Purley Rotary Appoints First Female President

Purley Rotary Club is this week celebrating the taking-up of office of its first female President in its near 100-year history.

Pam Tibbles, who joined Purley Rotary in 2015, took over from Frank Hardiman on Monday (1st July). She says: ‘I am tremendously honoured to be appointed the club’s first female President since it was formed in 1923 and look forward to building on our excellent service to communities – local, national and international.’

After getting married and bringing up her family, Pam switching from general nurse training to qualify as a psychiatric nurse and was Director of Nursing Practice for the Bethlem Royal and Maudsley Hospitals when she retired. What she loves about Rotary is ‘like minds wanting to do things for others, enjoying fun and good friendship and fellowship’. She is also a member of Purley Rotary’s ‘sister’ organisation, the Inner Wheel of Purley.

She looks forward to ‘re-energising’ Rotary in Purley, with an emphasis on good communication and teamwork, and is keen to encourage more women to join. She has already chosen two of her three nominated charities for her presidential year: MIND in Croydon and the Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation and will decide the third shortly. She will also be involved in identifying and planning projects to celebrate Purley Rotary’s centenary in 2023.

Meanwhile, Frank Hardiman, who was club President in 2008-09 as well as 2018-19, has become Assistant Governor responsible for the 12 Rotary clubs in the South Area, including Purley. He is already working on bringing back the popular Classic Car Fun Day in 2020.

Like Pam, Frank also worked for the Bethlem Royal and Maudsley Hospitals before leaving as Director of Education and Training to co-found Laurel Mental Health Services in Croydon, then retiring fully in 2008 to pursue a career in aviation. A qualified pilot and instructor, he is an active member of the International Fellowship of Flying Rotarians and the Paul Harris Society supporting End Polio Now. He loves attending Rotary events around the world and strongly feels his life is blessed to be part of the worldwide ‘Rotary family’.

Puyrley BID would like to thank Frank Hardiman for his hard work and dedication as President and wish him well in his new position as Assistant Governor. We congratulate and welcome Pam and look forward to working together.