NDOA NEWS – FEBRUARY 2008

Unfortunately, the date originally planned for the 2008 AGM, which was Thursday 13 March, has now had to be substantially changed, owing to a number of factors.  So I’m afraid that the proposed 2008 AGM details issued in the 2007 AGM Minutes sent out to members some months ago are no longer relevant, and the new date has been fixed for Wednesday 14 May 2008 at 8.00 pm.  We hope to see as many members as possible at the meeting, when various reports from officers will be presented.  If you wish to raise any matters for consideration at the AGM, please let me know beforehand.  If you would like to volunteer for membership of the committee, please tell me as soon as possible, since we do need help with any ventures we are proposing.  If you are unable to attend the AGM, please write to me or phone me to raise any specific issues you may have and we shall try to deal with them. 

Unfortunately, Bob Willis, our Treasurer and Web Master, had an accident and sustained a painful leg injury during January.  We sent him best wishes from the Association during his hospital stay, and he is now recovering back home in Newbury and seems to be trying to do all the things he did before the accident!

Meanwhile, 2008 seems to be advancing rapidly, and we are now well into our Thursday lunchtime recital schedule, having heard Mary Harwood and Ian May, both from Reading, in January and February.  Christine Wells from Hambleden will play on 13 March, and Graham Ireland from Reading on 10 April.  Please try to support these recitals which are always on the second Thursday of each month at St Nicolas Church, Newbury, starting at 1.10 p.m.   (As usual, there will be no recital in May because of the Spring Festival.)

Our Membership Secretary, Mary Taylor, reports that subscriptions have been coming in fairly steadily – thanks to those of you who have already paid.  Unpaid subscriptions would now be appreciated.  We are not yet in a position to issue membership cards because of a printing problem, but this will be remedied as soon as possible.  Meanwhile, please contact Mary if you need to be sure your subscriptions are up-to-date.

The committee is now looking at organising trips to other organs, with two venues already in mind.  Further details will be issued to you once the necessary groundwork has been done to make these trips possible, and we hope you will want to support these.

I have received a considerable amount of information by post and e-mail concerning events in other areas.  I will give a brief overview of these, with contact details, so that if you wish to chase them up you can do so directly.  One definite date for our area is Saturday 20 September, when Ann Elise Smoot will be coming to St Nicolas Church, Newbury, to give a 7:30 pm. celebrity recital, which we hope will be well-attended.  Ann Elise conducted our Master Class last June and, after giving a short recital that day, expressed her keenness to return to St Nicolas Church to give a further recital.  Tickets will be available later, and any profits from the concert will go to the Organ Fund at St Nicolas Church, where a re-ordering of the church is under consideration. 

DETAILS OF OTHER EVENTS, ETC.

If you are interested in going to celebrity organ recitals or lunchtime organ recitals on the Father Willis Organ at Reading Concert Hall, details are available on 0118 960 6060, or www.readingarts.com. 

Berkshire Organists’ Association publishes a diary of local recitals and associated events, and details may be obtained from the Publicity Officer Don Hickson, by e-mail at dandsjhickson@btinternet.com; alternatively details are on the Association’s web site – www.berkshireorganists.org.uk.

I shall be getting back to you as soon as I can with details of our trips out.  Meanwhile, please put the AGM date in your diary and do try to come along to David’s house to support the Association.Best wishes,

Carolyn Greenwood