You will forgive me if this is brief this morning, but I had some very sad news last evening that has left me shaken.  Sammy, the venerable member, was killed in a car accident in Dumfries on Friday.  A long standing member of the MAA he was a true character, irreplaceable, irrepressible and I will miss his humour and kindness dreadfully.  He was a truly brave man having survived a theatre of war which claimed the lives of so many of his comrades.  As a proud Lancaster pilot he was one of Harris's heroes who deserved far better than their country gave them.  My thoughts go out to his widow who is critically ill in hospital and to his family.  He will remain dear to me.

Ian