Mid Anglia Centre

I am absolutely delighted in becoming Chairman of the Mid Anglia centre.

Both Joy and myself enter our first year of office with great excitement.

We joined the Mid Anglia centre in 1999 and since then the centre has become a major part of our lives. Along the way we have had the privilege of meeting many many lovely people and have made some great friends who we have shared lots of fantastic times with on the rally field and as such we have many fond memories.

It is due to the great people within the Mid Anglia centre that has undoubtedly contributed to our years of enjoyment in rallying. And as such I am passionate that the success of our centre continues enabling others to experience the fantastic times to be had on a rally field.

By being your Chairman, not only is it a way of thanking you all, for our years of enjoyment. I can now with enthusiasm endeavour to ensure that our centre continues to be successful with the aim for all to enjoy.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our committee who’s continued dedication continues to make the Mid Anglia Centre a well run and organised club, one that we can be proud of.

Perhaps the most important people to thank is our rally marshals who organise our rallying .I am always very grateful to them as without their hard work and organisation, we would not be able to go on our rallies and have such good times.

I am however very aware that our marshals are finding that running a rally is sometimes frustrating as the once guaranteed abundance of members booking on rallies to the point of most having a waiting list is sadly a thing of the past especially in this current economic climate.

Unfortunately we have had to cancel five rallies during the 2011 programme of events due to the lack of numbers.

Apart from the disappointment that cancelled rallies has on our members who have booked them.

I am most concerned and sympathise with the marshals who through no fault of their own have had to cancel the rally. This means the months of planning and hard work has all been to no avail, what a huge disappointment this must be.

This is one of our most important challenges that we are facing, one that I am going to focus on with the aim of reducing the number of cancelled rallies due to lack of numbers. It would however be great if we could achieve a nil cancellation rate. With the help of the committee the marshals and our members I believe this is achievable.

I am also keen to ensure that our new ralliers are made to feel most welcome in our centre, not just for the first rally but also for the subsequent rallies thereafter. This is vital if we want Mid Anglia to continue long into the future.

Talking about the future it would be remiss of me if I did not mention our junior committee. Like their parents I was also very proud on how they presented themselves at the AGM and have taken up the challenge. I wish them all the best and hope they enjoy and have fun. Of course this would not be possible without the help and support of Mums, Dads and our new JLO Matthew Nellist, many thanks to you all.

Joy and I wish you all an enjoyable, up and coming rallying season and we very much look forward to seeing everyone on a rally field soon.

All the very best

And Happy rallying

Martin Cotton, Chairman

6 Thornham Way

Eastrea

Peterborough

Cambs P37 2AS