Chairman's Report Spring 2007

Welcome to all members both existing and new to the RMSA in 2007. Looking back at 2006 it was a mixed year, the organised events proved popular and were well supported, both to Oxford and in particular the trip to Exmouth, where the river boat trip was welcome if only because it was a relief  from the hot coach (for which Rover have apologised and rectified the air conditioning fault, we did not require the services of “air con” for the Short Break).

I felt quite at home as I moored my boat at Starcross for a good number of years and enjoyed revisiting the area. The Short Break to Norwich was enjoyed by all those taking part, it was good to see some new faces. Coach trips to Sandringham, the Broads, and Kings Lynn, etc. were more than interesting although just out of season. David did his usual trick with the weather.  Keep it up David for this year’s events.

At the time of writing,  all the events are not firmed up, but they will consist of 2 day trips, the Christmas Lunch. The Short Break to Scotland has been changed because David and others had received very poor comments on the various hotels we had looked at, also the cost of this trip was very high. Your committee debated for quite a time on this, so we are (we hope) off to Harrogate, details of which will appear elsewhere in this newsletter.

Talking of the lunch we were most pleased to welcome Iain Gray and Barbara Ward as our guests, they have done a lot to help us during the year and we hope they will be able to do so in the future. The lunch itself was good, our thanks to BAWA for their usual efforts to make it a success. We also invited Martin Lang for his help in organising the Families Day, but he was unwell so not able to attend.

During the year we lost some members that meant much to us for various reasons, but I suppose that is what we have to expect at our time of life. It does not make it any easier, and we can but thank them for being with us and giving us the benefit of their company.

As I write this Esme and I are preparing for our what is becoming our annual cruise, I shall rely on your committee members to ensure the Spring Newsletter is on time with the AGM information. This time we are flying to Mombasa then cruise to the Maldives & Seychelles ending up in Dubai for 4 days, the total time being about one month, so I shall be back in time for the AGM, hope to see you all there.    

Frank Webb