Chairman’s Haul Down Report, given at the JCS AGM on 17 November 2017 by Sir James Perowne
This is a sad day as I hand over the Chairmanship of the JCS after 11 years. Pippa Hare as Hon Sec asked me if I would take on the role in the summer of 2006. In a weak moment I said yes!
I had been a member of the JCS since 1994 when I was recruited by Zaz when she was taking passage from the Falklands to South Georgia for her first visit to her grandfather’s grave, but I only had been to a very few lecture evenings from then until 2006.
Just to remind you the Society was founded by Harding Dunnett in 1994 and a number of the early committee members are here tonight: Anthony Harvey, the first Hon Treasurer, Margaret Slythe, Terry Walsh, Jan Piggott, and The Venerable Robin Turner. We owe much to them, and also to Dulwich College, for which I thank the Master, Dr Joe Spence, and in particular John Bardell who has done so much to support us and arrange the dinner evenings.
We also owe much to Zaz Shackleton who is our best recruiting sergeant and a tireless campaigner for all things Shackleton. Zaz, your tireless energy does so much to sustain the JCS and I am most grateful.
Pippa Hare was our Hon Sec for 27 years. She has just stood down but is still a member of the Committee. Pippa, I thank you so very much for all you have done to support four previous Chairmen and me and we have a small gift to present to acknowledge all your hard work for the JCS over so many years.
While on the Dunnett family, I must also thank Roddy who for years managed the website and has done much to help the transition to the new website. He also acts as the font of knowledge about all things Shackleton. Also Alastair and Ginny Woodrow who have been significant benefactors to the Society and the Centenary celebrations in particular.
When I took over from Patrick Fagan, I took over a Society in very good heart and about to celebrate the Nimrod Expedition with a ball. I could not have had an easier transition into the Chair than from Patrick and I am very grateful to him. Also to Calista Lucy, the College Archivist who allowed us to meet in her office and who again did so much to support the JCS.
There are two members of the committee now who were there when I joined: David McLean, and Stephen Scott -Fawcett who edits the Journal so well. I must also acknowledge the present Committee of Tony Parker as Hon Treasurer, Andy Kinniburgh, the new Hon Sec, and Janice Tipping who takes the Minutes so well. They are carrying on the good work of the Founders in keeping the JCS on a firm footing. Recently standing down from the Committee is Robert Irvine who did so much to clarify the Membership List and pass email and postal addresses when we were sending invitations to the Centenary; also Roger Slade who does so much on Education by working with schools to share the Shackleton story. Last but by no means least, a big thank you is due to Dorothy Wright who edits the Newsletter and helps with the website.
In my time as Chairman we have gone from the Nimrod Ball to the Endurance Centenary. I have been so lucky to have these major events during my tenure and, like all of you who were at that very special Service in Westminster Abbey, I would like to thank UKAHT and Philippa Foster Back, Chair of the Committee which put all that together. It was a great mutual effort and I am most grateful.
There are many others who have supported me during my time as Chairman and if you have not been mentioned it is not because I am not most grateful for your help but time is limited.
I am also very grateful to Rear Admiral Nick Lambert for taking over the position as Chairman. Again there is much to look forward to: the 25th Anniversary of the founding of the JCS in 2019, the Quest Expedition centenary in 2021 and the centenary of Sir Ernest’s death in January 2022. Nick is very well suited to take on this post and I wish him and the Society all the very best for the future; I know it will continue to thrive.
Thank you to all the Members of the JCS for your support over the last 11 years.