As you would expect, our Rotary club is composed of people who mainly live in and around Windermere, though we have members from Hawkshead, Kendal and Ambleside. We are all male at present and although our average age is now over 60 we consider ourselves to be a young club as a look at our pages here will show you.
Many members are retired from working life and find that Rotary gives them plenty of fun, fellowship and a chance to do something other than gardening!
Our President is Bill McCormack. Bill grew up in Glasgow where, after university, he worked on Wall Street before returning to England. He was made a member of The Stock Exchange in 1966 and remained in the financial sector until retirement. He first joined Rotary in 1976 until finally succumbing to business pressures and leaving some twenty years later. With spare time to fill after retiring to Windermere, he rejoined Rotary and also became Chairman of Lake District Housing Association Ltd which post he relinquished early in 2007. Together with other members of the Club he enjoys a full range of social activities - from golf to sailing – and promotes Rotary’s commitment to community service here and overseas. President Bill, Rob McGraw our President Elect and Alan Katz our President Nominee serve a twelve month period in office from 1st July 2007
Rob McGraw thoroughly enjoys Rotary and believes that it is the best organisation he has joined. He is currently the club's Protection Officer. He was born five miles from Windermere, but has spent many years working abroad as a Headmaster of British International Secondary Schools in Hong Kong, Germany and Thailand as well as lecturing in Education at Melbourne University, Australia. Rob and Christine have three married children and three grandchildren. Rob is chairman of our Club Service Committee
Alan Katz and Susan hail from Manchester. Following a career in accounting and finance work, Alan remains involved with the profession through research and examination work. Moving to Windermere in 1990 and semi-retiring in 1997 Alan joined Rotary in 1998 and has developed particular interests in international service and also in general charity fundraising including our Airshows. They have two daughters. Alan's leisure interests include theatre, concerts and trying to keep fit.
The club members all serve on one of our five committees - Rob is chairman of Club Service Committee which is the 'engine room' of the club. In addition, we have the following four committees:
Pat Crowfoot is chairman of our Community Service Committee - Pat has been married to Rachel for forty five years. They have four married children and ten grandchildren! Pat has spent his career in the Banking industry with a wide coverage of experience. The last twenty five years were spent as a specialist director in the credit card industry responsible for risk and loss prevention. Pat is a keen walker and sportsman, playing hockey for many years. He joined Rotary just over a year ago and is enjoying the experience.
David Matthews joined the club in 1985 and is an architect. He trained and practiced in London before moving to Windermere in 1973. He is chairman of our International Service Committee. His father was also a Rotarian. Before retiring, David played an important role in the Pattinson group of companies and the Windermere Steamboat Museum as well as maintaining his architectural practice. David continues to have numerous hobbies including politics, woodturning, reading, gardening and giving talks on historical subjects.
Mike Blackledge is our Rotary Foundation Committee chairman. He has recently moved house into Windermere and works a lot of his time in Manchester where he and his wife Jean, have a flourishing business. One of Mike's passionate hobbies is biking. He owns a BMW beast and has just returned from a 3000 mile journey into the Jutland area of Denmark with several stops in between. This particular venture was a Rotary Motor Bike Fellowship tour and Mike met many other Rotarian bikers from several European countries.
The club meets every Wednesday at 6.00pm for 6.30pm enjoying an excellent meal at reasonable cost.
www.windermere-rotary.org.uk 
