The annual general meeting of the Bromsgrove branch was held at Bromsgrove School on May 19, with a good turnout of members.

Joan Hawksworth, the retiring chairman, was thanked for all the effort she had put into her years in office. Jenny West was then duly elected, unopposed, as her successor. James Bradbury, West Mercia area manager, reported on the current news and developments of the service in our area, which included and update on the finances of the RNLI nationally, in which he stated funds were not swamped with cash, as some of the media had claimed, and indeed reserves were at their lowest levels.

He then congratulated the branch on its record donation of £8,336 to RNLI headquarters this year.

Members then enjoyed an excellent dinner, followed by a talk on the continuing research and success of the Roy Castle Cancer Foundation.

The following Saturday was our annual flag day. The sun shone on the collectors and, thanks to the generosity of the people of Bromsgrove, a grand total of £1,165 was raised. We hold our dinner meetings on the third Wednesday of the month at Bromsgrove School. New members are always welcome.