The Area Chairman, Daniel Adams of Milford Haven 639 has announced a new competition intended to help bring some fun back into Area Tabling.
A £100 prize will be awarded to the Area 43 Tabler who submits the ‘best’ photograph of him during his year in office. The word ‘best’ has not been defined in order to allow the submission of unusual or fun entries and the competition will be judged by the Tablers present at the last practical meeting of the year. Entry is free and the prize results from a specific donation, hence, it does not come out of your capitation. Entries can be submitted by email to or you can bring a normal 6”x4” print to any meeting.

The Area 43 Website has moved to a new temporary address www.DigitalDan.co.uk (Select Area 43 from the home page) It has been extended to include a full events list, Area Exec Diary, details of the 18 Tables and their meeting dates, loads of photos of past Table events and other useful information. Tables can add their information and events to the site by emailing Dan@DigitalDan.co.uk Most updates are in place within a week of the initial email request. For technical reasons, the event photographs on the website are poor quality. If you email me with any of the reference numbers, I will email back with the high quality originals. This is a free service but many email accounts can only handle one or two photos at a time.

I am aware that Tablers occasionally borrow items of Regalia from other Tables, intending for them to be returned very quickly at a future meeting. Occasionally something goes wrong and a Tabler ends up holding regalia for a long time and may not even know where items should be returned. Although I cannot offer an amnesty on another Tables behalf, I am prepared to assist in the anonymous return of any borrowed items without asking any questions. I expect to meet every Table during the year and returning regalia can provide a good excuse for an extra visit. Talking about borrowed regalia, if anyone has found the bag full of my banners that I lost during my Handover, could they let me know a convenient event or meeting so I can arrange collection

I am keen to meet ALL the Tables as often as practical but certain dates e.g. Saturdays in the school holidays are very popular. I can only normally manage one event per day. If you would like me to attend your event of meeting, please contact me using the details at the end of this newsletter and I will do my best to attend – provided another Table has not already booked that date. Please indicate the type of event e.g. Normal Table Meeting or Carnival and let me know if you have any special requirements. I am not restricted to attending in an official capacity and can offer my services as an ordinary Tabler if you need practical help like carrying buckets or marshalling events. I will do my best to come to any event or meeting where my presence would benefit your Table.

This year’s National Sporting Weekend will be held at Nottingham University on 12th-14th September 2008.Whilst I am not known for my sporting prowess, this looks like it could be good fun.
Everything except the Golf is provided on campus and all sports and accommodation are included in the package. With low campus beer prices, I am particularly interested in “Pint Lifting”, “Bar Propping” and the “Drunken Stagger”. Being a little more serious, I am receiving very favourable reports from Area 43 Tablers who have visited previous Sporting Weekends and would like to suggest that we all consider this when planning our Table diaries. The use of the University Campus facilities means that prices start at £155 (this price includes 2 nights accommodation, live entertainment and all sports except golf.) I have been assured that beer is at normal low campus prices and I have confirmed that the bar is open late (2am on Friday night and 3am Saturday)
Why not have a look at the NSW website www.NSW2008.org.uk for more information.

Some Tables have expressed concerns that the current ‘Business Only’ format of Area Council Meetings is a little dry and that it may be an appropriate time to change the format. It has been suggested that each meeting concentrate on a fun/social activity at which only the essential business/reports would be covered. I would welcome your suggestions on how to bring fun back into Area but bear in mind that the budget is limited.