Merry Christmas & a happy new year
Looking back to the start of this season, it is wonderful to see how quickly we have learned to live with Covid and to get back to a normal programme. Thursday evenings are well attended, our Special Interest groups have been very active, we have a strong list of new members and, unlike some of our neighbours, we have participated fully in the inter-club competitions. Indeed, we have so many entries for the forthcoming 2nd Advanced PDI competition that, regrettably, we have been obliged to restrict each person to two images.
None of this recovery happened by accident, so I want to use this Christmas newsletter to pay tribute to the many people who have worked behind the scenes to make it happen. My thanks go first to the Selection Committee, whose work is largely invisible to most of us. I have been allowed into a couple of their meetings and have seen at first-hand how much time, expertise and dedication goes into their deliberations, so thank you Peter Rocchiccioli and team.
We are very fortunate to have our Special Interest groups, which are one of the things which distinguish us from other clubs. But they require a significant commitment from the group leaders and their helpers. Many thanks to them and to all our post-holders. That’s our treasurer and our competition, event, exhibition, publicity and membership secretaries, who devote a lot of time to helping the rest of us indulge in our hobby.
Then there are those who help with catering, the raffles, the setting-up and dismantling of tables and chairs and the mentors of new members. Plus those who represent us on outside bodies. And of course, my fellow members of the Management Committee. Thank you all.
My special thanks go to our Vice Chair, Sue Nash, who has covered for my several absences with great aplomb.
Reminders: our first plenary meeting will be on Thursday 5th January; the PAGB Group will meet on Monday 9th and the Print Group on the 10th January.
A very happy Christmas to you all and best wishes for the new year.