Alan Campbell PHF

Rotarian Alan Campbell, is a retired Police Officer and a Past President of The RotaryClub of Chester-le-Street, where he was awarded the a Paul Harris Fellowship for his dedicated work in Rotary.  Alan is a former member of Council of Rotary District 1030.

Arnold Cook
Rotarian Arnold Cook is a Rotarian of long standing with The Rotary Club of Chester-le-Street , having taken part in many Rotary charitable projects.

A retired Bank Manager, Arnold is a keen fell walker with vast experience of the north-east hills and a former organiser of our annual charity walk for many years.

Brian Corker - Chair Club International Service.

Rotarian Brian Corker is a Past President of The Rotary Club of Chester-le-Street and, for the second time, was Club President 2010-2011.

Brian is a retired BBC TV Engineer and a keen 'Radio Ham'.

A Chester-le-Street man through and through, Brian joined BBC on leaving Chester-le-Street Grammar School, where he was recruited as “Engineer Designate “in 1959. He worked at Dickenson Road BBC Studios and with the Outside Broadcasting Unit, Manchester.

In 1960 he was moved to the newly opened BBC News Studio, Newcastle upon Tyne. In the following years Brian was instrumental in solving various Television Operational and System problems, which resulted in the BBC having a number of Technical Suggestions and Patents credited.

After successfully taking the BBC's internal examinations, Brian qualified as a C. Eng.

In 1969 Brian was appointed Assistant Lecturer and later Lecturer to the BBC Engineering Training Department, Woodnorton, Evesham, Worcestershire. At that time, Woodnorton was the only Broadcast Engineering Training College in the World; and he did a lot of lecturing in the 1970’s and 1980’s on Engineering and Operations. During this period of his career Brian was also seconded periodically to the Technical Investigation Unit at Television Centre.

Brian's broadcasting career also involved the Reorganisation of the Receiving Unit for Overseas Broadcasting on Ascension Island, Public Relations with the BBC Engineering Information Dept. and the introduction of Television Broadcasting for the Sultan of Brunei in Borneo.

In 1985 because of seniority, regular medical assessments were carried out in London, when he subsequently experienced early closure of his contract and was offered early retirement. Subsequently Brian's expertise was employed after the formation of a Technical Support Company for TV Advertising Facility Houses and Studios. He was also invited to Lecture at New College, Durham, on mathematics, advanced mathematics, electronics, micro electronics, computing and power distribution engineering.

All this came to an end in 1991, following a Hit & Run traffic incident; that sentenced Brian to a wheelchair for several years. However every cloud has a silver lining and Brian is thankful, for life with his wife Jean, and also as a Rotarian in helping him regain quality of life.

Eric Donkin
Rotarian Eric Donkin is long standing Rotarian with The Rotary Club of Chester-le-Street.

Eric is a Past-President of ProBus and a leading member of Chester-le-Street Methodist Church.

Bill Holden - Chair Foundation.

Rotarian Bill Holden is a Pharmicist by profession and was President of the Rotary Club of Chester-le-Street for the year 2008-2009. Bill is currently the Club Foundation Chair.

Bill is also a member of The Royal Society of St George.

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.

David Hughes
Rotarian David Hughes is a man of many talents; a retired businessman, soldier, author, watercolour artist, public speaker, and an extraordinary charity fundraiser, to mention a few.

For a number of years, aided by his associate and friend, Rotarian Bill Fish (unfortunately now deceased), David has worked to raise large amounts of money to help the charities he supports. Click on the link: 'Charitable Projects' to read about some of his charitable activities, notably his 'Grace House' project and 'Book Launch' project.

Ken Jackson - Treasurer.

Rotarian Ken Jackson was inducted into The Rotary Club of Chester-le-Street on Friday 18th September 2009.

Rotarian Ken is currently the Club Treasurer.

Kevin Jobson - Secretary, IT Officer, Webmaster.

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 IT Officer and Webmaster for Rotary District 1030 until July 2007.  Currently he is his Rotary Club's Secretary, IT Officer & Webmaster.

For 24 years Kevin Jobson served with the Royal Military Police, mainly in the Special Investigation Branch (SIB), 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 to play golf and fell-walk in Northumberland and North Yorkshire but now, in the main, spends his time with his wife and family and, among other interests, designs websites to stay out of mischief. 

Kevin and his wife Ursula attend St Joseph's RC Church of Birtley, Tyne & Wear, where he designed and manages the parish website: http://www.stjosephs-birtley.co.uk

He is a founder Member and a Past-Chairman of Northumbria Branch of The Royal Society of St George, website: http://www.rssgnorthumbria.org.uk which he designed and manages.

A Member of the Royal Military Police Association (Northeast Branch), where he has served as Branch Vice-President & Branch Secretary.
On 30 May 2009, he was appointed Vice-President for life of the Royal Military Police Association (SIB Branch), website: http://www.rmp-sib.co.uk which he designed and manages.

He and his wife have been for some years, until 2012, active members/fundraisers of the charity, Tyneside Leukaemia Research Association, for whom he designed and managed their first website.

He is also a member of The Catenian Association.

Before retirement, in his professional capacity, Kevin was a Fellow of the Institute of Professional Investigators, a Member of the Institute of Leadership and Management, and a Member of the Forensic Science Society.

Alex Nelson, BA, MBA, MTS, FCILT, FRGS - Vice-President.

