2005 - Whitby Naturalists

THE CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
I find it very difficult to know what to say in my report, as thc club is
very fortunate in having a first-class nanagcmcnt team whose
individuai repofts will cover most aspects of the club's activities in
2005. I r,vill howcvcr takc this opportunity to thank them on yoi.rr behalf.
T-he ycar has been sornewhat ciisappointing, as we have experienced a
drop in nembership. This is a problem {ac-cd by many organisations
and, more importantly, thc difficulry faced getting nrcmbers tr: take up
vacancies in the running of the organisatic'rn to which tl'rey belong. It
is difficuit to recruir .voungcr mcmbcrs to the club and as the average
age of the members increases we are faced with a drop in numbers for
our sLrmmer walks. Anv idcas l() rcvcrse this trend would be welcorne.
Thc ciub wrote to Scarborough Borough Council registering our strong
objectioru to their proposais to ciose many of the Public Toilets in the
district, but to no avail despite the public outcry. If only we had the
temperament of the French whose mass protcst would no doubt have
forced the council to abandon the idea!
In conclusion I hope that 2006 wi[I see an increase in the club
mernbership and mort: support for the summer walks.
ERIC ADDISON
CI{AIRMAN