Bexhill Club of Past Rotarians

First, our speaker for the October meeting was Past Rotarian Frank Strickland OBE, who has played a major part in the development of the Building Society Movement in the UK, in Europe and Internationally.

From a relatively obscure position in the NW Electricity Board accounts department he was 'head hunted' into the Chorley and District Building Society. This led to a career of growing influence in which he met and negotiated with many distinguished people. These included two Dukes and a Lord, who were presidents of the Building Societies Association when he was its chairman, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and many others. His work led to his being presented with the OBE by The Queen.

The other major Institution was The Port of London, where we were privileged to visit the operational centre. Staff in the Vessel Traffic Services control room manage the passage of over 30,000 commercial vessels a year and facilitate 200,000 leisure craft movements.

They ensure the safety of navigation along 95 miles of the tidal Thames and protect the marine environment. We also visited the Hydrographic services. Using sonar systems staff can spot obstructions and trouble spots and guide divers underwater.

As our visit drew to a close we saw an older and more romantic technology. The Paddle Steamer Waverley came gliding elegantly up the Thames as she would have done a century ago. It was the perfect closure to a fascinating afternoon.