The Anniversary of VE Day could not be celebrated in the ways that Horwich and so many Clubs had planned. But that did not mean that this momentous event was not recognised and commemorated.

So many shared in the two minutes silence followed by Winston Churchill's famous "This is your Victory" speech on TV in the afternoon. The Queen then addressed the nation in the evening emphasising the way many gave so much for so many and that we should never give up: never despair – “our streets are not empty; they are filled with the love and the care that we have for each other.”

Horwich’s 75th Charter Night on the day before had to cancelled postponing the presentation by President Gary Parker of two new Paul Harris Fellows, Tom Mather and Phil Jones.

Before joining Horwich in 2010 Tom was an effective senior manager in the aerospace industry. He has always been an enthusiastic member of the Club serving as Club President and member of Club Council for several years. In recent years he very efficiently organised the bar staff for the Horwich Beer Festival. Recently in a similar way he has organised the Christmas float. He is vice chair of the International Committee.

Phil Jones in his professional life was involved in the Ambulance Service and then wider risk management in the community. He took a significant role in managing the response of Police, Fire and Ambulance as senior Ambulance Officer following the 1996 IRA Bombing in Manchester and then reviewing services which helped when the emergency services had to cope with the Manchester Arena Bombing in 2017. Phil joined Horwich Club in 2015 having previously being a member of Bolton Daybreak where he had been President. He became Horwich’s Secretary in 2016 as well as Safety and Compliance Officer. He has been an active and invaluable member of the Club attending all four committees and contributing to their activities. He has been secretary of the Bolton Cluster of Rotary Clubs for the past few years. He was a member of the District Foundation Committee in 2016 and is a regular attender at the District Council representing the Club.

Both Tom and Phil have demonstrated eminently ‘service above self’ very appropriately for the 75th anniversary of the Horwich club and the VE Day anniversary.