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S kAL INTERNATIONAL PENDLE    No.565.

International Association of Travel and Tourism Professionals

Founded 1934

 

       PRESIDENT                                                      SECRETARY                                                                   TREASURER

Michael Churnside                                                                  Doreen Rawstron                                                                   Susan Mortimer

 

 

JANUARY 2010 NEWSLETTER

                                                                       

     At last we have escaped!!   January 16th saw the Rawstron’s car leave the starting ‘ice’ blocks and make its way to its destination, Burnley and retail therapy.   It’s as well we had a practice run as the club’s Annual General Meeting was in the frame for the 18th and Patricia Bullough was due to be met at Todmorden railway station on that very day so it was more than the therapy that necessitated the advance to the main road.

     January is not a good month to hold a meeting – warmer climes beckon, weather forecasts were generally gloomy and in spite of the free supper the gathering was slightly down on the previous year.   Our treasurer had escaped to the Antibes and knowing that she was drinking a toast to our welfare en-route in Hong Kong we endeavoured to make light of her treasurer’s report.

   However, before we reached that point President Michael Churnside welcomed members and gave his report for the year followed by reports from Secretary Doreen, Membership Hilda Gosling and reports from National meetings that had been attended.

     Doreen giving Susan’s financial report, on behalf of her, came as no surprise to those present as two extra payments had had to be made to National during the year and although these had not been passed onto members, the club could not longer defray the extra rise in subscriptions.      Obviously these had effected the club’s bank balance so careful budgeting had to be the order of the day for the year 2010/11

    However, Patricia Bullough did sterling work in collecting the increased subscriptions from those present but not alas from Beryl Towne and Kate Skaife who reluctantly had sent in their resignations – Beryl due to work commitments and Kate the problems of travelling from York to the monthly meetings.   We shall miss their company but hopefully we will continue to keep in touch with them.

     The club had made a donation to the Melbourne Fire Disaster Appeal and had purchased shares in the ‘200 club’ but whilst not successful in winning this, club members had managed to do well.   The annual North Sea Ferry Trip just about made it with twelve travellers visiting Bruges, staying in Ann Lootens’ ‘Hotel Portinari’ –  Ann being Vice-President of Skal International Council and President of Belgium Coast and Vlaanderen, proving yet again that it is good to do business between friends.    From all accounts the group were well looked after, a Pendle pennant was exchanged by Skalleagues Susan Mortimer and David Hirst and a weekend enjoyed by all.

   

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      Nominations were received with proposers and seconders for Michael to continue for a second term of office as President and also Robin Pycock to continue as Vice-President.   Hilda Gosling takes on the mantle as 2nd Vice President and although the vacant post on the council was not filled all offices have been filled and we have a vibrant and enthusiastic Council in place.

      The programme for the year 2010/11 has been worked on and is in place and hopefully should appeal to our members.   The first meeting of the year, on Monday, 8th February will take place at Holden Wood Antiques Centre on Grane Road, Haslingden where we will celebrate a belated Burns Night with Haggis, Neeps and Tatties.   We make a return visit to this venue because those who travelled there last year found that there was so much to look at and not enough time to do it justice.   The venue has no drinks licence so you can take your own ‘tipple’ according to your taste.   The price is £11.50 for Skalleagues and £12 for guests, the starting time being 7.30 for 8p.m.

     Please continue to keep our website up-to-date with information regarding your business or leisure pursuits.   I know that Martin Cleaver visited Stuttgart, Patricia Bullough was in Budapest for the International Congress and there must be a photograph of David and Susan exchanging pennants in Brugge?   Please submit a report if you have the time to Martin Cleaver.

     Enclosed with this newsletter is a remittance form for subscriptions which I hope you will return on receipt.   I will need to send the club’s membership renewals to National Treasurer, David Goddard before the 5th February so there is not much time left.   Leaving it until the February meeting will be too late and you will incur a penalty fine from the club which will have to be passed onto the National Treasurer.   Please do your best. 

     Please let me know if you intend coming along on the 8th February by the 3rd so that I can inform Holden Wood of numbers attending.   You can either telephone me on 1706 876950

or email:   doreen.rawstron@lineone.net.   

      In conclusion, President Michael looks forward to meeting up with you in Haslingden for our first meeting of this year. There is no need to wear tartan trews, a kilt or even recite Robbie Burns but nobody is going to stop you if you wish to bring along the bottle of ‘Scottish wine’.

 

    

Yours in Skal,

Doreen A. Rawstron

 

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