Guest speaker at The Rotary Club of Tenby's dinner meeting this month was one of the club's new members, Rotarian Mark Hunter.

Mark, a registered mental nurse, joined the Tenby club last year having moved to Pentlepoir with his family following a new post as an NHS management trainer at Carmarthen, moving from Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth, where he specialised in old age mental health services.

Rotarians occasionally address their colleagues with a 'job talk', which introduces their careers and background to their fellow members. These talks are always very enjoyable and informative and Mark's talk did not disappoint.

Mark, you could say, was born into a psychiatric career as both his mother and father were psychiatric nurses at St. George's Hospital in Northumberland, where the family lived in a staff cottage in the grounds. The hospital was a very large place that encompassed sports pitches, a farm, nature walks as well as the hospital buildings and Mark was used to interacting with the patients, especially at times like the summer school holidays.

In 1860, the hospital had 600 patients. But now, like many similar establishments, it is closed down, with the buildings fenced off and falling into disrepair. It must have been a very intimidating building as Mark recalled that many 'Hammer House of Horror' movies were filmed there, including Dracula and so on.

Mark followed a career in psychiatry leading to his appointment at Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth and it was here that he became involved in the Ceredigion Crossroads 'Caring for carers' charity, set-up in conjunction with the Crossroads Soap Opera when the carers of wheelchair-bound character 'Sandy' where found to be in need of a break only to find that no help was available at the time. The Crossroads charity, (which is still going strong), was set-up and Mark served many years both as vice-chairman and chairman of the charity.

At the end of his talk, Mark spoke of his involvement with a local community interest company in Pembrokeshire. The MAM's CIC is supporting women in their role as mothers and offering therapeutic support to them in local groups.

Following his much enjoyed and informative talk, president-elect of the Tenby club Rotarian Nigel Ayers gave Mark a sincere vote of thanks and all members showed their appreciation with a warm round of applause.

The Tenby club was fortunate in attracting six new members last year, but would be delighted to welcome more, if you are interested you can learn more about the club at their website http://www.tenby.rotary1150.org">www.tenby.rotary1150.org and you can contact the club to express your interest at [email protected]">[email protected]

Alternatively, you can also phone Rotarian Richard Ormond on (01834) 844243.

The club is now very busy making the final plans for their summer events to be held at Tenby Harbour on Sundays, August 4 and 18. Further information on the events can be seen at the club's website and will be publicised in the press shortly. The club's Twitter account is also going from strength to strength attracting followers from all over the world. You can also join in and follow the club who use the tag @tenbyrotaryclub