Rotarian Alex Nelson is currently the Club's Vice-President. 

He is Stationmaster of Britain's busiest independent railway station in the town of Chester-le-Street, Co Durham. The station lies on the East Coast Main Line between London and Edinburgh, and employs five staff booking journeys throughout the United Kingdom. It was unstaffed, derelict and unloved until Alex, after a career in the bus and coach industry and an entrepreneur in group travel, opened the station in 1999.

Alex joined Rotary two years later during the presidency of Rotarian Brian Straughan.

A qualified transport professional, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, also a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, and a member of The Royal Society of St George.

Alex hopes that in future years it will be possible for other people to download his own brain to acquire rapidly his encyclopaedic knowledge of all Britains towns and cities and railways operating between them!

Malcolm Pratt MBE DL - President-elect & Chair Club Service.

Rotarian Malcolm Pratt, a Freelance Sports Journalist, joined The Rotary Club of Chester-Le-Street on 2nd March 1979 and had a break from 1st July 1992 - 10th May 1996. He was re-inducted into The Rotary Club of Chester-Le-Street on 10th May 1996 and was elected President for the year 2007 - 2008.  Malcolm has chosen to stand as the Club's President-elect for the year 2013-2014 and is also the Chair of Club Service.

 

For 32 years 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. Councillor Pratt was the Leader of Chester-Le-Street District Council, from 1991 - 2003, after which he did not seek re-election.

 

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

 

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

Prior to the demise of Chester-le-Street District Council, in favour of the new unitary Durham County Council which commenced on 1st April 2009, Malcolm Pratt had the title of Alderman bestowed on him for performing "eminent public service". Although granted by Chester le Street District Council just before its demise, the honour is carried forward and he is now an Alderman of Durham County Council.

Fred Richards PHF- Public Relations Officer.

Rotarian Fred Richards is a Past-President of The Rotary Club of Chester-le-Street and continues to be an active member of the Club.

Fred Richards is a retired Businessman, having been a successful and well known Florist in the town for many years.

Brian J. Straughan

Rotarian Brian Straughan is a Chartered Accounant in Chester-le-Street, Co Durham.

From 2000 - 2001 Brian was President of the Rotary Club of Chester-le-Street and subsequenty was the Club's Treasurer for some years and later Chair of Rotary Foundation, from which he has recently stood-down.

Brian is also a member of The Royal Society of St George.

Jonathan Nicholson (Jack) Straughan FCA, FTII, PHF

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 then 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.
• Rotary Paul Harris Fellow.

John Tootill
Rotarian John Tootill was inducted into the Rotary Club of Chester-le-Street on Friday, 9th March 2012.

Tom Turnbull
Rotarian Tom Turnbull is a Past-President of The Rotary Club of Chester-le-Street.

A keen golfer, Tom is a well known local Businessman.

Peter Usher
Rotarian Peter S. Usher B.Sc, FRICS, JP, PHF, is a retired Chartered Surveyor, Auctioneer and Valuer. He joined Chester-le-Street Rotary Club in 1965 and was elected Club President 1973-74.

A Past-President, Paul Harris Fellow and a long-standing Rotarian of The Rotary Club of Chester-le-Street, , Peter was educated at London University - 1948-51.  He did his National Service in the Royal Artillery.(Survey Regt.) - 1951-53.   Subsequently he went into Private Practice with his father, Leonard Usher, trading in Chester-le-Street as J.G.Usher & Son (est. 1893-1995).

Peter's father, Leonard Usher, was also a Rotarian of reknown. Rotarian Leonard Usher was Chester-le-Street Rotary Club's President 1934-35 and later became Rotary District 1030's Governor 1954-56.

Active both socially and in business, Peter Usher was the Founder Chairman of Chester-le-Street Round Table 1955-57, Area 20 Chairman 1962-63, Tax Commissioner 1996-2001, Justice of the Peace 1965-2001, and is the present Honorary Vice-President of Chester le Street Golf Club.

At 78 years of age Peter has numerous local interests, which he hopes will continue for the foreseeable future (2009+)!

Bob Watson BEM, PHF - Programme Editor.

Rotarian Bob Watson is a Past-President of The Rotary Club of Chester-le-Street and a Paul Harris Fellow.

A retired Head Teacher, Bob, is a renowned and talented Musician, and a Trustee of the James Etherington Music Awards, an annual competion for aspiring young Musicians in the Chester-le-Street area.

In 2013 in Her Majesty The Queen's New Year's Honours List, Bob was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for his service to Education, Music and Charity in the Chester-le-Street Community.

Linda Watson PHF - President.

Rotarian Linda Watson became the first lady member of The Rotary Club of Chester-Le-Street on Friday 9th January 2009. 

On Friday, 6th July 2012, Linda was inducted as President of the Rotary Club of Chester-le-Street.

Linda is a retired Teacher and has been and still is, after many years, the Producer/Director of the amateur theatre/drama group 'Youth Connection', a local charity. For her dedication to drama and theatre, within the local community, nationally and internationally, she was awarded by Rotary a Paul Harris Fellowship; the highest award in Rotary.

On Friday, 1st March 2013, Councillor Linda Marshall JP, Chair Durham County Council (DCC), awarded Linda Watson the Chairman's Medal, for services over many years and several generations of school children to education & drama for the benefit of young people within the Chester-le-Street community. The Chairman's Medal is the highest honour Durham County Council can award any of its citizens.