Chair’s Message

I hope you all had a great Christmas. As we wrap up 2021, a year of great change, 2022 is certainly looking busy too. Projecting forward sees a focus on outreach, with a new team evolving, as we reach out to a younger membership, and to all players who have not yet experienced the benefits of being a member of HarmonicaUK and our extended family. HarmonicaUK is making great progress in becoming more diverse and inclusive, and it is great to witness our trustees and helpers embracing new initiatives. Over the past year, a number of external groups have been supporting initiatives to promote good respiratory health, and I’m glad to say that moving forward, we will be working with these various groups to support and develop plans to help in this area. Over the past year we have also put on two great online festivals, the most recent of course being the October Festival. We certainly had a world class line-up – more on this later. But I guess the really exciting news is our plan for a live Chromatic Weekend (CW) 17–19 June in Birmingham. It would have been three years since we have all been together. I know the CW planning team is making enormous progress in this area. You will be hearing from Dave Hambley as we move into 2022 on how to book your rooms and tickets for the June weekend. So no need to worry, we will be in contact with you. I am encouraged by the feedback on the new look HarmonicaUK and branding and of course our new website and membership system. Have you created an account yet? It is simple to do and only takes a few minutes. We are working with WhiteFuse (our system provider) on solutions for members who are unable to pay by direct debit. This is Barry Elms’ last magazine as Editor as he moves up as Head of Communications and Vice-Chair. Barry has done a sterling effort. Dave Colclough will be shadowing Barry as Editor of this edition before assuming control as Editor. I am sure you will agree, these are exciting changes. Happy harping to you all,