Since my last notes, I was interviewed by Melita Dennett of Radio Surrey for an item on the Out With Katy show. The programme was broadcast across BBC Radio Oxford, Berkshire, Surrey, Sussex and Kent. The piece, which aired late last year, focused on the LGBTQ+ community in the great outdoors. I was able to talk about the GOC’s history, how it offered an alternative to the pub‑and‑club scene in its early days, and how it continues to provide a safe and welcoming way to enjoy the outdoors through the wide range of activities we now offer as a mature organisation. Unfortunately, the programme isn’t available on BBC Sounds.

Since then, we’ve held our scheduled board meeting on Saturday 10 January — and, because we had an abnormally full agenda, we followed it with a highly unusual additional meeting on Saturday 24 January. One of the key outcomes is that, after our next meeting on Saturday 14 March, once the minutes are approved, they will be made available on the GOC website. We will of course redact anything sensitive, but I hope this commitment to transparency will help members understand what being on the board involves.

Which brings me neatly to the positions currently unfilled. Ian Widdowson, who has done sterling work (yes, I know!) as treasurer, is stepping down. He has very generously offered to stay on until a successor is appointed and to support the handover. There are several other vacancies listed on the GOC website. To find them, log in, select My GOC, and in the text beneath your welcome message click Committee — you’ll see all current vacancies there (here).

I hope you haven’t been too affected by the recent deluge of rain, and I look forward to welcoming you aboard when you volunteer to help out.