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President’s Message - December 2006

News › President’s Message - December 2006

by Tony Daly

My one-year reign as your president is now approaching the final furlong. It has indeed been a long haul in which, I believe, we have righted the listing, financial boat, in which we found ourselves. As this issue of Crossfire is planned to coincide with the December meeting (more postal savings!), it is important to charge the new Committee with keeping these ideals in place and give them your full support. Wholeheartedly, I would like to wish the new President and Committee well. Details of the AGM were announced at the last meeting and circulated with the December meeting notice. If anyone should wish to put themselves forward to be considered for office now and for the future, then this is the time to do so. My best wishes go to Marjorie Ward who is standing down as our membership secretary.

The highlight of my short tenure was undoubtedly the visit of Doug Scott in October. The meeting was held at the British Library and was a rare treat and indeed, privilege, for us all to hear such a fine talk in one of the great seats of learning. I had hoped that we would have received a more favourable response from the other historical societies we invited. However, 'there's nowt as queer as folk', as they say. We have in the past offered our support in manning a stand at the events of other organisations and paid for the privilege, so I was somewhat disappointed to receive a note from one group, declining our invitation and citing one of the reasons as being that we would be asking others to pay an entry fee! I shan't mention names, as this might appear to be a rant, but I will consider spending my time (and money) elsewhere, in future. To those who did offer their support, 'thank you', I hope you had as good a day as the rest of us. There will always be a seat for you at our meetings.

A new job is going to take me away from a good deal of the committee affairs in the near future, but I would urge you to come forward to help. I am retuning to the benches but my knowledge and expertise will be there to support whenever I can. There are a number of you who DO have the time to give. You know who you are and as I have always reminded you: it's YOUR round table.

January will see a new president and what better way could you show him your support than to attend the Robert E Lee weekend at the end of that month? It isn't too late to consider it or give a thought to this year's annual tour - Verdun. Those of you who attended the 50th anniversary gathering, or who have enjoyed our away days and trips to Europe will be well aware of the sheer fun we have had. Whatever your Civil War interest, there will be another member who will share it. I know I am not the only one who has made lasting friendships and have hugely enjoyable memories along with fellow members; long may they remain with us.

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