As the bells rang out to welcome 2022, phones of Erimus rotary members lit up with congratulatory messages for their President Alan Clifton (pictured attached)). The news which had brought so much pleasure was that Alan had been awarded an MBE in the New Year’s honours list. Starting out as a PE teacher Alan has spent much of his career supporting the education of disadvantaged children including nine years as the Virtual School Head for North Yorkshire ensuring that children in care or unable to attend normal schooling receive a good education. Alan was the first Chair of the National Association of Virtual School Heads and continues to support this very specialised and equally necessary branch of education.
The award to Alan brings to four the number of national honours within the club and Founding President Walter Pattison, himself holder of an MBE spoke of the club’s pride at this latest recognition “Rotary’s motto is “Service above Self” and these honours display how well all members of our club seek to live up to that ambition”.
