At our AGM, we thanked Richard Oliver for his work over the last two years as Programme Secretary. Mike Coombes anticipated his taking over and is already able to report some attractive talks for next year – see Future Programme.. A modest increase in subs was also agreed. Our steadily more successful effort to spread news of our meetings bears fruit and needs to continue. We were happy to welcome four new members this year - Dave Bossom, Charles and Irene Milne and Dave Reeves, back after an absence.

Our summer programme includes the gathering of members’ yachts to be held this year at the Royal Southampton Yacht Club’s delightful club-house at Gins Farm on the Beaulieu River on Saturday 5th June. We hope for more yachts this year and also that other members will use the convenience of a mainland location to join the party. I’m yacht-less for the first time in 35 years and hope to spend the day beforehand in the New Forest. Maybe we’ll see you there? There’s talk also of a gathering later in the year, maybe on the Medina River going up to The Folly or at Port Solent.

Our coach trip is after all likely to be to Portsmouth now we learn that Bristol’s Industrial Museum which was the other attraction after “The Great Britain” is still not open after several years refurbishment.

My yacht-less state arises from the success of our web-site as an advertising medium and the ensuing sale of “Aliand”. The first enquiry was from Galway! So I commend it to you. But not just from my perspective; do browse through it every now and again. There’s almost always something new and interesting.

Here’s to a real summer, this year!

Bob Dyer