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From the Chair
The first thing I want to do is to hand out a big thank you to Howard Bennett and May Bumford for their efforts in making the 2011 Green Plaque awards happen. May organised the Planning Approval to install the three plaques in listed buildings and Howard was responsible for the logistics of designing the plaques through to their unveiling. Without their efforts the Green Plaque scheme would not have happened. The Guinness Heritage Partnership President, the Marchioness of Douro, unveiled the first plaque, at the Railway Station, on the 13th September. The Railway Station fully deserved the award, as the quality of the restoration is superb. The Station has been resurrected from dereliction and now provides affordable housing to buy or rent, together with some office space for small start-up businesses. On the 14th October, Alderman Chris Carter, the Mayor of Gosport, unveiled the other two plaques: the first at the Superintendent’s House, and the second at the Granary and Bakery, both in Clarence Yard. These two buildings also richly deserve recognition for the quality of their restoration. The date of the14th October was chosen, as on that date in 1844 Queen Victoria and King Louis Phillipe of France took their lunch in the Superintendent’s House. Your Committee is now looking to its members for nominations for Green Plaque awards for 2012; please see Howard Bennett’s instructions on how to do this on page 5 below.
Once again, Brian and Doreen must be thanked for organising the very successful Summer Social Event at the Alverstoke Parish Centre and the Society Dinner at Lee- on-the Solent Golf Club. Just to remind you, the New Year Social Event is being held at the Parish Centre on Saturday the 14th January. Please contact Brian for a ticket for what I know will be a very enjoyable evening. Brian is also taking bookings for the visit to Bristol on the 9th June 2012. If you want to add your name to the list and avoid disappointment, please book soon.
Sadly. Brian has told the Committee that he wants to hand on his responsibility as Social Secretary after the planned visit to Bristol in June next year. His decision, after so many years as our Social Secretary, will leave a big hole in the behind-the- scenes workings of the Society and he will be greatly missed, but I understand and respect his decision not to stand for re-election at next year’s AGM. If we are to continue to have a social programme, which includes the evening talks, coach trips and the Summer and New Year Social events, a replacement must be found. Will one of our members please, please consider offering to take on Brian’s role On the subject of new blood on the Committee. Sue Read has also told me she would like to hand over the job of Secretary and her husband David would also like to hand over the job of Marketing Manager. It would be ideal if replacements are found in time for consideration at next year’s AGM. So again please, please will volunteers for these two key jobs come forward? It must be realised that Committee members cannot be expected to soldier on forever and other members of the Society must be willing to volunteer to join the Committee to take on the key roles of Secretary, Social Secretary and Marketing Manager. If volunteers are not forthcoming, the Society will not be able to function and this would be sad after being in existence for over 40 years . Roger Mawby
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