Xmas is now over, and I hope you all had a very merry time, and I now wish you a happy and prosperous New Year. Last year our Silver Jubilee will certainly be a year to be remembered, with all the celebrations and activities took place, our Xmas Concert performed by Todd Miller and the ladies and gentlemen of the Joe Loss Orchestra proved to be the best we could have ever had wished for to end this fantastic year, so I do hope you will enjoy our supplement about the Jubilee Cruise and memories will be re-kindled of those delightful days and evenings on board.

The first event to take place in 2007 will be a KentARA recommended 5 day break at Warners Lakeside, Hayling Island that starts on Easter Monday the 9th April and is inclusive of coach, insurance and 2 excursions, cost £219.00 and only £10 to reserve a place. Full details from Grand UK on 01603-886740.

KentARA AGM on Monday 16th April will be very interesting again, and all clubs should be represented, as they could be winners of Holidays, Coach outings etc for their members from our £3,000 free raffle drawn on the day. ARAs that have reached their 21 years (7) will be presented with a certificate of achievement.

For the dancing fans, we have a Big Band Dance at Ditton on the 5th May again with Todd Miller and the Joe Loss Orchestra. My own Tea Dance will be on the 25th May with the B&D Dance Studios featuring Ballroom, Sequence and Line dancing, see advert inside. Collette Worldwide Holidays, one of our corporate members, have offered a few of our members to join them on a special escorted 8 day holiday to Sicily, cost £802 with no single supplements, full details have been sent to all ARAs Secretaries. (See write up inside).

Thomson Holidays, thanks to our successful cruise, have now been added to our recommended companies, please note that I O W Tours have been taken off. The KentARA web site has been well received with requests from the public of their nearest club, lots of these requests came from East Kent where most of our older clubs are to be found, and need new members. Remember you can list your special events, and photos on our Web Site.

KentARA starts this new year full of confidence for the future, we grow larger every year, and even managed to open three more new clubs during our busy Silver Jubilee Year. We are financially sound, and have an exceptional team who work together, and who are not afraid of Hard Work, even if it is above their normal duties, I would like to thank them all, but would like to add, we must not rest on our laurels. Take care. God Bless.
Gerald Benham. Chairman.