The Torbay 2008 Conference Report

Wow what a fantastic Conference! The Devon Riviera, famous for many excellent Conferences, rose to the occasion yet again!
Congratulations to Mark Fairchild and his committee and thank you all for your hard work on our behalf. Conference felt like a lovely, friendly three day family party.
Our Tangent Day, always very popular at any Conference, was a super day. Margaret Coich and her luncheon committee had worked hard to ensure success.
Coffee or Bar drinks were served in the Rosetor Room overlooking the glittering sea, as we assembled. The’ buzz’ and chatter were what you expect when Tangent members meet up with friends!
Over 200 ladies took their places at 11.30a.m. prompt in the dining room which looked lovely with beautiful flower arrangements and special touches .Margaret and I lit the candles of friendship and we then enjoyed a super meal. Janis raised the Loyal Toast and Past National President Doreen Firth, gave the’ Toast to Tangent’. At approx 1.30 p.m. the Exeter Pipe Band brought greetings from New National President Drew Cochran. Ooh!! The swirl of the kilts !!
We commenced our National A.G.M. promptly at 2.15pm (well done ladies). There were approx.280 members present with78 voting delegates.
I invited Michelle Taylor to join me in lighting the candles of friendship, thanked Margaret and her committee and welcomed everyone to Conference. We greeted all past National Officers and accepted apologies from President Renate of Germany who had sent Greetings.
The minutes of 2007 were amended, approved and signed.
The following Executive reports were clear and concise.
As President, I gave an account of my year and related the concern that Tangent should welcome Circlers into their club and try to find a way forward to suit all ages of membership. (I hope to include issues on membership in the magazine and on the web-site.)
This Tangent Year, I have made 82 Tangent visits which included 7 Regional lunches, I have taken 29 flights and 28 sea-crossings covering over 6000 miles. I have driven 8,200 miles and travelled 2,200 miles on the train .I spent 120 nights away from home. Quite a year! I have enjoyed every minute!
Secretary Gill young, gave us facts and figures of membership and clubs.
Treasurer, Lesley Seville, with the help of an ‘aide memoir,’ gave us a very clear breakdown of costs and showed us just how the money is spent. She proposed an increase of 25p on capitation to make it £3.50, and also proposed to raise the President’s allowance to £950. Both these proposals were approved.
Immediate Past President Janis spoke of her work in Membership, International, the Magazine and the web-site.
Sales and Regalia Officer Jan Turner gave us an update of her position, the Tangent Rose is such a success story and is available NOW, so make your order early.
Sadly we said’ fond farewell’ to Jan and Janis and I thanked them not only for their hard work but for their fun and friendship.
Janice Mulqueen from Sunderland is your new Vice President.
Jan was unopposed but spoke eloquently on what she could do for Tangent; Her Best!
Karen Durie from Wokingham is your new Sales and Regalia Officer.
Again unopposed, Karen spoke well and told us of herself, in relation to the post of Sales and Regalia Officer.
I’m sure both Jan and Karen will be a great asset to the Executive and I hope they will enjoy their time with us.
Michelle Taylor, President of Ladies Circle brought greetings from Ladies Circle and in her own inimitable style had put her feelings of the friendship between Circle and Tangent into song. It has been very special to work with all four clubs this year. There has been great support and friendship between us all.
There were no resolutions from the membership.
There was one recommendation from the Executive, to delete rule 7.8 from the constitution. After a short debate, a vote was taken and the recommendation was carried 46 for, 32 against.
The’ Riff –Raff’41 club, interrupted with a farewell presentation to Jan and Janis.
I gave my thanks to all who have helped me in this special year. I couldn’t have done it without you all.
I passed the Chain of Office to Pat with our Best Wishes.
President of 41club, Drew Cochran brought greetings and Terry Cooper presented the Ladies Golf trophy to Jane Fornear.
Pat’s Tangent friends in Taunton and Weston-Super-Mare interrupted her inaugural speech with a comical sketch of climbing a mountain. Representatives form Southport Conference Committee invited us to join them in 2009.
This year, for the first time ,Round Table, 41 club and Tangent will share the same charities, ‘The Air Ambulance ‘and in Scotland the ‘Sea-Bird centre’ at North Berwick .A representative from the Air Ambulance spoke to us about their work.
The meeting closed at 5.10pm.Wow!

Immediate past President
Joan Crabtree

The Tangent Day 2009 booking form here...

NATIONAL CONFERENCE TORBAY Tangent Day pictures here... Other pictures on the 41 Club website

NATIONAL CONFERENCE NEWCASTLE Pictures here...