WHITCHURCH Rotary Club’s new president has taken to the water to kick off his new year, with the group’s annual boat trips.

Parties from care centres and schools, carers organisations, young people’s clubs, people with learning difficulties and special needs, were taken on outings along the Llangollen Canal from the Whitchurch Arm to Grindley Brook Lock near the Shropshire-Cheshire border.

Eight morning, afternoon and evening sailings were skippered and crewed by 14 Rotarians, helped by friends and family, who hosted eight outings over five days on board the Lyneal Trust’s ‘Shropshire Lady’.

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Seeing them off was Whitchurch Rotary’s president for the coming year, David Ryder, who admitted his delight in kicking off his year in office with a trip he says is one of the best parts of the job.

 “It’s one of the most rewarding projects that we do,” he said.

“The outings give vulnerable people, of all ages, a chance to forget their worries, relax on the canal and even take opportunities to steer the narrowboat and use a windlass to raise the hydraulically operated lift bridge at New Mills.

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“We are ever grateful for the support of the Lyneal Trust canal boat holiday charity that makes it all possible.”

David, born a cockney, joined Rotary 25 years ago after moving from London to work as a solicitor in Shropshire.

He is an active environmentalist, amateur actor, football and cricket fan.