The Immediate Past President's remarks for 2024

It is safe to say that this has been yet another successful year for our Club. Membership has remained relatively stable, and we have maintained our tradition of having an interesting and often thought provoking speaker or presentation every month. These have covered topics such as the history of Alderley Edge, Operation Surgeon in the second World war and a fascinating insight into that of the White Star Line by one of our own members Phillip Clarke. We have also heard about life as a member of the Black and White Minstrels, been thoroughly entertained by stories of humour in the law and been treated to a demonstration of the painting technique of Bob Ross.

We have also continued to have regular social events starting with a Beetle Drive in January and encompassing visits to the Plaza Theatre, a railway trip and an evening listening to the Proms on the Pitch, and participating in the Buxton Crescent Experience.

There were however two highlights for me first the Presidents Day following which thanks to your generosity the Club were able to present a cheque for the magnificent sum of £1000 to the Rossendale Trust.

The second highlight was the weekend away in Northumberland to watch the Kynren show and make a couple of visits during our journey.

Thank you to everyone who helped to make them happen.

This Club has been fortunate in being able to rely on the support of our wives, partners, and friends, not only at our events but in helping run our meetings and functions. Even if we do not always show it, that support is very much appreciated.

Inevitably we have also had our share of sadness. Over the year we have lost several members including our friend and colleague Ian Morrison, all of them will be sadly missed.

On the other hand, we gained several new members which is why l was able to say at the beginning that our numbers were stable.

So now as we prepare to invest a new President l would like to say thank you to those who have supported me over the past year. The Committee Chairmen and their members without whose hard work there would be no activities, no social events, no speakers, and no meetings. In fact, the Club would cease to function.

There are however two people I should like to thank personally, our Treasurer John Egerton who is stepping down after several years in office to earn a well-deserved rest and most of all to David Potts who has been the Club Secretary over many years and who not only kept the members informed but provided help and guidance to several Presidents and whose good humour and encyclopaedic knowledge certainly made my period in Office much easier. Thank you, and John David, for everything.

There is little left to say. In a short while the Club will have a new President and under his guidance l know that the Club continue to thrive.

Tony Graves