Rotarians honour ex-Mayor (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Rotarians honour ex-Mayor

8:03pm Friday 4th July 2008

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ROTARIANS bestowed one of their rarest honours on former Winchester mayor, Cllr Chris Pines.

He was presented with the organisation's community service award last Sunday (June 29).

It is the fourth time in 80 years that Winchester Rotary Club has presented the accolade.

It was last given to Marigold Paul in 1995 for starting the Winchester Stroke Club. The previous recipients were Jean Rogers, a Stanmore lollipop lady, and Ros Townsend from Teg Down, who worked in nursing.

Cllr Pines received the award for his community work, especially with youngsters.

He taught at Winnall Primary School for more than 30 years, and since retiring in 2004, he is now a governor. He also chairs the Winnall Rock School, and helped to lead a play scheme in Highcliffe.

A Winchester City Council member since 1980, he was mayor during the 2007/08 municipal year. Before leaving office in May, he helped to raise £40,000 for good causes.

After receiving the award, Cllr Pines said: "I was totally shocked and it was a total surprise to me and I didn't know they'd planned to present it, or even that an award like it existed.

"It is very gratifying to receive it, but I'm sure that many other people apart from me would have deserved it more than I do."

The award was presented by outgoing Winchester Rotary Club president, Colin Cook, who is being succeeded by John Eade.

The ceremony took place at a Celebration of Youth staged by the organisation at the Theatre Royal, Winchester.

The event raised £2,5000 and featured a performance by teenage magician, Ben Farrar, from Compton.

During Mr Cook's year as president, Winchester Rotary Club raised £15,000 for homelessness charity, Emmaus Hampshire.

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