Photograph: John enjoys a chat with fellow Rotary Club of Wigan member. After 60 years with Rotary, John has many great tales to tell.
Possibly one of Britain’s longest-serving Rotarians, John Miller, is celebrating his 60 years of Rotary membership, with his wife Margaret, both members of Wigan Rotary. John Miller, PH,F joined Wigan Rotary in October 1951. Now aged 92, John has many stories to tell and continues to have a positive impact within his local community.
After receiving his long service certificate, John, told members that he was very honoured to be a member and that he has many happy memories. Describing himself as ‘lucky John’ he went on to say how fortunate he had been to meet his wife Margaret and to become involved in such a wonderful organisation like Rotary, which has provided great friendships and a social life, plus the huge satisfaction of raising money for many worthy causes.
Fundraising has taken the couple to many parts of the country, sometimes dressed in Victorian costumes and accompanied by a street organ with which to entertain passers-by.
Born in Ipswich, John met Margaret when they were at college in Cambridge. They were married on Boxing Day 1942, the same day he received his call-up papers, and so within that week he had joined the Fleet Air Arm.
Before the war, John had been a Post Office Telephone Engineer but on being de-mobbed, the couple moved up to Wigan where he was offered a job in his new father-in-law’s family business, Heaton’s Menswear in Pemberton. He was in that business for 38 years, retiring in 1984.
For many years he served Rotary as Assistant Secretary and sat on several committees. No one can even wildly guess how many tens of thousands of pounds he has helped to raise for the Wigan Club, nor even how many local charities have benefited, since he was first invited to join in 1951. President John Walls said: "John’s record of attendance is unique in the Wigan Club, and is unlikely to be emulated in coming years. We look forward to him receiving further awards and calling on his knowledge and experience, which is freely given".
