We finished the year in high spirits at our Christmas lunch with the welcoming George Inn staff  providing us with pre-lunch drinks followed by a delicious meal in the sunny festive garden room, all with excellent service. The menu, decor and numbers of guests may vary each year, but the one constant is how all are engaged in deep conversation throughout, making it a challenge to prise everyone out of the cosy bar.   Seventeen members enjoyed the gathering while we welcomed first timers Charles and Katie Robson and new members James and Patricia Vanier.  Before lunch Nicky, Regional Representative, gave a brief update of forthcoming Cambridge Region events. Our AGM/ lunch will be held in at The Bell Hotel  Thetford on Wednesday 5th  March.   We hope in early 2025 to meet at Park Farm Hotel and Leisure, Hethersett for lunch and a meeting for those interested in assisting in some way at the AR. The date is still to be announced but please get in touch with Nicky if you would like to attend. The AR Norwich 2025 will take place at Park Farm Hotel and Leisure 19-21 May with the opportunity to attend all or part of the event. We are pleased to announce the speakers: the British politician Andrew Mitchell and Asher Minns, Executive Director of the Tyndall Centre for climate change research. Please contact Charles Robson, AR 2025 Registrar, if you have made your booking at the hotel registration or any queries you may have. Wishing you a peaceful and healthy 2025. We look forward to meeting you soon! Nicky Rodgers Regional Representative  

Letter from FAFICS President, Jerry Barton, Video Message January 2025

The OVS Geneva area Autumn lunch was held on 26 November 2024 at the Brasserie d’Henriette in Ferney-Voltaire on the French side of the border. It was attended by 11 members: Sue Block Tyrrell, Margaret Giorgi, Margaret Kearns, Harry Leefe, Susan Saidi, Richard and Carole Saynor, Matthew Kahane, Richard Harrison, Patricia Brice and me.       For those of you who are interested in history, the brasserie is named after Henriette d’Angeville, an alpinist who in 1838 became the second woman to climb Mont Blanc and the first woman to do so unaided (i.e., although accompanied by guides, they did not carry her over the more difficult spots). Mary Hamouda, Secretary, OVS  

    Happy New Year to you all, wishing you good health and peace. Please join us at the Hydro Hotel, Eastbourne on Thursday, February 27th at noon for our informal AGM and lunch. We welcome any ideas and suggestions for our future lunches. The hotel sits on a clifftop location with views of the sea and the cliffs. There is plenty of free parking either at the hotel BN20 7HZ or in the surrounding roads. For those arriving by train, taxis are available from the front of the station, or it is about a 30 minute walk. Please let Heather Johnson (heatherjay1234@btinternet.com) know if you would like to attend by the 15th February, copying in Joan Wilson (joanewilson@btinternet.com ) who has very kindly organised the lunch for us. Looking forward to seeing you there. Best wishes Heather, Terri and Richard