Dear Fellowship Member

I must advise that our speaker for October 2024, the inestimable Miriam Margolyes has had to cancel with us. She has been busy and is exhausted and I understand her reasons for cancelling. As a result I have decided that our meeting on Wednesday 2nd October will not go ahead.

This gives me an opportunity of writing to you with developments affecting our branch. Andrew has decided to relinquish the post of secretary. I would like to place on record my appreciation for the work that he undertook in that role on our behalf. Obtaining relevant speakers to come to Broadstairs from what is, after all, a diminishing pool of speakers is no easy task. Thank you Andrew.

I have also taken the decision to step down from my role as chairman for health reasons.  Therefore, there are two positions which will require filling at our AGM which is scheduled for 6th of November.

I am calling a meeting of the Fellowship Committee to discuss how we can garner relevant speakers and undertake worthwhile events in Broadstairs and elsewhere. I have in mind special showings of Dickens films at the Palace cinema if we can raise sufficient attendees to make it worthwhile. It is also some time since we had an excursion away from Broadstairs. That, too, may be an exciting venture. These are ideas for you to consider and decide.

All organisation such as ours rely wholly on volunteers to exist and continue to be relevant. We continue to have an active Dickens Declaimers group although recent events have been poorly attended by Fellowship members.

For this reason and with the two senior committee positions requiring filling I do invite you to consider assisting the Fellowship where possible. Apart from the elections for the relevant positions I do hope that you will attend our AGM. I look forward to seeing you all then.

Best wishes

Eddy Coulson