A couple of things encourage me to think we’re generally on the right lines. Firstly, unless unavoidable circumstances intervene, we tend not to lose members – in fact we’ve gained a fair few this year. That’s good news. Secondly, the great bulk of our existing committee members have voluntarily expressed a willingness to continue on committee in their present posts – yes, we’re actually enjoying serving the Society. We’ve even had requests from members to join the committee and that’s been unheard of over a long number of years. This is good because new committee members bring new ideas and new impetus and ensure there is continuity in the running of the club. From the President’s point of view, having a strong and willing team on committee makes the job so easy. So, my thanks go to the best bunch in the business for giving up their valuable time to help make sure we keep NCPS on a roll. I won’t mention individual names just now, but you know who you are. I should also thank those non-committee members who work behind the scenes – making the tea, stacking the chairs and so on. Stuart Forbes is just one name that springs to mind but there are many others.

Of course we’re aware that we don’t get everything right. We’re still conscious of the fact that the digital workshops should be working better for us – by gaining us more permanent members. I think we all know that the quality and overall appeal of these meetings has been a bit up and down. A recent show of hands suggested more people would prefer a set programme comprising items for new and inexperienced Photoshoppers as well as more advanced topics. We’ll do our best to work something out over the summer months. As always, any contributions will be gratefully received. We also had the slight trauma of having to change venue for the digital nights part way through the season due to the increasing “noises off” and difficult parking at the Community Centre. Fortunately we’ve secured a very satisfactory alternative at the HG Bowling & Tennis Club where we’re now established on the first Tuesday of the month – mainly thanks to Roy Cheetham’s initiative. Richard and others also looked out for us locally, but the Hazel Grove venue seems the ideal choice.

As we heard from the earlier reports, the past season has seen a quite a few plusses. Financially the club is on a sound footing. We should be able to upgrade our hardware and software to a high standard – particularly as a means to improving digital projection to meet the ever-more discerning standards in competitions, internal and external. Watch this space.

We can be inspired by the successes of some of our more recent recruits – the likes of Phil Riley, Slideworker of the Year and Barry Pearson, Printworker and Clubman of the Year. Didn’t they do well. They’re also enjoying recognition outside the Society, together with the likes of Alan Saunders, Geoff Robinson, Jon Alanson, Dorothy Redford and to a much lesser extent, your current President. We’ve all had acceptances or certificates or even medals in external national and international exhibitions. (Hope I haven’t left anyone out). It all adds to the prestige of this Society.

The Exhibition made a good contribution to the finances as well as being an impressive showcase of members’ work. I’d like to congratulate again everyone involved in the Exhibition – and that includes just about everyone in the Society.

As Chief Co-ordinator Chadband will confirm – that’s the secret of its success.

Plus - our publicity is in good hands.

Again, the social programme and summer outings remain one of North Cheshire’s real strengths.

We have an excellent newsletter and a well-maintained website which is expanding and becoming ever more useful and relevant. More people seem willing to contribute these days, but there’s even greater scope for this now, and an increasing desire that contributions to Focus and the website be forthcoming from a much wider range of members. Have your say – be controversial!

Anyway, I think we can be confident that this historically strong Society will continue to supply the resources to help us all enjoy and improve our photography over the coming years. But in the final analysis, just what we get out of our membership here depends on us as individuals. The more we put in, the more we get out – an old cliché I know, but you will find that participating in the competitions and in the social activities and even involving yourself directly in the club’s affairs will all further your enjoyment of the hobby.

I could go on but I think you’ve had enough. Suffice to say that I’m honoured to be permitted a second term as President of North Cheshire Photographic Society - and with your help we should be able to hand over an even stronger club to President –Elect, Roger Dye, in 2008.