On the lighter side of the function:
GSE Chair Mervyn Davies said that – two ways you can make people happy, once you come & second when you go out!!!
We all had a big laugh.

I concluded my speech:

Rotarians’ commitment to ‘international understanding and peace’ is what distinguishes Rotary from all other service clubs‘.
When we read the newspapers most mornings the headlines scream that this is: A SORRY, BLOODY WORLD. We see Hate,War and Intolerance.

Our service organization has a mission: To achieve world understanding and peace (through our educational, humanitarian and cultural programs).

And so The Fourth object was to become the engine that drives Rotary’s international service. It has become the watchword of the Rotary Foundation. All the marvellous international service programs in which we participate can be traced to the Fourth Object – Youth exchange, Group Study Exchange, World Community Service Projects, Scholarships, Health Hunger and Humanity Projects, matching grants, peace forums and the magnificent Polio Plus program.

We are accomplishing world understanding and peace through Our Rotary Foundation Programs. Rotarians do make a difference.

‘I would like to thank you, our host families and fellow Rotarians for the countless acts of everyday kindness that have made us feel so welcome here in England/Wales. Each one of you can take pride in knowing that you are very directly spreading peace, friendship, and goodwill through Rotary.

With each new day in UK, my team members and I were overawed with respect, understanding, and enthusiasm for UK and its people.

By your commitment to putting service above self, you can take pride in knowing that your generosity and involvement in this Rotary Group Study Exchange is strengthening each of our resolves to become lifelong ambassadors of goodwill for UK and its people.’