Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust Limited ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2002

This is a name which will be unfamiliar to members who are not Directors. Patrick is a retired business consultant who has specialised in major fund-raising projects which have included finding finance for projects in schools and cathedrals country-wide. He has a great depth of knowledge in this specialised area and has a great enthusiasm for what he does.

We came to know Patrick through the good offices and generosity of our Vice-President, David Suchet. At the time that the Suchet Appeal was launched David offered to finance a fund-raiser to help the Trust (the sum involved is quite considerable). Consequently, we had private briefings with Patrick at his Thames-side home at Shepperton. He agreed to take on the Trust and subsequently spent more than three days in the Lichfield/Cannock area getting to know the project and the people. He attended a Trust Council Meeting and outlined what he hoped he could do for us.

Within a month we received what we now call "The Harrison Report". This has given us a great deal to think about concentrating, as it does, on our organisation and structure rather than on the details of fund-raising. We have already held one meeting to consider the report and will meet again in 2002 to take matters forward. It may be some time before members see the outcome of our deliberations but I am sure that, ultimately, the Trust will see great benefits both in organisational efficiency and in attracting new funds.

Brian Kingshott Chairman

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