WHILE Cowdenbeath Rotary Club will be working hard to increase its membership a packed programme of activities has been put together for the new year which starts in July.

The club’s assembly meeting heard how the membership had shrunk slightly over the past 12 months but there was an action plan ready to be put into place to add to the number of members the club has.

Recruitment officer Alex Cuthbertson reported: “We lost a couple of members but gained our first associate member and we hope to get our first corporate member soon but we have to look to try to add several more over the next 12 months.

“We have an action plan to try to achieve this and will be putting it into operation in the coming weeks and months.”

New president Yolanda Hilton, said that she was honoured to be asked to take on the role, which will in fact be the second time she has led the club and added: “I am delighted to report that we have an enthusiastic team of people to lead our programme for 2019-2020 and to help people at home and abroad.

“We want to continue to play an active role in encouraging the pupils in our primary and secondary schools through various activities and also be in a position to assist deserving local causes.”

The club also intends to remain active on the international front and convener Tom Russell praised the public of the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area who had supported their Vision Aid and Tools With A Mission initiatives including the local opticians.

Said Tom: “The donations of spectacles which can be re-conditioned and sent to provide vital improved sight for people in the Third World saw 1,000 ‘recycled’ over the past 12 months while our relationship with Cowdenbeath based TWAM has seen a lot of valuable equipment recycled which can help farmers abroad.

“The need is still there though and we will be continuing to work to provide, with the help of the public, much needed items.”

Area Assistant Governor, Robert Main, who was a guest at the meeting, told the club: “I have to say that it is so encouraging to hear about how Cowdenbeath is continuing to do so much in its community with all age groups and I wish the members every success in their projects and also in their efforts to grow their numbers.”