Chair’s Message

Hello everyone, A message from our Chair, one year in

I must start by thanking the team who have helped us achieve so much in so short a time. From our committee, assistants to the committee, right down to the enthusiasm of you, our members, I know this year will be recorded as a remarkable one. As a result, we have produced a top quality magazine with its extra benefits of being available in electronic format and for the visually impaired. Our behind the scenes work of ensuring we are fully compliant has been staggering. I can rest easy at night reflecting on the great work that Davina and her team are doing. After confirming our core and brand values, we are satisfied that HarmonicaUK will be fit for purpose for many years to come. We have a new website, IT system, automated membership, and in the past 12 months we have organised 3 world class online festivals. Our Newsdesk has been launched, putting us at the forefront of communication from harmonica players and enthusiasts from around the globe and, finally, our first 2 of 6 new ambassadors are announced in this edition. As I look over this whole process, I have to remind myself that this great work has been achieved by volunteers working in their spare time. This is an extraordinary achievement, if not the most extraordinary set of simultaneous achievements since 1935. Well done to this brilliant team. I was very pleased to learn that SPAH has recognised Jim Hughes for his lifelong contribution to the harmonica, and I feel honoured to award Roger Trobridge our highest award. More on these stories later on in this issue. Finally, I was very saddened to learn of the passing of past Chairman - Colin Mort. Colin was a great Chairman and a full tribute is paid later in this issue. At Colin’s funeral, Roger Trobridge officially represented all from NHL/HarmonicaUK who knew and admired this wonderful man. David Inns, Rowena Millar and Andy Millar attended too: Rowena performed a tribute on harmonica, and a recorded tribute by Johnny Mars was played to the congregation. At the time of writing, I do hope that our October festival was a great success. We will of course completely cover this in the next magazine. I really hope that you love our improvements as much as we do, Now where is my harmonica??

Best wishes Pete