The Rotary Club of Bolsover has awarded Janet Woodhead the highly prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship, which is the highest individual award given by Rotary throughout the world. It is given in recognition of service to others and is justly deserved by Janet for voluntary work over the years serving the community of Bolsover.
Over the years she has been involved with the Allotment Association, Bolsover in Bloom, Lantern Parade /Christmas Festival, Bolsover Civic Society, Freedom Project, Bolsover Hill Race, The Gala, and has served as both a Town Councillor and school governor.
Congratulating Janet on her outstanding contribution President Rita Reed said “when putting up a marque Janet was there, when planting a basket Janet was there, when organising an event Janet was there, when selling tickets Janet was there, when litter picking Janet was there – she doesn’t talk things she does them”. New for Janet has been her recent involvement with the Freedom Project offering support to people with reading difficulties, a reflection of her kind and caring character.
Many of Janet’s friends and family were at the presentation ceremony to add their thanks to this remarkable woman.
Apart from joining a long list of alumni who are Fellows Janet is the first female non-Rotarian to hold the title in the Bolsover area. She joins internationally renowned personalities Mother Teresa, President Jimmy Carter, UN Sec Gen Perez de Cuellar and astronaut Jim Lovell, who have all been made Paul Harris Fellows.
Paul Harris was the founder of the Rotary International organisation in 1905. Rotary has some 1.2m members worldwide, all stemming from the vision which became the Rotary ethos, of Service Above Self. Rotary is an organisation focused on communities, so it was very fitting that having worked alongside Janet for many years in the community of Bolsover, the Club recognises her hard work and commitment in this way.