She said; “We have a super group of people, very relaxed and easy going, who all get on well and I’m very much enjoying my year as president.”

Among a variety of activities this year, members of the club have acted as marshalls for a local athletics’ club event, had a sponsored bag pack at Whitby Co-op in aid of local charities and provided a barbecue for a Whitby old folks’ centre.

They also helped the Sisters at Sneaton Castle with their flower festival and organised an art festival in conjunction with Northern Rail at Whitby railway station.

Previous president Mike Murphy said the Endeavour branch of Rotary was started more than two years ago with the intention of including women members.

In some areas, women members have a separate section known as the Inner Wheel but Anne said she believes there is a place for both groups in Rotary.

During the remainder of Anne’s term of office the group plan to hold a construction and technology tournament at Whitby Pavilion with schoolchildren and a Thanks for Life Day in aid of eradicating polio in India and Africa.

The Rotary organisation began in America in 1905 and has its headquarters in Chicago.