Club News

By Diana Rayner, AAC(UK) Chairman

Anglo-Austrian Society

Have you heard of the Anglo-Austrian Society www.angloaustrian.org.uk? Maybe you’re already a member. I wasn’t aware of it until I met a fellow Evesham resident by chance on the train to London, and noticed he was reading something Austrian. Being a bit nosy, I asked. He’s a trustee of the Society, and is now their newsletter editor too, and he told me all about it. The Anglo-Austrian Society promotes social and cultural exchange between the UK and Austria. They hold Stammtische, the traditional Austrian get-together, for an interesting talk about Austria, and sociable discussions, in English and German. You can attend in person in London, Oxford, Manchester and Vienna, and some Zoom-only dates too. Just as the AAC(UK) elebrated our 75th anniversary last year, the Anglo-Austrian Society is also partying this year. Five years older than us, they are marking their 80th with string quartet concerts in London and Salzburg and a reception at the Austrian Embassy.

Our (even more) fabulous newsletter

I went into lyrical ecstasy last time about the December newsletter. But the February edition was even more exciting! I love it because it’s a real “members” publication. It’s full of aspiration, emotion, and exciting exploits. Peter Finch, our designers Viarti, and of course our talented members excelled themselves yet again.

Our new directors and volunteers

Last December I advertised in e-news for members with fluent German to offer to join the Board. Fourteen marvellous people put themselves forward. I can only think that e-news coming out on a cold, rainy weeekend is a very good idea! We have ended up with four new directors – Ingrid Baber, Ann-Marie Bathmaker, Klaus Kreher and Peter Poelz – who will help us to keep up our good relationship with colleagues in Innsbruck and all over Austria, as well as (already) getting involved in jobs back home.

The same e-news included a plea for anyone keen to help us with the financial side of the club. I’m delighted to say that a potential understudy treasurer has come forward to work alongside Nigel Phipps. And Nigel is also in close contact with a member who has volunteered to be our new Reporting Accountant when Carew Reynell steps down later this year.

On the Inclusion front, Wendy Shipley, well-respected snowshoe and trekking leader who is an experienced kayaker too, has come forward to form a new team looking at the Club’s provision for our less able members. The team includes Toto Gronlund, Secretary of the Activities Team, Stephen Rogers whose focus is on “gentle activities” for anyone who prefers not to go too far or too fast, and new volunteer Catherine Evans. All these volunteers, both existing and new, form the engine which keeps the club travelling along, and we have a lot of fun working together. Please note the new Office address – see the foot of each page.

Return whence you came