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Chairman's Review Another half year has passed and I trust that you would agree with me that the Club is in good heart thanks to you, the members. Sadly, we have witnessed the passing of one of our longest standing members, namely Dennis McCarthy and also Michael Martin whom we shall all miss; Raymond Durrant has decided that he had to leave. On the bright side no fewer than four new members have already been ‘badged’, namely Mike Foers, Peter Cullens, Charles Davies and Doug Whittaker with Tony Savage to come. Our lunches continue to be well attended and I should like to thank Peter Fletcher for stepping in as Catering Officer, following the retirement of our past President John Parkes. Through no fault of our own we find ourselves double booked at Ashwell House on July 14 and I trust that our removal to the Quality Hotel at London Road on that occasion will be seen as a viable opportunity rather than an unwanted ‘holiday’ elsewhere. At least those whose appetites prefer a two-course lunch rather than three will be able to ‘taste the difference’. Our coffee mornings at Ashwell House have continued to attract a few more members than usual and I would commend them to you as an opportunity to meet and chat with a wider membership than is possible at the monthly lunch. There is no charge! I should like to thank Michael Welling for his eclectic programme of speakers. St Albans Movie Makers, Colin Smart’s View of Jamaica, Dr Jill Singer’s ‘Kingsbury Manor Uncovered’, Tony Owens on Alaska and Mrs Anne Thomas on ‘The Life and Times of Sherlock Holmes have provided excellent after lunch interest and entertainment. One of the features which marks the Club out from others is the busy programme of events. A highlight this year has been the visit in February to the Brick Lane Music Hall, ably organised by Rob Weston. Those who went voted it an unequivocal success and are looking forward to a return visit in due course. Despite Rob’s retirement as Assistant Treasurer, it is hoped that he will find sufficient energy to assist with that venture. So too, Ken Smith’s June trip to the Sandham War Memorial, full of Stanley Spencer’s original murals followed by a visit to The Vine NT house and garden near Basingstoke was highly enjoyable. In May the annual Spring Break was held in Llandudno, North Wales. The Dunoon Hotel was excellent, the weather unusually kind, a nearly new Tates coach expertly driven by Steve Jones and a daily programme which seemed to please those participating resulted in a resounding vote of confidence, indeed a demand for the small team of Tony Woodhouse, Rob Weston, Ron Verran, Jim Walker, Ron Taylor and yours truly to try again in Harrogate next year. For a more poetic report on the trip see elsewhere. Our past president Colin Smart has nobly offered to assist Tony Woodhouse and Ryland Clendon in organising further enjoyable rambles, culminating in pub lunches and these are much appreciated by an increasing number of walkers. Events Co-ordinator Peter Fells, Barbecue organiser Ron Verran and mentor cum newsletter producer Peter Warren and many others are to be thanked for their valued contributions in running the Club, one which, in essence, is as good as the sum of its parts. Long may it continue! John Rolfe Chairman. |