My name is David Hogg and I am Junior Vice President of Rotary Newton Aycliffe which means that I will become president on 1st July 2022. I joined Rotary in 2002 when, after moving to School Aycliffe and I was disposing of my Christmas Tree at the Rotary Charity Collection point at Heighington School Car Park, I was approached by a Rotarian and an old friend, Richard Gent. He took my Christmas Tree and simply asked what I was doing there. When I said I had just moved to the area he asked whether I was interested in Rotary and quickly followed it with “I will pick you up at 7 o’clock on Tuesday”. The rest is history. I was invited to join and became President for my first time in July 2005.
I am immensely proud of the work Rotary does, not only in our region by helping those in need but also worldwide with the Polio Eradication initiative which is close to eradicating polio from the world. What an achievement that would be! If only we could do the same with Covid-19. Another great initiative is the ShelterBox Scheme, originally created by the Rotary Club of Helston in Cornwall to provide shelter, drinking water, tools and equipment to enable the recipient to cope in times of disaster. It has now developed into a worldwide Charity that has Shelter Boxes situated all over the world ready to be deployed in the event of a flood, hurricane, earthquake, Tsunami or other disaster. There are many more projects that Rotary International have created or support, that the public do not hear about, such as literacy and poverty alleviation, peace scholars, games for the disabled, Rotary Youth leadership award courses and many, many more.
I am a widower currently living at School Aycliffe but will soon be marrying Carol. I have two children and five grandchildren, two stepchildren and three step grandchildren and when Carol and I marry I will inherit a further three stepchildren and six step grandchildren and one step great grandchild. Phew!! I was educated at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Darlington, the son of a farm worker, I have spent my working career of 53 years at Close Thornton Solicitors in Darlington and am currently a semi retired part time consultant solicitor. I now have time to enjoy walking my two dogs Mabel and Bertie, playing golf, and generally enjoying semi-retired life with fiancé Carol.
I do miss the camaraderie of the weekly Rotary meetings which Covid-19 prevents but hopefully we will be back to those next year and able to raise funds again to continue the great work that Rotary does. I am proud to be a Rotarian and even prouder to be a member of Rotary Newton Aycliffe.
