YHACS Celebrates 10 years of achievements

Nearly 30 members of societies from across the region attended the YHACS 10th Anniversary Lunch in the splendid surroundings of Ashville College, Harrogate on Saturday, 7th November.

Organised for YHACS by Mike Burke, diners enjoyed a delicious three-course meal with wine, and took the opportunity to meet friends and colleagues in a relaxed atmosphere.
Unfortunately, YHACS chairman Peter Cooper was unable to attend, so the event was 'hosted' by Kevin Trickett who acted as MC and introduced guest speaker, Dr Kevin Grady, Director of Leeds Civic Trust who told the story of how YHACS had been set up with himself as the original chair calling the very first meeting in November 1999.

Dr Grady praised the current committee for all they did and for their efforts in raising the profile of the civic society movement in the region. In particular he highlighted the work done by former YHACS employees Katie Stewart in helping to establish new societies in Bradford, Sheffield and Barnsley, and David Rhodes for helping to organise the successful 'Up for the Challenge' conferences in 2006. He concluded his remarks by toasting YHACS and the next 10 years.

After lunch, Kevin Trickett then chaired the Members' meeting, welcoming a further 20 members who were attending just for the afternoon session.
A welcome address from Andrew Fleck the Headmaster of Ashville College, was followed by a presentation from Kevin on the Civic Society Initiative's "Own the Future" report, which then led to a debate on how societies viewed the arrangements for a new national body.
A short tea break was then followed by the presentation of the Civic Societies Week awards by Peter Spawforth.

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