Notes from the Chair - January 2010

Happy New Year to you all. The joy of living adjacent to The Green is the ever changing nature of The Green through the seasons. Few changes can be as dramatic as those brought about by the recent snow and ice. The cold spell has clearly brought joy to many young (and some not so young) people as witnessed by the snowmen on The Green, and the delighted youngsters playing with the snow. It is wonderful seeing this precious open space giving so much pleasure to local residents.

We had our first committee meeting of the year, in The Pavilion, at the beginning of the month, and along with all our regular business we discussed implementing plans to let members pay their annual subscription by standing order. This should be in place soon. We are also still looking to possibly move the date of our members meetings, but are still awaiting feedback from our local councilors. In addition, we have carefully reviewed our procedures for liaising with local groups using The Green, in an attempt to improve our channels of communication. We are also looking at possible speakers for our members meetings.

(photos courtesy D. Phillips Jan 2010)

Dan Hough, our committee member, who is also Secretary of the Cricket Club, updated us on their activities. "Twickenham CC's 1st XI managed to get promoted in 2009 and will be playing in the top flight of Middlesex cricket in 2010 - meaning that through the course of the season some of Middlesex County Cricket Club's players will be turning out on Twickenham Green. The cricket club are also developing their community links and they have appointed a Cricket Development Officer (Martyn Fryer), who will be going into local schools to try and encourage children not just to take up cricket, but to 'get involved' in sports and activities more generally".

Finally a quick apology. Whilst thanking all those who donated raffle prizes for our Christmas Party, I foolishly left Arthur's bistro off this list. Sorry Arthur's, but thanks as ever for your continued support of The Friends.

All the very best, and stay warm.

Howard Roberts, Chair, Friends of Twickenham Green