I am sitting at my desk on the last day of January mulling over what to say when the words “here we go” come into mind. This prompts what’s left of my memory to drift on to the Status Quo song, “Rockin’ all over the World”.
“Oh, here we are and here we are and here we go
All aboard and we're hittin' the road”
This is quite true for three of us who are indeed hittin’ the road very shortly. As you know it is AGM time, which this year signals a change in the Area 22 management team. Ray Wilkins and Mike Parsons are stepping down as Assistant Reps; I am moving on to do something different within the Club, but Nicky ploughs on for a second year holding it all together and looking after the pennies. Before I go any further, I should like to say a huge thank you to the team for creating a very successful 2025 programme which I think has been thoroughly enjoyed by all the members. I have attached the calendar for February. I know it looks bleak .. the new team is on the job!
So, what of the future. We have gone through the election process as required by the Club which has produced a terrific team to provide a terrific programme for 2026. The names will be announced at the AGM and I ask the members to raise their hands in unanimous support. This will give them the confidence to continue the work of Area 22.
Personally, I am moving on the chair the UK Membership Committee reporting to the Membership Director, Mike Bradly Russell. I shall be assisted by Leigh Arnold, currently the Rep for Area 11 and Glenn Lickfold, a long-time member of the Club. All committees need someone to “glue” it together and I am delighted to say that Nicky Denney has accepted this responsibility. Our purpose is to provide support to the UK Area Rep network and so I am looking forward to a very busy period ahead.
Much planning has gone into the AGM and we have a record attendance. I was looking forward to handing over to my successor and enjoying a great evening. This has been completely scuppered by a relative of mine in France who has suddenly left to push up daises requiring Sandra and I at short notice to journey down towards the Dordogne to say farewell. But there is always a silver lining … I shall wake up the DB11 from its slumbers and give it a good poke down the autoroutes de France!!.
On that note I shall bid you farewell and thank you one and all for being so supportive over the past few years. See you at the March meeting where I shall listen intently as the Area Rep extols the plan for the next few months … “mine’s a pint .. thank you!”
Andrew