Dr Robert Hodge – President -Dr Robert Hodge retired early in 2009 after a long career in organisational and people development, travelling extensively around the world. He is a serial academic with degrees in mathematics, psychology and philosophy, and switched to the study of history taking a PhD from the University of Birmingham. He teaches Latin and ancient Roman history, studies ancient Greek and Mandarin Chinese. Robert joined Rotary to get to know people and to support local deserving causes and thoroughly enjoys the fellowship offered by working with fellow Rotarians on ways to raise funds. He was Treasurer of Rotary for some years before becoming President and is a trustee and treasurer of several other charities. In his spare time, he spends too much money on travel and live opera.
Tom Hunt – Vice President , Foundation & International – For background, Tom has run software application companies for over 30 years and before that spent 11 years in the Royal Air Force. His Rotary journey began I 1989 when he was asked to join by the person he bought a house from! He has had various roles over the years but for the last 10 he has been involved with Rotary’s own Charity – The Rotary Foundation – whose strap line is ‘Doing Good in the World’. Tom is also involved in many club events that help ‘make a difference’ in the local community and he gets great satisfaction in helping others that being a Rotarian allows him to do.
Paul Serrell-Cooke – Secretary – Paul had a nomadic career in the Royal Air Force for 24 years, before finally settling in Shropshire in 2007. He then spent 14 years involved in the design and delivery of organisational change, initially working alongside public sector organisations and more recently in the automotive industry. Retiring in 2021, Paul has been keen to support the local community as well as a number of charitable causes. Rotary presented a perfect combination to achieve both, with the added advantage of meeting and working alongside many very talented and like-minded colleagues.
Ray Cork – Treasurer -When I retired and moved to Ludlow in 2020 I was looking for a way to make friends and help raise money for good causes, joining Ludlow Rotary Club has fulfilled both. I am now excited to be the honorary treasurer for the Club.
Barry Forrester – Publicity Officer – Organisational design and the management of change have been at the core of Barry’s professional career, the majority of which was in the UK Civil Service. Roles included financial controller of major capital spending projects, HR Director of a government agency, and principal policy adviser to the UK Civil Service Commission. He was made an OBE in 2010. Shortly after retirement to Ludlow, he was encouraged to join the local Rotary Club as a means of meeting lively people with a commitment to serving the local community. In addition to his role within the Club, Barry is a Canon Emeritus of Hereford Cathedral.
Fiona Jacklin – Speakers Secretary – I’m a retired Health Visitor and came to Shropshire in 2009. After training as a nurse I worked in Community nursing as a family Health Visitor. My work also involved Public Health strategies and Early Years initiatives through Sure Start. I also served as a Magistrate for 10 years. I enjoy being a Rotarian and supporting community projects and I have been a member of Ludlow Rotary since 2010 and been involved in several Club committees including social events, Youth service, fundraising and President of the Club in 2016/17.
Sue Rew – Youth Services – As a teacher of dance I worked in an advisory capacity for Liverpool and Newham Education Authorities. After a move to Brussels I joined The American Theatre Company as Choreographer. On return to the UK in 1985 I joined The Powys Dance Team involved in Dance Education and came to live in Ludlow. I then joined the staff at Ludlow C. of E. School as Dance Teacher. In 1989 and ‘90 the school won The Barclays Music Theatre Awards and I spent 11 years in post at the school. Having left the school I worked as a Dance Advisor for West Midlands Arts with a special responsibility for Birmingham Royal Ballet and became chairperson of the Dance Agency for Shropshire. I’ve always worked on local projects related to Dance. I’ve produced Dance events at Ludlow Assembly Rooms, contributed to Shakespeare plays in the castle, and sat on the board of Ludlow Assembly Rooms and the Council of Ludlow Festival until it ended in 2012. When my teaching career ended I joined Rotary in order that I maintain a contribution to life in the town.
Update 23/06/2024. AJT