THE Rotary 1280 District conference returned to the Villa Marina, Douglas, at the weekend.
The conference was attended by about 400 visiting delegates who were officially welcomed to the Isle of Man by Chief Minister Tony Brown MHK. The event was attended by Rotary International British Isles President Jim Moulson.
The 1280 District covers a geographical area from the plains of Cheshire, through the industrial part of Lancashire and Greater Manchester to the moors of Saddleworth and the Isle of Man.
There are five Rotary clubs in the Island - Douglas Rotary Club, Rushen and Western Man Rotary Club, Ramsey Rotary Club, Onchan Rotary Club and Douglas Bay Rotary Club.
Members from all Island clubs attended the event and helped in the local administration.
Douglas Bay Rotary Club won a special award for the club with the greatest number of members attending.
The conference has been held in the Island on two previous occasions - in 2000 and in 2005 - and Isle of Man Tourism have been assisted by past District Governor, Island resident Harry Pease, who this year was presented with his second Paul Harris Fellowship, named after the founder of the Rotary organisation.
It is very rare that a Rotarian is awarded more than one Fellowship and it is testimony to the high regard Mr Pease is held within the organisation.
Geoff Corkish MHK said: "I am very pleased to see the return of the Rotary 1280 conference to the Isle of Man which is proof positive that the Island has the facilities, quality and range of accommodation to hold this prestigious event.
"I would also like to congratulate Harry Pease on his remarkable achievement and express my thanks for the assistance he has given Isle of Man over the years – it is with his help we have managed to secure a number of Rotary conferences."
Mr Pease was also awarded by the then Isle of Man Department of Tourism and Leisure with the Outstanding Contribution to Tourism award in 2009 in recognition of his contribution.
The conference programme featured a presentation on Youth Projects in the Isle of Man by Ged Power.
Delegates were entertained in the evening by the Rushen Silver Band and Meadowside Choir on the Friday evening, the Calor Gas Ceili Band and Perree Bane Dancers on Saturday evening and renowned Island personality Dot Tilbury bade them farewell at the end of the conference on Sunday.
