Lichfield Branch

Chairman’s Report

Since the last edition of Lichfield Lines we have well and truly experienced the British winter. It seems to be either cold and frosty or wet and windy. As I write another cold spell is being forecast for this week. This rather restricts boating to the hardy (or foolish?) but I hope spring is not too far away and we can get back to enjoying the waterways in better weather.

Just before our Christmas Dinner (see article p6) we received the sad news that Doreen Wood had passed away. Despite this Eric still joined us for the dinner and had an enjoyable meal. There was a full church for Doreen’s funeral and she was given a good send off. I had not realised she had served in the WRENS during the war and was therefore given the honour of a flag over the coffin and a military bugler to play the last post and reveille. A moving moment. There is a brief obituary on p14.

The Branch has been busy since the last edition with walks and meetings and as well as our normal longer walks we have restarted our short strolls (thanks Neil). See Forthcoming Events for details of the next one. We also have an interesting selection of meetings until April. And walks will continue through the year.

We are planning to hold a fund raising Lock Wind in August, details will be announced at a later date. The last one raised a good sum of money for the Branch and an enjoyable day was had by all who took part.

As was mentioned in the previous edition I will be standing down from the committee and hence the Chairman/Secretary roles at the AGM in March. I would like to thank everybody who has supported me, both committee and membership, over the past two and a half years and I am sure the Branch will continue to be successful under “new management”. This is not goodbye as I will be continuing to edit Lichfield Lines and the website and produce posters.

All the Best