I’m just writing to thank you all for the lovely presents and kind words I received recently from you all. What a kind and thoughtful thing to do; I now officially have a wine cellar!

It was great to see the committee and tutors on Zoom to reflect on the last three decades plus. So many lovely and talented individuals have been through the music club, so many friendships formed- it’s simply amazing.

After such a challenging year, it was heartwarming to catch up with so many people’s news and what a privilege it has been to play and conduct alongside you all over the years. I think I was following you, by the way!

As well as the tremendous playing, it is the laughter we shared that stays in my mind. I think of you all and I see hundreds of smiling faces, how marvellous is that?

I just want to send my kindest regards to everyone, thank you for everything you’ve done for me, for the club and I’ll see you all at a gig sometime soon I’m sure. Possibly with the exception of those who emigrated to Australia!

Keep playing, keep smiling and in the words of the world’s greatest ever philosophers Bill and Ted: “Be most excellent to each other”.