Our annual conference takes weeks of organising, so it is always good to hear members go away saying the best ever! The AGM covered a possible change of name for the NAMB and you will soon receive a letter asking for your thoughts it is your association and your views count.

There was healthy debate, first-time attendees and the return of an old member. It was lovely to see families, with 13 children attending a fantastic fun night.

We do encourage members to bring the next generation of bakers to these events, thereby ensuring a flow of new people and ideas on to the board. Our oldest regional president, 84-year-old Arnold Brown, brought some light-hearted humour to the AGM, especially when he was introduced as "Gordon Brown".

Sunday morning saw two excellent speakers: Kevin Binns from Puratos on ’Bakery and it’s Guiltiest Pleasures’; and John Slattery from Slatterys of Whitefields, Manchester, who showed the audience a quick way to ensure the windows were full of different products every day, with quality that most bakers envy and prices most bakers can only dream of. For those who went away with just one idea to help their bottom line, the event was worth it.

To our sponsors, on behalf of our new president Clive Williams, a big thank you for your support.

I look forward to seeing you at the lovely Majestic Hotel in Harrogate, 4-6 May 2012.

Gill