On Monday 26th of January, the club held it's 24th Charity Dinner Boxing Evening at the Chiltern hotel. Luton. This is a major event in our club's calendar and once again was a truly excellent occasion.

Staged jointly by Jack Sapsworth and Brian Noblett, head coach of Lewsey Amateur Boxing club, the night raised the terrific sum of £8,500 which will be donated to the Pasque Hospices and other local charities.

The evening was a complete sell-out, with a seated black tie audience of 175 from local companies, who generously sponsored all eleven bouts, Rotarians and friends of Rotary.

Brian brought together this ongoing event in conjunction with the Royal Navy sponsored ABA Schools Championships Home Counties Finals, 2009.

The seated audience was joined after dinner by some 115 supporters of those displaying their skills and this added to the competitive, charged atmosphere.

Much effort and training goes in to these Championships each year and the final representatives are a glowing testimony to the skills of the sport and the desire to maintain physical fitness. As well as members from the Lewsey Club, we were entertained by boxers from as far afield as Oxford, Slough, Cheshunt , Hoddesdon, Bushey and Watford . In the presence of many ABA officials the eleven bout event was both exciting and skilful and displayed Olympic prospects in the making.

As well as Jack and Brian, our thanks are due to Frank Hamel, Peter Collins, Chris Stokoe and the many other members who worked hard to make this event the great success that it was.

We are also indebted to Ian Richards who, for the second year, made a very entertaining compere for both the boxing evening and the subsequent auction. Our thanks also go to the Chiltern Hotel for the excellent venue and catering

Paul Harris Fellowship

At the Boxing evening, President John spoke earnestly when he had the honour to present Brian Noblett with a  Paul Harris Fellowship, Rotary's highest award, for his involvement with the club over the last twenty-four years. This was only the second time that an award of this magnitude has been made by Luton Rotary Club to a deserving member of the community. Who knows, perhaps we can persuade Brian to arrange the twenty-fifth event as he approaches his eightieth birthday!

Congratulations, Brian, it is a well deserved award.