It is well-known that the money markets don’t like shocks:  it unsettles them.  Indeed, I suppose that most of us don’t like shock news.

With this in mind, may I tell you a story that will explain all.

It was that slack water time, between Christmas and New Year last year, when my wife & I had retired to the sitting room after an evening meal, and we looked, in vain, for ‘something’ to watch on the television – a hopeless task – so we decided to chat amongst ourselves instead.  After a while, I became silent and my wife used one of my own phrases against me – “Pass the conversation”, to which I replied “Sorry: I was just thinking.”  “I’ve warned you about that:  you, thinking – it’s not good for you.”

I explained that I had just realised that next year was 2026 and that, as I had joined the ARA Committee in 1986, by the next AGM, I will have done 40 years, and that, whilst I was nearly getting the hang of it, I wasn’t quite there yet… perhaps, I should stand down to allow someone else, who could do a job better, to have a go.  I resolved that the next AGM would be my last as President.

Whilst my three year period in office runs out in 2027, it would not be fair to anyone to have a brand new President, just when we enter the brave new world of being part of a Unitary Authority, when, it seems to me, the ARA will likely have an even bigger part to play in the life of Ashtead and its residents, requiring a full and strong team of people to make the best of this new situation.

We have two ways of helping the ARA, either by formally joining the Committee or by becoming a “Friend of the ARA”, which enables people to use their skills for the benefit of Ashtead, without being tied so closely to the Committee.

Until relatively recently, we had 7 District Councillors, now reduced to 6 in a reorganisation by MVDC, and one County Councillor.  In 2027, we will have just two Unitary Authority Councillors.  Thus, those Councillors have now been reduced TO a quarter.  Hence, it is essential to a strong ARA to make up the difference.

In my time, and before, it was always a perennial plea – we haven’t got any young, new people joining the Committee:  but, as you know, the ARA has survived and, indeed, flourished in that time but we need a constant ‘trickle feed’ of people to replenish the ‘Team’.  Without a strong ARA, we will be left to the whims of the new Unitary Authority, who will be able to act, deprived of any meaningful, educated and dissenting voice.

Yes, over time, people will step down but there are, I know, others who will be willing to put their names forward to be replacements in our fight to keep Ashtead as that delightful place in which to live.

New people to the Committee don’t have to stay 40 years, as I did but they should know that I thoroughly enjoyed my time, having some truly wonderful moments, meeting lovely people on the way.  What could be nicer?  And, possibly, you will be making a difference.

Well, that’s my news:  now, it shouldn’t come as a shock when you attend my last ARA AGM as President on Thursday,16th April, 7pm at the APMH.  I look forward to seeing you there.

Rereading this, and just before I pressed the ‘Send’ button, I was reminded of a retirement card I saw – ‘Go!?  I thought he’d never leave!’