I met Portsmouth North Chair Norma Clacey at last year’s AGM & Conference up in Coventry and so was delighted to be invited down to visit her group’s 2010 AGM.

The Portsmouth area at one time had up to eight groups operating but due to diminishing numbers a fair few of them have now closed down. However, this has brought rewards to the remaining groups as members have transferred their support to them. So as a consequence Portsmouth North has at least 50 members listed and the nearby Southsea Group has 60.

After being met by Norma at Portsmouth Harbour I was treated to a scenic tour of the city taking in the beautiful old quarter, smart promenade and the Spinnaker Tower before we pit stopped for a lovely lunch in a pub just around the corner from where the group meets.

Portsmouth North meet regularly in a lovely church hall next to what used to be a military church. With plenty of space, a massive kitchen and entrance foyer, it is perfect for a group of this size.

The format part of the AGM began just after 2pm with the various reports from members of the committee. Listening to these I was able to see very clearly just how hard working and proactive the members were (they had a packed 2009 programme and have already got the first half of their 2010 activities sorted out).

After the raffle (in which I was lucky enough to win a book of stamps) the meeting broke for tea and biscuits before I was called upon to deliver a short talk about my work as avanti editor (which I hope went down well with the assembled multitude). The meeting was brought to a close with the singing of the National Anthem after which Norma kindly deposited me at Havant railway station for my return home.

Report filed by avanti editor David Tickner