Thank you for all turning up last Sunday. It was, for me, the best day of its kind since my wedding day, when I had almost all of the people I cared most about, all together in one place. Last Sunday felt exactly like that. It was an absolutely wonderful day. I am grateful and humbled that so many people took the time to come along.

Thank you to Huw, the committee and every committee member who has been a friend, always there to offer advice and common sense when I needed it most.

Thank you to Molly, Andrea, Tom, Emily and Jacques for making sure I could enjoy the day.

Molly and Andrea and I have been working together for years. I shall miss them very much (but not so much the nagging xx ; )

Thank you to “The Old Fartonians” and every other supporter, my constant companions every Saturday. The pleasure has been all yours.... :-) ;-) ;-) and mine, of course!

Thank you for my wonderful leaving presents. They were not expected and are so very much appreciated. The lovely book had me in tears!! I love the guitar. Mine was getting a bit careworn after falling off chairs, bar stools and tables at 1130pm on a Saturday, singing along with the best bunch of lads and lasses I have ever met. We've had some craic, eh?

Thank you for some of the best and funniest memories I've ever had, (including the ones I can't remember!!!). Love you all, brothers and sisters. xxx

Thank you for the stunning amount that you collected. I was genuinely taken completely aback. Karla and I have been hoping to go to western Canada for a trip of a lifetime for a few years now but could never quite justify it. Your incredibly generous gift will go a very long way towards when we decide to do it, hopefully next year. I'll take an A&C pennant and send loads of pictures of us with it, everywhere we go!

Finally, thank you once again for a wonderful nine and a half years. I'd never been part of an organisation where everyone volunteered so much out of the kindness of their heart, week after week, for the good of others.

I'd never seen parents in their hundreds, week after week, showing such love for their children of every age by being here, supporting them in all weathers and circumstances. That's why your kids are such a credit to you. They are funny and kind, well-mannered and respectful and an absolute delight to be around. Of course they are... they’re just like all of you.

When life is getting you down, just come up here and look around on a Saturday and Sunday. It makes it impossible to be cynical or down hearted about children, people, the world or life itself when you see how wonderful kids are, how good, decent, considerate and kind people are, and how this place brings out the best in them, every single weekend.

The last years have been the best years of my working life. Thank you so much.

I will miss everybody more than I can possibly explain. Hope to see you all over in Harpenden very soon.

Love to all,

Derek x