Retiring chairman's message.

After 8 years in the chair and 12 years as a member of the Group, I have decided to hand over the Chairmanship and Betty had agreed to move up from Vice Chair.
This was confirmed by the elections at the AGM recently.
However, I will continue as Administrator and agreed to be Vice Chair to add continuity to the Management Team.
The Team would appreciate a younger element within its ranks so that we can continue to grow, and, with around 550 members out there, there should be some who could support, and we are always looking to recruit more members.
The Group is for the benefit of all Liver patients and their families, and not just for Transplantees, as your current Team proves, since only two are of the latter.
The summer event had to be cancelled as only 10 members indicated they would attend, so this gave us no option, but it is hoped that the new venture for the pre-Christmas party will attract more takers.
I have enjoyed my time as Chairman, had many great times, and one I was very proud of was the 1,000th Transplant celebration at Alexandra Palace, also taking part in the Transplant Games and, to round it off, at the last Management Meeting, Betty presented me with a very nicely engraved clock which took me aback, but in thanking her it brought back lots of memories.
In closing, I thank the Management who have supported me over the years, the members who gave their support, and I look forward to seeing you at the various clinics and at the events we organise on your behalf.

Trefor s. Gore

Message from the Chair

We have had our own "transplant" within the LPSG in that, after eight years, Trefor has stood aside and I am the new Chair.
We all thank Trefor for his hard work and dedication to the Group. But thankfully we are not losing his services as he will remain a part of the Management Committee as Vice-Chair and Administrator.
Another change is that we welcome Esther Cavanagh as our new editor of Liverlink.
We intend producing a new-look Liverlink and as you will see, Esther has produced a varied list of suggestions to get this underway! Please do let us have items that can be shared with all.
Attendance at our recent events has been low.
We do understand that, for some of you, distance and travel make it difficult, but support is very much needed.
As in the past, we ask for your comments and ideas for future events. We will be more than happy to see what we can do.
Do not forget that these occasions give us all a chance to meet and enjoy our time together.
I look forward to meeting those who will be attending the Christmas Dinner and many more of you in 2010.
My best wishes to you all.

Betty Retford

From the Editor.

My first words as 'editor-for-a-trial-period-of-a-year' must be to thank Pamela Tasker who did such a fine job in the past two years, by giving new life to The Liverlink.
Her enthusiasm was evident in her unflagging efforts to cajole, encourage or goad us into sending material that would be of interest to all liver patients. Sincere thanks, Pamela.
As I go forward on the 'Liverlink Relay' track, grasping the baton passed on by Pamela, I count on your support as I try to run with it.
This issue is less varied than usual but it can serve as a link between the Spring 2009 Liverlink and what I hope will be a 'bumper' Spring 2010 issue. I trust you share my optimism!
Please get involved and send me some material, even just short paragraphs or items of information you would like to share with others.
There must be lots of creativity out there, so now it just remains for me sit back and to wait for all your articles to come pouring in! Don't worry if you feel diffident about writing. I'll be happy to touch things up, without changing the content, of course.

Esther Cavanagh

LPSG AGM 2009

The Annual General Meeting of the Liver Patients' Support Group took place on Sunday, 27th October 2009, with an attendance of 11 members (and 55 apologies).

During the meeting, elections for the Management Committee took place.
The results were as follows:

• Chair - Betty Retford
• Vice-Chair - Trefor Gore
• Membership - Carol Stephens
• Min. Secr. - Sue Gore
• Members: Joan Crosby, Jane Franklin, Mina Karamshi, Jimmy Higgins (Web Master).

The Chairman spoke of the passing away of Beryl Clover who had been a great stalwart of the group. He also mentioned the resignation of the Treasurer and of the Editor of The Liverlink (Pamela Tasker), and the acceptance of Esther Cavanagh as editor on a trial basis for one year.
It is hoped that a volunteer may come forward to take over as Treasurer.
Meanwhile, the Chairman had completed the accounts for 2008-2009, to be passed to an Auditor and to the Charity Commissioners. Total assets amount to £47,194.46, to which must be added a legacy from Beryl Clover, amount not yet specified.
It was confirmed that all future meetings would be on Tuesdays, and the calendar for the remainder of the year and next year was distributed to the Management Team.
Betty Retford, the new Chairman, said a few words on Trefor Gore, the retiring Chairman, and presented him with an engraved carriage clock on behalf of the members.