Winter is now a distant memory, and I'm pleased to report that the club is recovering. Audience numbers are building up again, we've had a donation of jazz CDs to sell, raffle prizes keep appearing and raffle proceeds continue to cover our basic expenses. Our core group of musicians still travel from as far afield as Darlington and Wakefield, and we generally have the  support of other players to cover absences, for example John Jacobsen from Cottingham played clarinet at the January session. We have also attracted some guest musicians - during the evening they join the full band for a few numbers and we are always pleased to have them, whatever their experience. In April, guests were Mark Gerrard on banjo and then Dave Clark on ukulele. In March, a hotel guest from Scotland, Justine, told us she was making a CD with a variety of backing groups, including jazz rhythm group, brass band and pipe band, with the aim of raising £10,000 for the Marie Curie charity. We persuaded her to join us for 'Amazing Grace' - one of her intended tracks - and wished her success in her project.

            I reported in the last Beacon that clubmember Amy Ward has been named the 2010 'Fundraiser of the Year' by the Jazz Yorkshire organisation, but had been unable to attend the Halifax presentation ceremony because of the atrocious December weather. Well, they forwarded the framed certificate in time for our February meeting and it was formally presented to her by another key member of our raffle team, Gordon Clithroe. Once again, Amy, 'Congratulations!'.

            We have again been invited to play at Barnsley Jazz Club. It will have happened by the time you read this, so more details in the next Beacon.

 Wilson Hepplestone, Secretary.