Ian Lydiatt has now retired as our Meetings Co-ordinator and our recent March meeting was his last one. As you will see elsewhere in this issue, he has served us for a long time and deserves to be able to put his feet up. It is because of Ian that we have been able to enjoy some very interesting meetings, all very well organised and smoothly run. Our thanks to him for a job well done.

Also elsewhere, you will find the first part of a report about the Photo Archive Team, outlining their work and their approach to how the various collections should be maintained. As well as a somewhat routine of scanning and cataloguing new images, an insight into the way the contents of the photo archive will be easily made available to you, the member. If you are inspired by the Team’s work, get in touch with them if you think you can help.

The committee got together a few days ahead of the March meeting for one of its regular meetings, in its now usual hybrid form; some attending in person and others joining by Zoom. A full report will appear in the Lakes Express, but I can say that it was, as usual, full of positivity. A wide range of topics was discussed, covering all of the members’ services. The committee are keen to make sure they keep in touch with the members and continue to build a welcoming and friendly community, and this is echoed by Ron Allison in his ‘In My View’ piece on page 51.

It was agreed that we undertake another membership survey, which will give the members a chance to reflect on what we do and perhaps be able to put forward suggestions of how we can further improve things. The last survey was taken in 2015 and the information gained from it was very useful and has guided us in the way the Association is managed. The results of the new survey will help us to determine how we provide the members with what they expect from us.

As with all of our committee meetings, it is great to be able to see the team for a good natter and it is good to be able to say that your CRA is in safe hands.

Next year will be our fiftieth anniversary and plans are afoot to help celebrate the occasion. Your help is requested to enable us to determine how this is done. Planning of some ways to commemorate this milestone has started, but it would be nice to hear of any suggestions you might have to make sure the event is properly celebrated.