Every Christmas Time, the Rotary Club of Kenilworth has its traditional Christmas Dinner to say thank you to our friends and to those who have given service to the Town. On this occasion the usual Citizen of the Year Award was presented not just to one, but to two ladies who in their different ways had worked for the people of Kenilworth over many years. Freda Wheat is a tireless worker involved in setting up the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and the Waverley Day centre; Pauline Edwards, a long-term Kenilworth Councillor and three times Mayor of the Town. Rotary also confers Paul Harris Fellowships on those who have served the Club and the Community. This year, a relatively new member, Bob Kelly was astonished when his name was called. Bob’s health has been ravaged by cancer in a manner that would have caused lesser mortals to withdraw. Not Bob. In between treatments he was back to work as the club's Publicity Officer, never missing a trick. Thank you Bob. The honour is well-deserved.

The evening’s focus was given to the Christmas Message presented by Vincent Price, the new Minister at Kenilworth Methodist Church, speaking about the birth of a baby, particularly his grand-daughter, but also everyone else’s child or grand-child. An opportunity to reflect on the special nature of Christmas.

Then came the entertainment: The Pantomime, Aladdin, read by volunteers dressed in ad hoc ill-fitting wigs and dresses. The script, written specially by Rotarian Phil Highley, was full of topical references to the club. After the applause, Phil returned to his table and someone leant on it, only for the table to crash to the floor. Anything can happen at Rotary!