If it’s not too late, welcome to 2017 and the Society’s full programme, as shown on the back page of this edition. For the first time, in a number of years, we had a Society talk at the Pound Arts Centre in January, moving the annual lunch to February 24th, this, we hope, will become a regular pattern for future years. Again, we thank Negley Harte for the 2017 programme of talks and proposed visits, such a variety of topics to be enjoyed.
On a sad note, at the January meeting, we remembered the life and work of Sally Fletcher who passed away in December 2016 at the age of 72 years. Sally had been an active member of the Society and had served for a number of years as Secretary, her loss to the community in Corsham and the surrounding area will indeed be great. Further thoughts about Sally’s life appear on page 5.
At the February Executive Committee meeting Pat Whalley announced that she would be retiring from the committee at May’s AGM. May I take this opportunity of thanking Pat for nearly 40 years work for the Society taking on, at various time, the role as Secretary (twice), committee member, editor of ‘Spotlight’ and an active participant in the planning of the Heritage Open Days. A few years ago we made Pat an Honorary Vice President of the Society, a reward justly deserved, so now all that it remains for me to do is again to say, Pat, thank so much for all your hard work over the years, your smile, witty comments and a thorough knowledge of how things work will certainly be missed at the bi-monthly committee meetings.
Thinking ahead to May’s Annual General meeting on Friday, the 19th at the Town Hall commencing at 7.15pm, we will be looking for new members of the Executive Committee, so if you are interested in joining that body of people, do let me know in advance. I am quite willing to stand again as Chairman for the next 12 months, but I shall definitely be retiring from that post in May 2018 as I will have completed 9 years in that post and I think it’s time for me to take a rest and let someone else head up this Society and lead it forward for the next few years.
Michael Rumsey
From the Chairman, March 2017
