Alan Campbell PHF

Bill Holden
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 Clubs' Secretary.

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.

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

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 IT Officer and 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 and now 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, where he designed and manages the parish website, and where he is also an member of the Society of St Vincent de Paul.

Kevin Jobson is currently the Chairman of the Northumbria Branch of The Royal Society of St George, website: http://www.rssgnorthumbria.org.uk/, Hon. Secretary of the Royal Military Police Association (Northeast Branch). 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/, a member/fundraiser of the Tyneside Leukaemia Research Association: website: http://www.tlra.org.uk

In his professional capacity Kevin was a Fellow of the Institute of Professional Investigators, a former Member of the Institute of Leadership and Management, and a former Member of the Forensic Science Society, post-nominals he relinquished after retirement.

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.

Tom Moffat MBE, M.Ed, HonFMMM, MIEE
Rotarian Tom Moffat has been an active Rotarian for many years and, on 5th April 2002, he was inducted as President of the Rotary Club of Chester-le-Street.

Rotarian Tom is well known, principally as a league cricketer for over 40 years. He mainly played in The Durham Senior League but also a year in the famous Bradford League. He also played for Durham County in the Minor Counties Championship.

His career started as a colliery electrician; after which he did the three year NCB principal management training scheme and then in March 1958 (at age 27) he was appointed Chief Electrical Engineer at Usworth Colliery. In 962 he moved to teach Electrical Engineering at Durham Technical College (now New College Durham) and was Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Principal Lecturer for 24 years.

In 1981, when he was also Industrial Liaison Officer (ILO) alonside his teaching duties, Tom founded Durham Small Business Club limited (DSBC) and for 20 years was its Chairman, then President for another 4 years. In this time DSBC became the largest small business club in the UK. In his ILO role he also started a Public Lecture series, totally funded by local businesses, through which he brought around 36 national TV, sporting and other celebrities to the college to give public lecturers which were FREE and always oversubscribed. Tom's MBE, awarded in 1988, was for "Services to Small Business".

Perhaps Tom is better known both regionally and nationally for the work he did in helping to bring First Class Cricket to Durham County. Tom has recently published a book "The Impossible Dream.....Come True" which tells the story of how this incredible and unique acheivement was carried through. The book includes many factual and original - even historic - documents of this project for Tom, alongside Ian Caller and Consett Rotarian Don Robson worked to put this "dream" together from the DCCC standpoint for, at that time DCCC had no staff. As the scribe for this 3 man working party Tom was the scribe and so has all of these documents in his possesion.

For Durham CCC to has been Committee-man; Treasurer; Director and finally President 2006-2008, having played as a "colt" for Durham as far back as 1948

Alex Nelson, BA, MBA, MTS, FCILT, FRGS
Rotarian Alex Nelson 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. 

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.

 

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.

Malcolm Pratt is also a member of The Royal Society of St George.

Eric Pearce
Rotarian Eric Pearce was inducted into The Rotary Club of Chester-Le-Street on Friday 9th January 2009. Eric is a Major with the Salvation Army at Chester-le-Street Citadel.

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 Treasurer for some years. Currently he is Chairman of Club Foundation.

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.

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.

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

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.

Peter was educated at London University - 1948-51 and 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 78yrs.of age Peter has numerous local interests, which he hopes will continue for the foreseeable future (2009+)!