League Secretary's Notes
THE YPRES TIMES
25
musical selections were rendered by "The Enfield College of Music Orchestra" under
the kind and able direction of Mrs. Doris Lee Peabody, and this innovation was
much appreciated. The evening closed towards 11 p.m. to the resounding echoes of
the inevitable community singing of old war-time choruses, without which these
Reunions would not be complete. Altogether, an evening to be remembered, and
one upon which to resolve, by all possible means, to attend the next.
The excellent programme was organised by Captain H. D. Peabody, D.C.M.,
of the London County Committee, who is to be heartily congratulated on mustering
such a splendid array of talent.
It is fifteen to nineteen years since the events mentioned at the beginning of
this report. Far too long a period in a man's life not to be noticeable, hut long
enough to thoroughly test that wonderful spirit of Comradeship which is a legacy
from those now far off days. For proof that this spirit has most certainly survived
the ordeal of years, it is only necessary to attend these Annual Reunions to realize
that out of the Comradeship of the War has been born a lasting friendship to help
us through the difficult days of Peace.
IT would greatly facilitate the work at headquarters and at the same time avoid
unnecessary trouble and expense, if members changing their addresses would be
so good as to notify head office as early as possible of such change, because it
is disappointing when copies of The Ypres Times and other correspondence is
returned through the post marked "gone away" followed perhaps a year or two
later by letters from members revealing their new addresses and enquiring if the
Ypres Times is still in publication, in which case might they have the back numbers?
We regret that it is not always possible to accede to such a request. Firstly, because
in the case of annual subscribers, they have unintentionally allowed their subscriptions
to lapse, and secondly, when they do eventually renew it is very probable that back
editions of the journal, with the exception of an office copy, have become exhausted.
MANY members make it a practice to pay their five shillings subscriptions
months, and invariably a year, after they become due.
Certainly better late than neverbut it gives us no little anxiety despite
the established regulation of allowing members a year and two quarters editions of
the Ypres Times from the date of last payment due to the fact that annual payments
are made in advance. At the end of the two quarter's grace, names are automatically
removed from the membership register and the journal curtailed until such time as
the dues are received. This unlimited lapsed period causes headquarters a con
siderable amount of extra clerical work and also additional postage in addressing
a second and often a third reminder.
May we therefore respectfully appeal to all our staunch annual subscribers to
make every possible endeavour to pay their subscriptions at some convenient time
during the month in which the first reminders are received. We feel sure that
members will fully appreciate this earnest appeal from a business point of view, and
do all they can, from now on, to reduce the already heavy administrative work of
the League, accomplished by a minimum headquarter's staff of two persons, namely,
the Secretary and his faithful Assistant.
