The members gave the committee an enthusiastic reception, congratulating them on their achievements over the past year, in particular the new look newsletter, which was launched by Hazel Roethenbaugh our new Welfare Officer, in December last year. Regular coffee mornings and bi-monthly Branch Meetings are also now the norm and much appreciated by the members who attend.

The officers and committee were all re-elected, with one new committee member, Ian Burns.

William Davis, Branch Support Officer and Lindsay Goward, the Regional Support Coordinator, were our guests for the evening and entertained us with a “double act” talk on the diversity of branches throughout the country. The committee were particularly pleased to receive a letter from William after the event congratulating us on a very successful meeting 
Quote from William Davis - Branch Support Officer…….“The branch is very clearly focused and effective, but equally important has a very friendly and human feel, a credit to all of you”……..

At the first committee meeting after the AGM, Eddy Roethenbaugh was elected Deputy Chairman.

"....The committee started their new year at a low ebb following the very low turnout at last years AGM. The committee very nearly folded later in the year when two members resigned and we found it very difficult to meet the constitutional requirements. But with the help of our National Centre we soldiered on, I took on the role of Welfare Officer as well as Chairman.

In September we were fortunate to gain two new committee members Hazel Roethenbaugh and Norman Brooks.

The National Centre arranged a Work Smarter Not Harder Day at the Leisure Centre in November. Three committee members Hazel, Pam and myself attended the seminar. Comparing ourselves to other Branches in some areas we felt good but in most we felt really low. I must admit I came away from that day thinking “why are we bothering”, well at that stage I did not know Hazel very well!

From that day we decided that our biggest fault was that we had no dedicated phone line and that our newsletter was dismal, it didn’t grab peoples attention.

*We now have our 24-hour service Welfare Helpline*

*Our newsletter I believe, is 100% improved.*

We also have our own email address and website for which we owe a big thanks to our Editor.

At this stage I decided there were enough committee members for me to relinquish the post of Welfare Officer, the committee elected Hazel with me taking on the role of Welfare Assistant, and we haven’t looked back.

Pam represents not only the Branch but also the region on several committees such as the MS Referral Committee and Beta Interferon Review. She also acts as the facilitator of courses organised by the Society.

Sandra has been busy, she has attended a Treasurers Seminar as the accounts get more complicated every year. She is always busy organising our tombola and raffles and making sure we make the most of what money we have got in the bank.

At the beginning of the year we gained another two committee members Mary Burke and Eddy Roethenbaugh and I feel that this committee is now the best we have had for a long time. We are working well together and have formed a strong team.

We haven’t finished there, we have still a lot to achieve

Peter said to me ‘What’s changed? I used to do two or three flag days, now I’m walking 10 miles, I’m abseiling, I’m sailing what's next?’

Well folks – we are changing, and not just your committee. We want you to change, come along to Branch meetings and coffee mornings if you can, partake in as many of the activities we arrange as you are able to, and if you want us to arrange something then let us know. We have already been able to arrange individual special days for our members, trips to the theatre and football matches at Chelsea and Arsenal.

The committee is looking forward to the next year, it is not going to be easy, there is going to be a lot of hard work and for this we need your support, attending the meetings and helping with fund raising if you can. Remember fund raising is an important part of Branch activities, without it we cannot provide the service and assistance that Branch Members deserve.

So here’s to the next twelve months."

Sue Filby