With the Covid vaccination programme proceeding apace, Kent and Sussex Region remain optimistic and are keen to get their social programme up and running again. The Region is already planning some future events where members can meet physically after a long time in lock-down. The following events are all subject to the lockdown being sufficiently eased: The Region is hoping to return to the Dean’s Palace Hotel at Alfriston for the regular monthly lunch meeting on Thursday the 8th July. A visit to Scotney Castle is being planned for the 24th June and a trip on the Bluebell Railway is a possibility for the 23rd of September. Looking further on, a lunch at the Ardington Hotel in Worthing is being planned as is a Christmas Lunch in Lewes. The 2022 AGM is being planned to be held in Chichester on Thursday 10th March, perhaps combining it with a visit to the Cathedral which had to be postponed earlier. Please contact the Regional Representative for further information.  

Summary minutes of a virtual meeting of the Executive Committee conducted by Zoom on 18 March 2021 ExCo meeting 18 March 2021      

The meeting was held by Zoom media on Thursday March 11th, 2021 11.00am. In attendance were; Sylvia and Victor Meaden, Therese Bruce, John Stares, Nicky Rodgers, Jane and William Harding, Arturo and Marita Martinez, Nina Zealey, Olwen Gotts, Ian and Jean O’Neill, Gill Allard, Lynette Kimata, Rod and Margaret Storer, Sylvia and Victor Meaden, Colin Davis (OXF) Edith Davis (WMW) The focus of our virtual meeting was a slide show displaying members’ spring gardens, some extending the boundaries to Cyprus, Argentina and to other seasons.This was an amazing opportunity to glimpse into our outdoor spaces along with fun descriptions of how we use our mini-Chelsea gardens.  We thanked the contributors of the photos ss well as Gillian for the garden suggestion.  Initially we discussed our agenda items, culminating in the slide show.   Reports from 2020 Any matters arising from the Regional Representative, Member Support and Treasurer’s reports of 2020 (distributed in advance) were included below. The new Certificate of Entitlement face recognition registration- a tablet or smartphone is required to complete the registration and there are now instructions on the BAFUNCS website to assist you.  Colin encouraged us to enter the Photo Competition and to vote in the BAFUNCS virtual AGM, with 8th May being the date of the zoom meeting for questions and discussion. Information Note 6- Managing your Personal InformationThis includes the Age UK Lifebook and the Message in a Bottle scheme. Note 6 is available if you click on the link here.  In the future, in normal times, it will be possible to order in bulk for a physical meeting.  The BAFUNCS Website One member held strong views on how the new look website could be improved visually, and she has agreed to contact the web manager with her comments.  It was explained that this is “work in progress” and any comments to improve the site are most welcome. Plans for meetings. We agreed to not make any plans but review the situation periodically, with Thursday 9thSeptember as a possibility. It makes sense to meet at a central venue with plenty of outdoor space where members can book independently, such as Anglesey Abbey or Wimpole hall. The provisional date for the 2022 AGM is set for Thursday March 3rd – the venue will be decided but Thetford is the favoured town at this time. Members were thanked for joining us today! The meeting closed at 12.40 pm.

One of our most distinguished members, Erik Jensen, has just published his memoirs "Alien Aloft". Erik is well-known to many of our members, having been our President  from 2001 to 2007. His book is currently available in paperback on Amazon and from other major booksellers; an e-book edition is currently under preparation. It is an entertaining and informative read, spanning his life from childhood to his last UN assignment as the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Western Sahara. There will be full coverage of Erik's book in our Autumn Newsletter but meanwhile members can read a review of Alien Aloft - "The UN and Impossible Missions" - by David Hannay, Baron Hannay of Chiswick GCMG CH, who was UK Permanent Representative to the UN in New York 1990-1995.