25 May 2004.
Dear
Centurions,
John
Eddershaw C299 in his last letter to you all as President said “that it
has been a privilege and an honour to have served you as President since
1998”. John has now stood down and I have been elected as your 9th
President since the inauguration in 1911. Whether I can emulate my
predecessors remains to be seen but I will endeavour to follow in their
footsteps.
The
Centurions is a select gathering; we are not a club or organisation and
not affiliated to other bodies. As such we should keep the requirements of
our body to a minimum.
I would
like to take this opportunity to thank John Eddershaw for his excellent
work and support of the Centurions during his term as President. John
has always represented us in a very statesman like manner and I know he
will continue to so do.
Colin
Young C317 has also stepped down as Captain after many years. His
knowledge of walking and other sports is second to none, and it is always
a pleasure to reminisce over the personalities and events of yesteryear,
many of whom had stopped competing before I became involved.
Regrettably Ken Munro C370 stood down as Hon. Secretary during the year
but fortunately Chris Flint C849 was able to take over the reins. He has
now offered to remain in the post for a further year.
Our
thanks go to all three of our former Officers. They well epitomise the
spirit within the Centurions.
The
Centurions may be an august body but unfortunately we are not a wealthy
one as the accounts, as produced by Paul Sargent C430, show. Therefore, we
could do with more in the coffers, and any donation, however small, would
be most welcome and, without being too presumptuous, maybe a bequest in
your Will. This would be most appreciated, and please don’t expect a
personal thank you letter after we have received it!
May I
wish all Centurions a good year and ask for your support whenever you can
give it, and especially at the forthcoming 100 Miles championship at
Colchester on 21-22 August. We shall need all the help that is available.
Carl
Lawton C750
President