chester-le-Street.

 

Rotarian Jack Straughan's other interests include being a member of Durham County Cricket Club and writing short stories. He continues to reside in Chester-le-Street with his wife Betty.