ILKLEY Rotary Club has appointed the first female president in its 73-year history.

Sandy Dalby made history when she took the reins of the Ilkley club at its official handover meeting last week.

Mrs Dalby succeeds Geoffrey Maldwyn Jones, whose year in office has seen a lot of activity from the club.

As well as numerous donations to good causes locally and overseas, the club welcomed many speakers and honoured the work of four stalwarts with Paul Harris Fellowships – awards given by Rotary International for outstanding community and club service over many years.

The recipients, Vincent Dobson, Desmond Longfellow, John Metcalf and Thelma Pacsoo (Inner Wheel Past President), were presented with citations and medallions.

The club meets at 12.30pm every Tuesday at The Craiglands Hotel.