I trust you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year break.

As I write, I am recovering from an operation to remove my gallbladder and still feeling rather sore.  However, each day is better than the last and I shall be out and about tomorrow and see how I go.  2004 can only be an improvement on the last couple of years, so I welcome it.  Thank you, all those people who offered me help and phoned me up to make sure I was OK.  Modern keyhole surgery is wonderful and recovery quick, so there is no need for extensive aftercare – just a couple of days in bed and a few more taking it quietly, and you are fine again.  I can thoroughly recommend it.

The Rugby Club seem to be holding their own in Herts Middlesex 1.  Sport is strong in Datchworth, so our young folk should keep fit with so much on offer. 

It is also encouraging to note that the Datchworth Society will be taking an increasing interest in future planning applications.

I still have not got to grips with the vagaries of a different printer and will, in a couple of weeks, have the added complication of coping with a new computer and upgraded Windows package (a Christmas present from my son).  My logic, unfortunately, never seems in harmony with computer logic.  No doubt I shall eventually get the hang of the new-fangled machine and things will improve, but you might have to be patient for a while!  (And I can only hope your patience is greater than mine.)

Just a little nag - - - Could you please send anything that you want included in the mag. in black and white format if possible as it prints out more clearly.  We only use colour for the front cover in December to keep printing costs down.

And how lovely to hear from Kath and Peter Lord.