I’m pleased to report that 2011 has once again been a successful year for the Club and its members. Many of you have enjoyed a successful season, with personal bests and new distances tackled with good results.

We will shortly hear Phil’s time trial report so I’ll try not to steal any of his thunder (even though he’s not here to complain!).

Once again the evening 10 series attracted several new riders including Tom Garbett a promising juvenile who achieved a personal best in each of his first 5 events, not a bad start I’m sure you will all agree. Once again however the numbers were down overall for the series.

Unfortunately it was mainly left to Rebecca this season to compete for the Ladies trophies, hopefully next year she’ll get some competition.

16 riders entered this year’s hillclimb, not quite as many as last years record but I believe a new record was set by Edwin riding his tricycle, something I haven’t seen climbing the Killcow in the last 46 years. No special medal for Edwin but he did collect a giant puffball off the side of the road for his supper, I prefer a steak myself!

As well as time trialling, some members, notably Rob Kidd, have enjoyed successes in triathlons and thanks to Will Rollo’s efforts more members have tried their hand at mountain bike events. In fact we have a World Champion in our midst as at this years ‘Sleepless in the Saddle’ event, Will became ‘Sleepless in the Saddle Jump of Doom World Champion 2011’. I understand that this involved jumping over Dinky cars and Double Decker buses on a 3 x 2 plank!!

I’ll leave Gill to tell us all about the Club’s financial situation but it’s worth commenting that prudent financial measures have ensured that we continue to weather the recession without any need to increase members’ subscriptions for next year. For example we have started to circulate the newsletter by email to some members which saves us the price of a stamp every month. If any of you would be happy to receive yours in this way then please let Christine or Gill know.

Socially the premier event was the usual very enjoyable Annual Dinner and Prize Presentation. In addition the Xmas lunch was very welcome following the clubrun on an extremely cold icy morning, and meals after the last evening "10" and the hillclimb brought the season to an end. The annual Treasure Hunt took place, again this year courtesy of Chris, 14 riders entered, a welcome increase on previous years events. Unfortunately I couldn’t make it this year which left the field open for someone else to be last. Two coaching days, free to members were organised by Phil and financed by the Club. I’m not quite sure if these should go under the heading of social events, they were for me and Andy making the tea but for those of you being timed and measured during the turbo sessions then maybe not! Either way I hope that those who attended gained some benefit; if not, then at least you saved yourselves about £20.

The new web forum has attracted some interest during the year but appears to be used by only a few members so if any of you have not yet logged on and signed up then may I suggest that you take a look and see if it can be useful for you.

To summarise other notable events Ade Pountney is still progressing well after his operation which is good news. Leah & Tom Leonard tried their best to swell the membership and provide us with a Juvenile champion in about 2023 with the birth of their baby boy. Geoff Edgerton was fitted with a new superfast hip but unfortunately this will be offset next season by the other superslow one!

Early in the year Marie Guy led a clubrun through Chester which was mainly along traffic free routes along a disused railway, alongside the River Dee and the canal towpath. This has since proved to be a popular ride with several members enjoying the advantages of cycling with only walkers and dogs to contend with. Later in the year a clubrun by 3 members along another mainly traffic free route, the North Wales coastal from Prestatyn to Llandudno on a lovely warm sunny autumn day was very enjoyable but proved that traffic free does not necessarily mean safe and accident free as our President discovered to his cost with cut arms, legs, head and fractured finger. Prompt first aid by his 2 companions did little to lessen Andy’s suffering but the main objective of course was to get him into a fit state to ensure that we were allowed into a café for lunch before the return journey!

Last year I reminded everyone of the need for all events to be adequately marshalled and urged all members to volunteer their services if at all possible. This request was echoed by Phil in his Time Trial Report. At the start of the season Phil took the initiative of producing a list of all events, circulating it around members and asking for names to put alongside each event. I’m pleased that this did achieve some success with several members volunteering and relieving some of the burden on those of us who turn up for most events. For those who did do their bit, please accept my thanks on behalf of the event organisers. I hope that more members will rise to the challenge next season and offer their services; a reliable volunteer means one less headache for the organiser.

When we get to the Time Trial Secretary’s report later you will hear about another initiative that Phil intends to organise during the winter; I would urge all racing members to try and attend, this will be your chance to air your views and learn from each other’ co-ordinating plans for next season.

On behalf of all the members I would like to thank the Committee for their dedication and enthusiasm carrying out their various roles. I hope everyone appreciates how much time and effort is put in by them, totally voluntarily. I trust you will all support the new Committee and remember we are always available to listen to new ideas, requests, complaints and criticism.

Finally, a big thank you to everyone who has helped in any capacity during the last 12 months and I look forward to a successful 2012.

Thank you.