CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 2011

King George V broadcast his first King’s speech in 1932 – The Times lauded his ‘perfect and unforced enunciation (that) set the standard for the speaking of the King’s English’. As we all know, his son, George VI, found it much more daunting – though its film portrayal has garnered awards galore!

For the King’s Speech, read The Chairman’s Report – on the State of the Nation, hopefully delivered without stammering or swearing.

For the BAFTAS/OSCARS read the SCARES – Sain Clwyd Awards for Recording Excellence!

So let’s get the awards out of the way.

Congratulations! On the good ship Sain Clwyd Sound we are all winners! Though the list of nominees was somewhat restricted in all categories.

From, on the bridge, our Presidential duo of Mr.Keith Evans and Mr.Ron Parry, for their involvement and encouragement.

Via the Engine Room – of Secretary, Mrs.Margaret Jones,

Treasurer, Mr.David Henderson, in his first full year,

and Technical Officer, Mr.Brian Fenn,

To the Boiler Room - where the production, compilation, copying and distribution is down to the editors of both the English and Welsh editions – Winifred, Margaret, Wyn and the Welsh Group and me, and Christmas guest editor, Dave de Kort, along with Brian Fenn, of course!

All supported by the rest of the crew – our Committee, our Contributors – led by our own ‘Centurion’, Mr.Brian West! and our newest recruit, Dawn Roberts - and our Volunteers – the infantry at our collections!

I thank you one and all!

With the Awards out of the way, let’s confront ‘The State of The Nation’ – an annual challenge I embarked upon at the turn of the century!

In my early attempts, I fumbled to find fresh words to describe the status quo. Not any more! For now, change is the name of the game!

We have gone from Revolution to Evolution, via a half-time break of Consolidation.

The Revolution started with a limited trial launch of our CD in 2008, followed a gradual extension through 2009.

A Revolution from the narrow brown analogue ribbon of tape, with its 3 year life-span, - to the shiny silver spinning disc that is the customized CD of the present day!

By 2010 the revolution was over, and that year was the year of Consolidation – with all our listeners transferring to CD – a CD that says what it is on the tin, and one that they can keep!

Now, in 2011, we embark on the first year of Evolution.

The first goal of this year must be the quest for ‘Digital Mastery’ – of the quality of our original recordings, of their subsequent enhancement, of the final compilation of the CD. And the development of our website.

Secondly, we need to disseminate the fruits of our labours – to local hospital radio and Calon FM in a form more easily utilized. Back to ‘digital mastery’!

Thirdly, we need to declutter! The proliferation of equipmemt on the addition of CD production ( 3 copiers, 2 printers, a tape/CD recorder, computer and monitor) has filled the studio to bursting point.

We need to dust down the archive! Just to let more light into the studio!

Wendy has plunged bravely into the task, tackling cassettes that go back to 1978 – 33 years x 12 months! Do the maths! Some task, but the first step towards digitizing our archive, making it more manageable and available.

Fourthly, we must continue to search for support and sponsorship. We are still benefiting from the contributions of Mold Rotary Club, The Council Chairman’s Charity Fund, Llanarmon Show, Clwb Y Parc, Northop Hall Society, the Dyffryn Alyn Lodge and the Shotton Keep Fit Girls! Boosted by donations from listeners and groups to whom we have given talks, and the proceeds of our Coffee mornings and collections.

One of the many advantages of the changeover to CD is that we can now acknowledge their contribution on the front of the CD edition.

Finally, as has been said many times before, none of us are getting any younger and we need to welcome aboard fresh faces and voices.

So there you have it – my take on the state of Sain Clwyd Sound. We have made a massive leap forward, and survived, though there is still ‘Work in Progress’. I’m enormously proud of what we do and the way we do it. And look forward to the next phase of our contribution to the ‘Big Society’.

The future’s bright, the future’s Orange and Yellow!