Dear Members,
Welcome to our Winter Newsletter. I am excited to be standing in as your chair. Hopefully you are all keeping well and have been enjoying the lovely autumn colours. The dark evenings are not so enjoyable but, I always think, after the 20th December, it starts to get slightly lighter.
As you know, Geoff stood down as our Chair on health grounds; this led to me becoming Chair until the AGM. I would like to thank Geoff for his time as Chair and we are all pleased to see him back among us, with improving health. I also thank the committee for their extra care and help at this time, and especially now, when Allan is having treatment. Special thanks also to Nicola Harding for stepping up as Vice Chair.
With Geoff leaving the committee and Allan not well, we need new members on the committee; we only meet four times a year and communicate on WhatsApp: David Peckett has brought us into the 21st Century including the excellent and helpful website, which you have obviously found since you are reading this on it! Please let me know if you are interested in joining us; it would be a great help if we had a few more members on the committee.
Looking forward to next year, we will have three winter/spring lectures and the AGM, all at Holy Trinity, Ripon, and March and April lunches at The Inn South Stainley, with a welcoming room and excellent food. Unfortunately, since we chose this venue costs have risen. It is a shame because it is a good choice and on the 36-bus route. I do hope you can still come along and support us. Next year we have arranged some other events that I’m sure you will enjoy – more details will in the next newsletter and hinted at on the website!
We’ve had a really good up-take on the coach holiday in June to Northumberland – having a coach at our disposal will be a real treat. There are a few places available if you are still thinking about it.
Hopefully we will be able to catch up at Nidd Hall on 4th December, either morning or afternoon, places still available. This only leaves me to say a Very Happy Christmas to you all, please enjoy the season and keep fit and healthy as we go into a Happy and Healthy New Year.
– Helen Stalker