The 2016 winter meeting was held in Newcastle upon Tyne on 15-17th January. It started with a reception and dinner on the Friday evening, and the society joined with the Natural History Society of Northumbria for a lichen herbarium evening with a display of specimens and books from their collection. As usual the AGM was on the Saturday morning, at Newcastle University, and this was followed in the afternoon by a programme of talks. On the final day 25 members and friends gathered for a field trip to Wallington Hall in Northumberland and enjoyed a great day out in the snow.
There have been quite a few changes to Council this year. Allan Pentecost has started his two year term as President, with Paul Cannon as Vice President, but Janet Simkin remains on Council as Past President and will continue to be a member of several committees. The role of Secretary has been taken on by Pat Wolseley and Sandy Coppins as a job share, Fay Newbery has taken over as chair of EPC, and Heidi Doring as chair of MSC. We also have three new elected members of Council - Niall Higgins, Tracy Lovering and Tim Wilkins. This new team have much to do!