It was nice to see a good turn out for the AGM. There was plenty of discussion and on various topics too. One of them was about the Dinner and Cabaret and how the service was lacking in comparison to Dinners past. Your President and I have started looking at other hotels to see what they can offer for a busy evening of food fun and frivolity. We are pencilled in at the Midland again although this may change according to our findings. One we've already checked out is Oakwood Hall Hotel, Bingley. We were very impressed with the layout of the place and feel it would be a nice place to hold our Dinner. Over at the top of the M606 is the Hanover International Hotel, part of the Cedar Court chain of hotels. I know that would be perfect from a different event I had attended there. Melvyn and I are hoping to pop across there before you come to read this. We are hoping to also check out the Bankfield Hotel, Bingley. The one in Skipton that Mark Waddington spoke is probably a bit far out of Bradford. However he did offer a venue and I have to say the sarcastic remarks he received were if nothing else a bit unfair. It gives little encouragement to our younger and newer members to attend such functions. The absence of the gavel was commented upon at the AGM. I forgot it. It was one of many things I had to remember to bring with me and slipped my mind. Not an excuse, just an explanation. There were more immediately important things to remember, but the gavel shouldn't be forgotten so I offer my apologies to the Circle. Eric Slicer has agreed to become custodian of the gavel. Finally, I'm sure everyone who watched Melvyn's opening address after the break saw the effort and humour put into it. I think it's fair to say, with Melvyn in office, it's going to be a fun year. | 
