On Monday 22^nd March, the Rotary Club of Church Wilne welcomed former MP Geoff Hoon as its guest speaker. Geoff gave an interesting and informative talk on his career.

Geoff is the son of a railway man and was educated at Nottingham High School. He was a keen sportsman at school and had a passion for history having been taught by David Peters who also taught former M. P. Ken Clarke who Geoff described as the greatest leader the conservative party never had. Geoff studied at Jesus College Cambridge graduating in Law after which he became a Lecturer in Law at Leeds University during which time, he took a deep interest in European Law and visited many European legal institutions such as the European Court.

From the age of seventeen Geoff was aware that he needed to acquire confidence to speak publicly if he was going to advance his career. He subsequently observed at University that those students who had attended Harrow or Eton schools already possessed the inner confidence which he felt he needed to acquire. He left lecturing and undertook pupillage to qualify as a Barrister, something he had wanted to do for some years and was called to the Bar, setting up chambers in Nottingham. His first criminal case was at Ilkeston Magistrates Court.

Geoff's career in politics started in 1984 when he was elected as an M.E.P. for Derbyshire in The European Parliament. He served in Brussels and Strasbourg. In 1992 he was elected to the House of Commons as the labour MP for Ashfield. Geoff has held numerous ministerial positions not least as Secretary of State for Defence in Tony Blair's government, which involved him in the war on terror. He held this position for six years, the second longest serving Minister of State for Defence. Geoff's last government position was as Secretary of State for Transport.

Geoff left politics in 2010 since when he has had various interests including being a Trustee of the charity responsible for Twycross Zoo.

It was kind of Geoff to join us and give his time talking to us about his very interesting career. Vote of thanks was given by Rotarian Ken Austin.

If you wish to know more about the Church Wilne Rotary and how the members aim to make a difference in the local community of for more information on Rotary, our speaker evenings, events and the main activities organised by our club please contact our Secretary, David Hewitt at: rccw1220@gmail.com

Rotarian Derek Sheehy-Smith
For Church Wilne Rotary