A Happy New Year to you all, this is my last report as your secretary as I did not stand again for re-election at the AGM.

Our AGM and 80^th Anniversary was held on November 17^th when our Chairman Mrs Sandra Cheeseman welcomed Club and Branch members to the meeting. Our president Mrs Mary Ellis gave her address and thanked Officers and Committee for all their hard work in keeping the Women's Section running.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved followed by the secretary's report which dealt with the activities of the branch over the last twelve months. Mrs Eileen McAuliffe our treasurer gave her audited statement of accounts prepared once again by Mr Doug Moore.
Our Chairman's address followed and Sandra thanked Officers Committee and everyone who has helped at the meetings for all their hard work throughout the year.
The Election of Officers and Committee  followed:-

President    Mrs Mary Ellis
Vice Presidents   Mrs Margaret Clough
      Mrs Peggy Dorey
Chairman   Mrs Sandra Cheeseman
Vice Chairman  Mrs Pam Moss
Treasurer    Mrs Eileen McAuliffe

The presentation of awards and trophies followed:-

The Stratford Andrews Cup
(For the monthly competitions)
1^st Betty Burton
2^nd Mary Royall

The Poppy Cup
Eileen Mitchell

THE MARY ELLIS CUP (For the chocolate gateau)
Eileen Mitchell

THE JACK CLOUGH CUP
(Balloted for by members)
Sue Taylor

THE CHAIRMANS CUP
Eileen McAuliffe

As it was our 80^th Anniversary we marked the occasion with a celebration cake and a glass of wine and a 80 year certificate was awarded to our branch and presented to Mrs Mary Ellis our President Mrs Peggy Dorey and Mrs Peggy Royes our Vice Presidents. A certificate of appreciation was presented to myself by Mrs Mary Ellis which I was very proud to receive.

The monthly competition was a Tiramisu dessert 1^st Betty Burton 2^nd Mary Royall.

Those of you going to see Holiday on Ice at the Brighton Centre on Saturday 28^th January, a reminder that the coach will leave the usual pick up points at 11am.

The next meeting will be on Thursday February 9^th at 2pm.

I would like to thank you all for the support you have shown me over the last nine years as Secretary to the Women's Section. I have enjoyed the time I spent doing the job and I hope that by moving the meetings to the afternoons it will help to attract more people and prove to be successful as it always has been in the past.

My very best wishes to you all.

Sue Taylor