Hello everyone,
This is my last chair’s message before I handover to our new chair Barry Elms at the festival. I hope to see as many of you as possible at our world class musical gathering 21-23rd October in Birmingham. The festival planning team really have done an amazing job and our line up is simply brilliant. At the festival we have two exciting announcements and at least one important launch; couple this with the concert line-up and workshop leaders, we can expect a very memorable festival. Well done to the team, you have done us all proud.
Over the past two years we have seen a positive trend of players from the UK and around the globe joining our membership. This is fantastic news and I would like to welcome everyone to our extended family. When it comes to AGMs then this is a double-edged sword; because of the way we are currently structured, we need 10% of our members to vote to ensure we are quorate as we vote at the AGM. This year we will struggle unless everyone who can’t physically attend the AGM takes the time to vote by proxy. Please, please take the time to help us and ensure that we don’t need to run another AGM in the near future, as this would be an unnecessary workload for Barry and his new team. The newsletter and following email which will be sent in a few days will include all you need to know to vote by proxy.
In the September newsletter I mentioned that Dave Hambley, Sam Wilkinson and Davina Brazier are also standing down. I would like to celebrate their outstanding contributions.
Dave Hambley joined the committee 15 years ago. In his time, he has worked as secretary, steered many of the Chromatic Weekends and worked with the festival teams in overseeing bookings and the competitions. Dave was also instrumental in the successful application for us to become a registered charity in 2009. But I guess many will remember his longevity as membership secretary. Dave has been really key to HarmonicaUK and only last year ensured the successful roll out of our new automated membership system – WhiteFuse. Dave is retiring at our AGM and without doubt and because of his outstanding contribution, has a guaranteed place in our rich history. On behalf of us all – thank you.
Sammy Boy Wilkinson has worked on the committee since 2019, but prior to this was a proofreader for Roger. In the past 3 years, Sammy Boy was responsible for the lockdown sessions, and just think back to the first lockdown, what would we have done each weekend without the regular masterclasses from top players from around the world and in more recent times the virtual open mics. His continued contribution to publicity for us and of course and probably less well known was his appointment as Vice-Chair 2020-21. Sam joined our executive committee and worked tirelessly to bring in positive change, in particular was his drive and expertise in our new IT evaluation and selection. Sam has worked hard and with good humour. He is stepping down at the AGM too, his contribution has been very significant. Thank you SBW.
Davina Brazier joined our committee in October 2014. In 2020 I encouraged Davina to accept the role of secretary. Davina has been a member of our executive committee since then, and as for her achievements, I am not sure where to start. Our position as a charity is now very strong and we have process maps to ensure that all that we do is not only in good order, but totally compliant. Under Davina we have taken huge strides with safeguarding, health and safety, and have made huge progress to ensure that we always challenge our placing as a diverse and inclusive organisation. I must also mention her time as the Chromatic Weekend organiser for many years. Davina leaves her role in good order and the groundwork in place to ensure a seamless transition. Davina is standing down at our AGM and I would like to say that all organisations need a Davina Brazier. Thank You Davina.
The past few months has seen many changes with people declaring to leave and join key positions. With our magazine Harmonica World, we close the doors to contributors of the magazine approximately 6 weeks before publication. Our September edition was going to arrive ahead of schedule. Because of the changes to HarmonicaUK, I have had to shout stop press on a number of occasions. This has caused a lot of extra work for our Editor Dave Colclough and his team. As head of HarmonicaUK, I would like to take full responsibility for the late edition and for any mistakes that may have crept in through the process, as this has no reflection on our Editor and his team.
Over the past 2 years, not only have I worked closely with Barry, but a lasting friendship has developed. Barry is going to be an exceptional leader and as I write, I can confirm that Dave Colclough, Gene Myers and Andrew Hardy have put themselves forward to being voted on at this AGM. Collectively they bring many strengths and many skills to ensure that our committee will continue to make steady progress. I would like to wish Barry and his team all the very best for the future.
I would like to thank our Committee, President, Vice-President, Patrons, Ambassadors, and everyone who supports our committee, and of course you for trusting me to realign HarmonicaUK onto an exciting new course.
It is with sadness that I sign off as Executive Chair for the last time. I have already volunteered my services for our festival next year. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to lead HarmonicaUK, it has been a chapter I will always cherish.
Happy harping,
Pete