Home The Society Archives 2006 AGM Chairman

Chairman

Sadly, I have to report the death of Roy Harding in February of this year. Roy was a valued member of the Society and the Executive Committee. He will be greatly missed for his quiet and valuable support on a whole range of matters. Our thoughts and sympathies are with his wife Yvette and family. Apart from this great set back, the past year can, I think, be best described as largely successful in all departments, although other epithets like challenging, busy, complicated and frustrating might also be fitted in to last year’s work. We have been very fortunate in finding an Honorary Secretary. Martin Blunkell joins us after a very successful career in the services and commerce. He is now welcome to have a good look at our organisation and bring his experience to our activities. 2005 began for us with a loaded ‘in tray’ in the planning department. Important local and national issues demanded our attention and these are described in more detail in the review of planning. Draft regional and local plans and planning applications kept the planning committee totally absorbed (perhaps overwhelmed). Most of this work will be carried forward into 2006. Our history group has met regularly and produced a full and interesting programme of workshop meetings and lectures including a river cruise, town walks, workshops covering a variety of subjects including studies of the Borlase School frontage in West Street, the Lee Antoine Archives, Non-Conformism in Marlow, the history of the Taban Society in Budapest, and visits to Nuffield Place and the local history museum at Milestones, Basingstoke. A full programme has been arranged for 2006 which you should keep under review. Our other events last year, arranged by Ann Irvine, included a tea party at Thamesfield House by courtesy of John Fontannaz, illustrated talks by John Harrison on Complexities of Visual Images, on Horatio Nelson by David Williams, a nature study - a Walk on the Wild Side by Brian Clews and, of course, participation in the (very wet) Late Night Shopping event where we hosted the town Healthcheck group. Ann has arranged a full programme for 2006 but is now taking over as Membership Secretary, leaving David Steele more time to deal with the river and river planning matters. This leaves us with the important post of Events Organiser to fill to establish a programme of social and other events for 2007. If any member would like to take on this interesting job on the Executive Committee please contact me or any Executive member urgently. With no member in this job our events programme will be greatly reduced next year. Our River Thames Group developed its connections in the past year and now has a working dialogue with the Environment Agency, The River Thames Society, The Chiltern Society and river user organisations such as RUG 6. The Society has joined the newly established Thames Alliance, which we hope will develop into a useful pro-active body. This year saw the launch of the Environment’s ‘Thames Waterway Plan’ into which the group had a significant input. The group, along with the RTS, has serious concerns about the causes of flooding and flood defences along the river and the lack of importance being given to ‘ground’ as distinct from ‘fluvial’ water in flood risk assessments. This is thought to be particularly relevant to such schemes as the proposed Pound Lane bund in Marlow. It is also pressing for more significance to be given to the Thames and the Thames corridor in future planning. Under the Chairmanship of David Steele I predict an active 2006. I must thank the entire Executive for a sterling job done in 2005. For the work of Peter Welch who keeps our accounts in such good, clear order, for Geoff Wood’s work in interpreting the new Licensing Regulations and their future consequences which he continues to monitor, for the work of John Bushby for developing our website to such a high standard and which I hope will provide much improved communication with our members and, of course Jane Savidge our editor who works her socks off producing a newsletter of such quality four times a year that has become a popular local affairs journal. The members of our Planning and Environment Committee – Derek Done, David Steele, Mike Overall and Bob Savidge who can look forward to a very active year when more big issues will arise that will affect our town and on which your views are important and valued. Finally, I am delighted to report that following the sad loss of our president, Anthony Wethered, last year, we have asked Sir Keith Stuart to become our president in 2007. Sir Keith who lives in Marlow and is very well known locally, has agreed to take on the task and we look forward to having the benefit of his wealth of experience, guidance and advice. Ron Waters