Firstly, can I thank you for your membership of Timber. It is your support that enables us to act not only as the Trail building energy in Thetford Forest, but also the go to pressure group for Cycling in the whole Eastern Forestry district.

Two years ago TIMBER was in severe danger of folding up with 3 of the key figures deciding to call it a day after battering themselves manfully on the rocky shore of FC officialdom year after year. It was clear that a change of thinking and a change of direction was going to be necessary if all their work and energy wasn’t going to be wasted, so at that time I took up the challenge of facilitating that change of direction.

I’m not going to bang on about where that has taken us, but suffice to say it’s proven to be the right thing to do, as we have gone from being washed up completely to one of the foremost trail building groups in the UK achieving things beyond our wildest dreams along the way.

Personally I strongly believe in not outstaying my welcome, and frankly after 2 years its time to stand aside and let someone else’s energy and enthusiasm reinvigorate the group again and drive it forward once more to bigger and better things before I run aground (topical eh?).

The choice of direction to take and leader to support is for the members and the members alone. However, it would not be professional of me to walk away from the chair without ensuring that there is a t least one good candidate ready to take over the reins. I have done that, and I am happy to announce to all members that Martin Monaghan (Moe to you and me), has agreed to step up to the plate and do that very thing should the members wish for it.

However, his authority in that roll is totally dependent on the support he receives at the AGM.

This years AGM is on Thursday 5th April at 7:30 in the classroom at Santon Downham. We don’t ask much of our members, but can I ask this one thing of you, especially if you genuinely want to support MTB in Thetford Forest? Please pop it in your diary, and make a real effort to show up to support Moe or any other candidate if you prefer. A good turnout is what makes the organisation democratic and gives ownership to our most valuable commodity: You the members.

G
(berm bandit)
Outgoing chairman

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We've just heard that our application to the Inland Revenue to be registered as a Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) has been successful. Our registration number is 06199 and we even have a tax number!

This may all sound a bit dull but it's an important step to allow TIMBER to do more with less risk to our volunteers. It also means we can claim relief under the Gift aid scheme on donations. To become a CASC we had to change our constitution and satisfy the Inland Revenue of the following 1) We are open to the whole community, 2) We are organised on an amateur basis, 3) Our main purpose is the provision of facilities for and the promotion of participation in mountain biking.

If you want to find out more about CASC's see http://www.cascinfo.co.uk/