Most of our members will have been aware that Basil Eastwood was standing down from the Chair at the start of this year.  I am honoured to be taking on this role and shall do my very best to continue Basil’s excellent work for the Trust.  We all know just how much he has achieved, and, as we thank him for that, we can be glad that he has agreed to become our Development Officer and will continue as a member of the Trust Council.

I was pleased to meet a good many members at last summer’s Annual Meeting, and I shall look forward to meeting more of you in the course of this year.

The more I learn about the Trust, the more I appreciate the strength and breadth of the support it has across the county – support which goes well beyond our formal membership.  A good example can be found in last year’s Ride and Stride.  Around 450 people took part, many others helped with the organisation, and we shall exceed the total amount raised in 2016.  Please accept my congratulations and thanks, and do note this year’s Ride and Stride date, 8th September, and pray for good weather.

We are close to completing our plans for this year’s programme of events, and I’ll be writing with the details in my March Members’ Newsletter.  Anyone with ideas or time to offer to further our work is always welcome to write to me at [email protected].

With my best wishes

Stephen Goss