As Novus Rotary members and guests sat down to their Christmas meal at the Stilton Cheese Inn at Somerby on General Election night, it did not need an exit poll to reveal that everyone present was unanimously saddened that it would be, for most, the last chance to see Mai Tsumura before she returns to Japan.
Mai arrived in Leicester in September 2018 to do research for her MPhil at Leicester University’s School of English Literature. Since then she has attended most of the weekly meetings of Leicester Novus Rotary and has helped the club on numerous occasions.
She has been a delightful companion, a good friend to Novus and a superb ambassador for the Rotary Club of Nishinomiya-Ebisu, in District 2680 which sponsored her.
“We will be very sad to see you go,” Novus President Maya Vansia said, handing to Mai cards and gifts at the meal.
The good news is that Mai will return to Leicester in 2020 to take part in her Viva — the oral part of her examination. We look forward to seeing her again.
Last edited: Midnight on General Election night, 2019
