CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

This season has left me with many special memories.

The ACWS takes great pride in putting on spectacular battles and this season has been no exception. Battles apart though, at the Green Hammerton event the bonding of an entire village with the ACWS all through the weekend, through the days and round the campfires in the evenings was really something special. I don't think I have ever met a more friendly group of people and I had a lump in my throat when I was leaving, especially with the villages clapping and waving as we drove past out of the village.

Another special memory was the dear old lady, 87 years old, Edna Baybutt the great granddaughter of Medal of Honour winner, Philip Baybutt, during the Civil War. I was proud to have her as guest of honour of the ACWS at the Norfolk Heritage Park event in Sheffield,(another great weekend).

Something that has really stood out for me this season is the number of people that have swamped our period camps during the weekends, especially at Tynemouth Castle and Sheffield. Regarding Tynemouth I would like to thank the Federal Artillery for curing my bout of constipation by test firing their guns while I was on the Portaloo in the castle.

At Kirby Hall once again the ACWS worked well with SOSKAN and the APNV, long may it continue. Although I must mention Philip Elliot-Wright’s (Chairman of SOSKAN) rather lofty comments about SOSKAN’s "Pound for Pound, Man for Man, Woman for Woman, to be head and shoulders above any comparable Society," I ENVY HIM HIS TALL SOCIETY. I would like to say the ACWS, Pound for Pound, Man for Man, Woman for Woman, Horse for Horse, Dog for Dog, Cat for Cat, Budgie for Budgie and God knows what else people bring with them on camp. ACWS is as good as any comparable Society. Every Chairman likes to think that their Society or Group is the best. I am no different, however in every organization, whether you are a Viking or a Paratrooper the hard work and research is just the same. For the period that you portray, I would like to pay tribute to all of you. Although some groups may not be as tall as others, long may they keep up the good work!

Regarding the ACWS I am very excited about the coming season which includes the International at Weston Park. I am delighted with the progress that the ACWS is making, the result of all the hard work and effort that everyone puts into their ACWS. As I have said in my report for the A.G.M. It makes it the great Society that it is today.

I will say once again THANK YOU ALL.

Yours,

Nick Richards, Chairman ACWS Ltd