Club Meeting 8th December 2025">Club Meeting 8th December 2025

The President introduced Club member Clem Dury to talk on the subject of Ebenezer Scrooge. In a highly entertaining and amusing talk Clem gave us an alternative view of the famous Dickens character. According to Clem’s interpretation Scrooge was a much maligned and misunderstood man which was shown in how Dickens’ described the character in “A Christmas Carol”. We were taken through Scrooge’s childhood and early adulthood and his relationships with his father and sister, plus his failed betrothal to Belle. This was followed by details of his business and partnership with Jacob Marley.

Throughout this introduction Clem gave us an alternative view of Scrooge as a party loving, careful, but for the times, a rather generous employer having to manage a rather incompetent and lazy employee in Bob Cratchit.

Clem continued by describing the visitations of the ghost of Jacob Marley followed by the Spirits of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Yet to Come which transformed Scrooge. He became a totally different person, and out of character began to throw his money away to charities and other so called needy people, placing his business at great risk. However, as Clem told us he soon came to his senses and returned to a more balanced basis. At the end of Clem’s excellent seasonal talk we were all convinced that he had transformed our view of Ebenezer Scrooge.

President Graham gave the vote of thanks congratulating Clem on a brilliant talk, confirmed by the members with a resounding round of applause.

The President reminded members that the Rotary Carol Service will be held at St. George’s Church, Upper Cam at 7.30 on Wednesday 10th December. All are welcome.