Newsletter
Winter Newsletter 2011/12
Being one of the co-founders of SDAF I know how difficult it has been to get to where we are today but, with help and support coming from the Environment Agency, Optua, our own Management Committee, our volunteers and local mainstream angling clubs namely Gipping Valley Angling Club, then later on the Gipping Angling Preservation Society and Hadleigh and District Angling Society, we have exceeded all of the original aims and objectives with curtain closed on our most successful 2011 season, we look forward to an even better 2012. Thank you to all our members and friends.
The good news continues with more success in 2011, we were awarded a sum of £3853.00 from Activities Unlimited, this has been used to run a project for young people up to the age of 25 years who have varying disabilities and disorders, some of this money has also been used to purchase additional equipment. The Environment Agency has also awarded us £1500 towards a new project and additional help towards running costs, we are also grateful to the Stowmarket Lions Club have recently awarded us £250. We are very grateful to all above named organisations who have, in the current world economic climate, given so generously, thank you.
SDAF has been invited to set up stalls at numerous charity events throughout the 2011 summer months. John Grose invited us to all of their Ford Motability showcase days, which were manned by Terry Reynolds and his good wife Gay, we are grateful for John Grose’s continued support. Invites were also received from Activities Unlimited Showcase/Open Days, again our thanks go to Terry and Gay for manning the stall. The last Activities Showcase Day was held at the Kesgrave Community Centre, where Terry, Gay, Andrew and I were kept very busy all day, no doubt helped by the fishing game and special biscuits and sweets made and provided by Gay Reynolds. Terry and Gay have also supported us at some of the Suffolk Foundation open days, a special thank you to the whole Reynolds family.
This year the Joe Flinter Memorial Match, which took place on Friday 19th August saw 30+ of you turn out in respect of Joe, who was of course our Wendy’s husband. Joe loved his fishing and I know he would have been proud and grateful of your respect as was Wendy and her family who laid on a super buffet for us all along with our sausage and chips. It was a memorable and very special day for everyone. Our thanks go to Wendy and her family who were all kept very busy, especially Hannah and Connor!!!
The Suffolk Disabled Anglers’ Forum is now a member of SAVO, (Suffolk Association of Voluntary Organisations) who will provide some of our necessary training courses such as first aid, child protection, disability awareness along with many other membership benefits to numerous to mention. Our volunteer CRB applications will also be handled by SAVO.
Our recent application for membership was accepted by Sported, an organisation that offer help and support to voluntary and community sport organisations to become business savvy. Sported also offer its members funding advice and opportunities, long-term this membership is going to be very beneficial for SDAF.
It has been a pleasure to witness the success of 2011 it would not have been possible without both a good management committee, who all work very hard behind the scenes and you our members, so thank you for giving me this very welcome boost.
Our 2011 AGM was once again held at Optua House, Claydon on Friday 11th November, where the meetings elections for officers took place. The following were elected by both those attending and post:
Chairman/Secretary: Ian Wood
Vice Chair: Terry Reynolds
Treasurer: Wendy Flinter
Membership Secretary: Wendy Flinter
Publicity & Fund Raising Manager: Andrew Townsend & Terry Reynolds
Minutes Secretary: Colin Canham
Although I have re-elected to serve as your chairman I will be working behind the scenes in 2012, but I will of course be there to help when needed
That’s about it for now, we’ll look forward to seeing you all again in 2012.
Ian.