This has been a good year for the club, though we started badly, when the Summer Social trip to Birmingham was cancelled at short notice. We have, of course, rearranged it for August 13th this year. Two speakers cancelled, but as in previous years, the club member's rallied around and filled in for us.

External events were limited to the skittles evening, which once again was a great success.

Our membership has been maintained this year at 33, a very creditable result in the light of recent years. We continue to attract new members, and I have to thank you all for that, but we also continue to lose people for a variety of reasons. The level of involvement at club meetings remains high at just over 20. It is very encouraging to see this sort of level continue.

Our financial position continues to be strong and after the adjustments to subscriptions from last year our income is more in balance with our expenses.

Next Season Social Events

The Summer Social will be the 'day trip' to Birmingham on Wednesday 13th August, taking in both a handling session at the Birmingham Museum and a trip to Matthew Boulton's house. We will be rerunning the skittles evening. The most important event over the coming year will be a celebration of the Club's 40th anniversary. The exact form of the celebration is still under consideration, though one part of it is likely to be a trip to the Royal Mint.

Thanks

I want to start by thanking our President, Frank who continues to make things happen 'behind the scenes' as well as his more visual support on Auction evenings. I wish to thank our vice presidents, Dave and Tim for all their work at meetings and our auditor Neil.

I want to thank all my fellow committee members, without whom there would be no club. Especially so this year when several personal tragedies in my own life have meant that I've had to delegate more than usual. We will be losing two members this year. Maurice has to stand down under the five year rule, but in any case would have found it very difficult to continue following his recent house move. Our finances have been in very safe hands over the last five years, thanks to the hard work put in by Maurice. In addition, his enthusiasm for the club and his involvement in the various club activities over the years has set a very high standard for any club member to follow. We will still be seeing him 'in action' on auction nights. Thank you Maurice. Two years ago when Mark died, John was good enough to stand for the committee at very short notice and has continued since then in charge of publicity. John always has a great number of calls on his time and the point has been reached, in common with many members I have spoken to, of not being able to commit the time for committee duties and so he is standing down. Thank you John.