A Tavistock Rotary Club member has been awarded a special certificate to mark 40 years of service to the community.

Robin Wilson was presented with his certificate by rotary president Nigel Ellis at the Bedford Hotel last Monday evening.

Nigel said: ‘Robin epitomises the ethos of Rotary which is ‘service above self’. He has done this consistently within his profession and his long membership of Tavistock Rotary. He continues to this day to actively support fundraising for our local community.’

Robin served people in the local community and surrounding areas as a GP for many years.

Robin said: ‘I am indebted to local businessman David Reece for introducing me to Rotary forty years ago. Then I enjoyed an hour of sanity and banter at lunch meetings on what were otherwise ‘Manic Mondays’. About then Rotarians started the attempt to eradicate polio worldwide. The huge task has other partners now – it has taken a lot longer than hoped, but we think that we are almost there!’

The majority of projects undertaken by the Rotary club have always had a hyper-local focus and members pride themselves on developing solid friendships when working closely together, crediting the social aspect that teamwork accords. They meet every Monday at 6pm at the Bedford Hotel where they sit down for a meal. Everyone is welcome to apply to join them.

The Tavistock rotarians will be helping a local resident with their garden in the coming weeks and are looking forward to a charity golf day in May.