A Message from our Chairman

Dear Norfolk Members,
What a surprise to find myself in post as Norfolk Centre’s second Lady Chair. Thank you for the privilege. I will try to do it justice (although my shortbread will never be up to the first Lady Chair’s standards!)
I have been a Norfolk Centre member off and on (mostly on) since 1982 when my late father, Ron Howlett (Chairman 2003/2005) introduced me to the Norfolk Centre. (I hope he would approve of the way things are being run now!)
I would like to thank Tracey Sewell for relieving me of the Secretary’s post in order that I could take on the Chair, and Graham Sewell for offering to take on the post of Vice Chairman. They have already given their support freely, for which I am very grateful. Of course, I should also thank my husband Malcolm, who is our Equipment Officer, for his unstinting support.
Our Centre celebrates its 50th birthday in 2022 and we will be holding a rally to celebrate. The committee have already been working hard to make this event a memorable one. Our new Secretary and Vice Chair have found us a new venue which I am sure you will all enjoy. More details to follow soon…
Rally Secretary, Ian Lindsay, has put together a varied programme this year, with new rallies on the list as well as lots of old favourites. My sincere thanks go to Ian for coordinating the programme once again. If any of you have ideas for new rallies, new sites or would like to run a rally yourself, please do speak to Ian, or any of the committee members, and you will be given all the support you need. We were all beginners once!
When it comes to the paperwork, our Treasurer, Kristian Preston, is very approachable and my sincere thanks go to Kristian for keeping our finances in good order.
However, Kristian has decided he will stand down as our Treasurer at the 2022 A.G.M. so, if you, or someone you know, likes to “number crunch”, please do get in touch with Kristian to see what is involved. Unless the three posts of Chair, Treasurer and Secretary are filled, we cannot run the centre, so do give this opportunity some serious thought. Thank you.
You may notice that the “National/Clubfest” at Belvoir Castle is not included in our list. This is because it is already full although I believe there may be a waiting list in operation. Please check CAMC’s website.
I’d like to mention two more committee members who work behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly. Dom Zagni who ably organises the ordering of plaques now that we are allowed to have them once more and Daphne Skinner for her skilful marketing of the Centre embroidered clothing. Thank you both.
It looks as though Covid, in some form, will remain with us for the foreseeable future, so do keep up the mask wearing, hand sanitising, ventilation, and vaccination to help keep everyone safe.
Visitors to the Norfolk Centre are always made welcome and I would recommend the Natter ‘n’ Chatter, an informal afternoon at East Tuddenham Jubilee Hall on Sunday 27th February, 2022 for members, especially new ones, to find out what we get up to!
Malcolm and I are looking forward to meeting up with friends, old and new, on the rally field during the year.
Best wishes, Shirley