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CLUB WEB Site: http://www.btinternet.com/~ray.howells/srcc/srcchome.htm

Dear Members,

Another year, another AGM, my 10th and last as Secretary. I hope we get a good turnout, as this is a barometer of the health of the club and endorsement of the work the committee does.

This piece has been added by Ray Howells following the top secret G8TB 80th Birthday celebration that was held on Sunday 28th March at the "Old Whitgiftian Club House", South Croydon. This was a very successful event that the youthful Bernie had no knowledge about so thank you everybody for achieving this. His face was a picture when he entered the room to be met by some 70 faces, consisting of members of family, table tennis club and SRCC friends. He was speechless and clearly overwhelmed but made up for it with his speech and the reading of a poem from the Sutton Model Engineering Club. The club presented Bernie with a set of special tumblers and a bottle of his favourite tipple, Bells whisky. A fuller report, and some pictures, will appear in the next Newsletter but in the meantime may I, on behalf of all Club members, congratulate Bernie on reaching this great landmark. Here's to many more.

Formal notice of this ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING was given in the last newsletter. This will be held on 12th April at the club-room, 7.30 for 8pm. Enclosed herewith are copies of the minutes of the last AGM and also of the accounts, please bring them along, as they have to be accepted. At the end of this newsletter is the AGENDA and also a nomination form for proposing members for the 1999/2000 committee. The acceptance of the nominee must be obtained and the form must be in the hands of the committee prior to the Chairman opening the meeting. The committee consists of the Secretary (to be separately nominated) and seven members. The names of nominees will be displayed on the blackboard before the meeting. The Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Treasurer will be selected from the seven elected members.

THIS PROBABLY IS, OR SHOULD BE, THE MOST IMPORTANT MEETING OF THE YEAR, so please make an effort to attend even if you are not normally able to get along to other club meetings. This is your opportunity to elect your committee, we have some nominations but more are always welcome. Also you will be able to find out how the club has been operating during the past year, to scrutinise the accounts, and to express your views regards meetings, contests, outings etc which does help the committee to plan ahead. It would be nice to have more nominations and some young blood would not come amiss. As I have mentioned before after ten years as secretary I will not be standing for this office, though I am prepared to stay on the committee if elected. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the committee for their hard work, for Graham G3RJW as Chairman and dinner organiser, for Maurice G4DDY and Prim G4CCY as treasurers and other duties, and particularly for Ray G4FFY for the help he has given me in the printing of the newsletters.

 Peter G3ZPB also has helped in many ways and he has put in a lot of time with GB7SRC. David GOPAR, Kevin G6LTK and Roger G4WAY also have done much to make the club run smoothly as it has done over the past 64 years. I should also like to place on record my thanks for the hospitality Prim G4CCY has shown us hosting the committee meetings.

At the last AGM it was agreed to end financial years on the 31st January and this will be reflected in the accounts you will be asked to accept. This accounting period change has distorted the true financial position, which will be corrected when the next accounts are presented for 1999/00.

Despite the fact that the numbers attending did not match the overflow meetings we have had in the past, and there were some familiar faces missing, it ended up as very successful, and the club benefited by over £60. We started off with offering members gear and in fact we still have a fair amount of donated gear that we did not reach as time beat us. As usual it was not possible to guess what items would fetch, some went for very high prices and some could not be given away. Those who did not attend missed some excellent bargains. Committee has spent some time considering if we should give members a fixed time, and also if members should help to sell their own lots, but it is probably best to follow our tried system. Our thanks to Maurice G4DDY for assisting me out front and for Peter G3ZPB and Ray G4FFY for keeping the accounts in apple-pie-order.

* Due to Easter please note that the April "B" meeting will be a week later than you might think... .now on the 26th. The committee meeting will be on 20th April.

We have had notice that they are holding a Radio Fair on Saturday 24th April at St Johns Church Hall, Sylvan Road, Upper Norwood, 5E19 2AD at which their members and visitors from other local clubs will be provided with an opportunity to sell their surplus equipment. Tables will cost £5.00 and the entrance fee is 5Op. The hall will be open for traders from 9.3Oam and for the public from 10.30 to 1pm. Anyone wishing to hire a table should send a cheque as soon as possible to V.H.Johnston G1PKS 14 Auckland Close, 5E19 2DA or phone him on 0181 653 2946.

As I have mentioned before the SRCC and G5BZ are re-dedicating this cup to be presented by the RSGB to the winners of the Mix and Match section of VHF NFD. This is at present being organised, having it engraved and also having a Trophy case fabricated. You will see a short notice of this in March RADCOM on page 12. We are hoping to have it on show at the AGM.

As mentioned previously we have decided to organise a visit to Bletchley Park, the home of WW2 code breakers. We are planning to join with CATS who are also planning that day, Sunday 16th MAY. We require to know urgently WHO WILL BE ABLE TO COME, so please let me know. If sufficient can come we may be able to arrange the hire of a coach if this is economical. The other option would be to use one's own transport and meet at the venue, there is ample parking facilities. We suggest we take a picnic lunch. I have started a list and already have several names so please let me know at a meeting or telephone 0181-660 7517

 PACKET RADIO GB7SRC.

Peter Burton G3ZPB has for the last ten years or so spent a lot of time and money keeping GB7SRG operational. The time has come when it is no longer viable so it is with regret that Peter has decided that as from this Easter GB7SRC will no longer be operational. All the users are very indebted to Peter for all his efforts but what with E-Mail and Internet its usefulness has been superseded. I suppose this is another sign that the interest in Amateur Radio is slowly declining.

You will have seen from the "Dates for your diaries" that this date has been brought forward to 5th July... for two reasons. Hopefully the weather will be better than we have had in the past. Secondly the AUGUST meeting is going to be on the Croydon Tramlink. Traditionally the August meeting has been of a non-amateur theme; some of us remember the talks G2YL gave us on her travels. So at the August meeting, and in view of the nature of the talk, we are extending an open invitation to the XYLs, and friends so let's make this a family outing. This meeting should be of interest to all in the North Surrey area.

This is taking place on the 24th April to celebrate the birth of Marconi, and is organised by the Cornish Radio Amateur Club. Participating stations can work on all HF bands plus 2 meters. The Cornish RAC are offering a special award for all those who work IMD station. For details contact Robin GOMYR on 01209 820118. See page 13 March Radcom.

Tho' not secretary, I will still be collecting stamps for this worthy cause so keep on sending them in. Friends and groups are still sending me packets, which are very welcome, and I thank those who filled the latest packet from the Lansdown Road Group.

I have just heard that Ron G3ODE has been presented with a grandson Jack. He has some way to catch up Arthur G3YRB who tells me he has six grandchildren and six great grandchildren with more on the way.

By the time you receive this newsletter the dinner will be a past memory. We had hoped to our young Alf Philp there as a visitor, but that was not to be as he did not feel up to it, anyway we wish him a speedy recovery. Another member who wasn't able to attend was Ron Glaisher G6LX who also is poorly and under the doctor and I'm sure all members wish him a quick recovery and back to his usual bouncing self.

This will be my last newsletter but you won't be able to get rid of me that easily, as I hope to be active in the club for some time yet. I would like to thank all of you who have helped me, and not forgetting those outside the committee who have sent in articles and information to make up these newsletters. I hope that you will continue to feed the new secretary with news whoever he may be. I also trust that you will be able to attend the AGM and I hope to see you there.

88 Es 73

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