Welcome to AOUG in the South (02)
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Good day everyone
I’m Mike Bechley, and I’d like to introduce myself, probably to the majority of you, as the (comparatively) newly elected executive member for the AOUG south region (02). I obtained my BSc at the end of 1999, and joined AOUG at the degree ceremony in Portsmouth in 2000. In working life I was a Merchant Navy ship’s Captain, but in retirement I spend a little of my time as a volunteer on the Mid-Hants Railway, in Alresford, and on nice days in the summer as part of the Portsmouth Harbour Volunteer Patrol under the auspices of the Queen's Harbour Master.
The region is quite large and I appreciate that many of the events that we organise are inaccessible to many of you. However, there are two active groups in the region – one towards the north, based around Oxford and led by Colin Reed, and the other based around Portsmouth, which is more my concern. However, for those of you living towards the extremities of the region, you will find a warm welcome in other areas (for example 03, the Southwest or 13, the Southeast), so please do not feel duty-bound to stay within your OU geographical area. Events are advised in OMEGA, as you know, and also on the AOUG website.
If there is anyone who would wish to form their own local contact group, please get in touch with me, or perhaps Colin Reed, and we will do all we can to assist you; the AOUG office will be happy to help as well, by, perhaps, putting your e-mail address on the website.
In an organisation such as ours, it is difficult to keep track of changes of address and e-mail addresses. On behalf of the hard-working staff in the AOUG office, I’d ask that any changes that you do make are advised to them, so that records can be updated, and other regions, for example, advised of people moving into their purview.
In the meantime, we will, of course, be delighted to meet any of you at our coffee mornings or ‘excursions’ as announced on the website.
With all good wishes
Executive Representative – Mike Bechley: m.bechley@ntlworld.com
Local area contacts:
Portsmouth and South Downs: Mike Bechley: m.bechley@ntlworld.com
Oxford and area Colin Reed: colin@cry-reed.demon.co.uk
Berkshire and Buckinghamshire Carol Lamb:carollamb@wordproc.co.uk