It's been a busy start to the year with lots of new bookings including Messingham WI, the Cookridge and Horseforth U3A and the York Coronary Support Group Trust amongst others. One of the best bits about being a travelling speaker is meeting lots of nice new people from all walks of life.

I've also invested in a new projector; so many places I visit have their own large screen and my old projector, whilst fine for my portable screen, didn't make the best of the larger ones.

The new one, an Epson EB-X41, is  much more powerful and now guarantees the very best presentation possible, on even the largest screens.

For some of my bookings I will now be asking, rather than a fee, for a donation to one of two charities.

Late in 2017 I was diagnosed with Cancer and thankfully made a full recovery. However, in gratitude for all the work they do I have chosen Bowel Cancer UK as one of my chosen charities. The other charity I support is the Pontefract Music Festival, which with the help of a dedicated band of volunteers, and on a shoestring budget, have for the last 114 years brought a three day festival of music speech and drama to Pontefract and in so doing have encouraged numerous children to showcase their abilities in a professional environment.

I hope you will agree these are both worthwhile organisations and support them where appropriate.