“Mr. Chairman” Retires.

Graham Myatt gave a presentation to Howard Smith
Retiring Chairman of the AWCC Midland Region.

Howard became Chairman of the Midland Region, after attending a Region meeting on behalf of someone else. Howard stepped in when the Midland Region was struggling and has been Chairman for ten years. His meetings have been topical and efficiently run. Howard has represented the Region at numerous forums and BW meetings both local and National. At AWCC EXEC meetings he has kept our Southern colleagues on their toes with a bit of good North Country straight talking.

Howard inherited a Region with very low attendance at meetings. He rescheduled the meetings to Saturday mornings which changed the attendance and gave clubs an opportunity to extend their hospitality to visitors.

Sheila has always been there with support and organisation for both Howard and the Region. Sheila has been the driving force behind fund raising for the Region. The “plastic duck” population of the Midlands has gone into counselling.

On top of this they have become good friends to quite a number of us.

For all that, we owe both Howard and Sheila a huge Thank you. On behalf of the Region Clubs and Members Graham presented Howard with a gift of garden vouchers. Sheila was presented with a bouquet of flowers.

Graham also thanked the Clubs and individuals who had contributed to the gifts.

Howard is also Chairman of the Erewash Canal Preservation and Development Association (ECP&DA) and has been instrumental in the progress of Erewash Canal and was a leader in the formation of the Friends of the Cromford.