Chairman's Report Summer 2007

On our return from a cruise we found a welcome home e-mail from a member who had been on the same ship, we did not meet on the ship, but it shows that at least one member reads the report in the newsletter.

I replied by e-mail hoping to see him at the AGM and it would be at least one member present. We did meet and exchanged thoughts on the cruise.

There was more than one member present, but not up to our usual numbers. In an attempt to have some more interest in the election of committee members we decided this year not to nominate the retiring members en-bloc, but to have proposals from the floor. That was a dismal failure and in the end a committee member had to propose the retiring members en-bloc or I think we would still be there to-day.

It is a great disappointment for the committee that so little enthusiasm is shown by members to the affairs of the association, and in particular to the election of committee members. An appeal for some "younger" members on the committee did produce some response, and I am hopeful that we can make something of it. However, the AGM was not altogether a failure as the talk given by Bob Kenney was one of the most interesting, perhaps to the Aircraft members, as I am sure they had no idea of the involvement and extent of what we used to know as "Guided Weapons"... an eye opener. Our thanks go to Bob for an interesting and most informative talk, we all hope it can be repeated.

The day trip to Chelsea went off very well despite a chilly start, Bill has covered it in detail later in the newsletter, we now look forward to the Weymouth day out on July 4th let us hope that the weather is as good as has been promised, but you all know what promises are, we rely more on David with his "contacts".

The Short Break also is beginning to loom on the horizon, planned for the 24th to the 28th of September.

This year is going quicker than ever, or so it seems to me; more so when you are enjoying yourself.

Frank Webb