From Our Magazine

President's Address to the AGM 2011 - Continued 2

That was intended to be my last thought, but I can't finish without saying a word or two about Tony Layton. Later in today's proceedings Society members will have their say, so this is just my little personal appreciation.

When I was invited to serve as President at the end of 1999, Tony was already in place, having succeeded to the chairmanship after the sad illness and death of our founder chairman, Arthur Starkie. I had little knowledge of the early years of the Society (or Club as it was originally) and no knowledge of the directions it was moving in. Tony briefed me very effectively then, as he has done for all the following twelve years.

He has been completely committed to the vision of our founder members and, in particular to broadening the scope of theatre visits, which has been something he has put a great deal of personal effort into. It is a matter of constant astonishment to me just how many tours this little Society of ours organises every year at home and abroad and what tremendous support these tours have. More recently Tony has taken us in a completely new and, in my opinion, most exciting new direction, with our series of annual seminars. The third one coming up this year in Leeds should be another great opportunity for the Society to make itself known to a wider public and to further advance the cause of theatre preservation. I hope, Tony, that even when you relinquish the chairmanship you will still be as engaged in the Society's work as you have been, to such effect, for the last dozen years.

When Tony and I have met to discuss current issues, I am invariably impressed by the calm, unflustered consideration he brings to the knottiest problems. He is very possibly the most imperturbable person I have ever known. If the threatened asteroid ever hits the earth and begins the destruction of civilisation as we know it, I want to be there to hear him say (after a suitable pause): 'I think that should probably be minuted'.

Thanks for everything, Tony!

John Earl

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