A New Decade of Walking - A Message from the Chairman

A very Happy New Year to you all, with many interesting and enjoyable rambles to come in 2010.

The past year, as in previous years, was excellent in every way - thanks once again to Dave and Val who compile the walks programmes, walk leaders who submit the various walks, and to everybody’s participation in them. My thanks also to all Committee members for their contribution over the year.

Once again our ‘co-operative’ Social Committee did us proud. Since I last reported to you all we had the ‘40’s - ‘70’s Disco. This was a good evening with between 40 and 50 people attending, and the decibels were not too high!! Thankyou Gill. Then we had the Christmas Lunch at the Darenth Valley Golf Club. This I thought was a great success. It was a superb meal, with excellent service and great surroundings. I’m sure everybody enjoyed it immensely - we should go there again! My grateful thanks go to Chris and the Social Committee for organising a wonderful event. We’re also looking forward to the Quiz evening in April, and the Bournemouth weekend in May.

At our group AGM in November, about 60 members were present, which is a healthy number for a group of our size. We got through the agenda fairly quickly as usual, until the item ‘Election of Officers’ was reached. Three Committee Members stood down: our Secretary Joyce, Minutes Secretary Janet, and Publicity Officer Bill. Our thanks go to them all for their dedicated service during their time in office. There were no nominations for these positions and I thought we were in trouble! Fortunately two volunteers stepped forward - Liz to take the Secretary’s post, and Maureen to take on the position of Minutes Secretary.  I’m extremely grateful to both of them - without their commitment the  group  would  have  had difficulty in functioning. Thanks again to both of you! We’re still left with no Publicity Officer; if anybody would like to volunteer please get in touch with me.

Finally I would like to mention the health of Norman, who is quite unwell. He was admitted to Darent Valley Hospital for exploratory surgery before Christmas, and is awaiting results. I’ve phoned him since and will keep in touch; I told him we all wish him well.

 Once again all the best for 2010,

                                                    Your Chairman,

                                                                          George