What a strange new world we have been inhabiting these last 6 months! And the year started off so well – first of all with our AGM on 16 January seeing the election of a new President, Anna Shackleford. After 3 years at the helm Heather felt it was time to stand down but will by no means be putting her feet up as far as CSF is concerned – as well as continuing in her role as a trainer, she is also taking on the role as Active Listener Support. The role of an Active Listener (AL) can be emotionally demanding, and Heather will be looking after the psychological well-being of our Active Listeners and providing a confidential ear for any concerns they may have.
Anna will be ably assisted during her term of office by Vice-President, Philippe Mika and Co Vice-President, Jo Treanor along with the existing Bureau plus new Membership Secretary, Rachel Galloway. In her acceptance speech. Anna outlined her thoughts for the year ahead and at the first Bureau and Council meetings in January and February respectively; plans were made for a breast cancer discussion group in March, our now legendary Spring market in April, and a series of ‘CSF at the Caff’ sessions to be held initially in Cahors, Gourdon and Prayssac.
At the beginning of March, our Association was well represented at the CSF National AGM in Limoges by Anna Shackleford, Philippe Mika, Heather Moorhead and of course, our own Pat Lockett wearing her National President hat! It is always so good to meet up with other Associations, to compare and contrast what each do and there was much lively debate on where CSF is going and how we can improve on the service we offer to those suffering from, or affected by cancer.
And then came Lockdown Day – on 17 March we entered uncharted territory. Everyone will have used their own coping mechanisms for dealing with the Covid-19 situation and CSF National swung into action and offered an extended service to lend a sympathetic ear to any Anglophone in France who was suffering adversely from the effects of life under lockdown. We were, of course, more than happy to answer the call to arms of this initiative. Furthermore, we are pleased to report that those people we are currently supporting have experienced uninterrupted treatment and procedures for their conditions, so ‘chapeau’ to the French medical facilities here in the Lot, and further afield.
Throughout this period Anna has kept members of our Association abreast of latest developments, by sending out emails detailing the contents of the latest Presidential or Prime Ministerial broadcasts, drawing on the excellent resumés issued by the British Embassy in Paris and adding her own personal messages.
Naturally, all planned events had to be cancelled but with the aid of technology, we had online Bureau and Council meetings as scheduled in April, May and June. It was wondeful to see all our members online and to realise that the positive and enthusiastic spirit that permeates our Association was undimmed, and all are looking forward to a time when we can meet up again in person and resume some kind of normal timetable. We are tentatively making plans for the Autumn but so much will depend on the ever-evolving Covid-19 situatio, so, in the meantime, we are set to enjoy the summer within the constraints which the government and common sense dictate.