My dear CADS,
Greetings from the Chair, but from Manchester (looks a wee bit like Amsterdam…?). Sadly, this is my last newsletter. When I started in the role, the CADS newsletter had been more of a political commentary, probably because we were knee deep in Brexit. (It breaks my heart that 5 years later the pain of this dreadful decision has got no easier to bear or even to understand; how could we make such an error?)
March Meeting
Thank you for my super send off from CADS at the KIGC last Friday. 34 of you came along to say goodbye, and I was absolutely thrilled with my beautiful vase that you gave me as a parting gift. We had Leigh Turner, the novelist and ex UK Ambassador as our guest speaker – he was absolutely marvellous to listen to and the members present have already asked him back! He was on the BBC the next day commenting on the situation in the Gulf so he is clearly in demand elsewhere too!
Calendar of events – 2026
To help with planning ahead, here’s our event calendar for all of 2026. Please note a few dates are slightly off the usual 3rd Friday due to venue availability or public holidays.
We’re always looking for interesting speakers – so if you know someone compelling or would like to share a topic that would appeal to CADS yourself, do let us know! We don’t pay speakers, but we do thank them with a nice lunch and a bottle of something lovely.
Membership subs – 2026
Thank you to everyone for paying your 2026 subscriptions so promptly. Every 2025 member has signed up for 2026 – isn’t that super? One of the aims of CADS is to make charitable donations. If you know of a worthy cause, please tell us about it so that the Board can consider it for future support.
Next event
Our next event is on Friday April 24th at 12.30, at the KIGC in Amsterdam. Our speaker is Linda Seewald. Linda is a CADS Member, and she will present on “the Modern Clown – a master of poetry, absurdity, and a reflection of our society”.
Following the new automated process, signing up to a CADS event means you also pay for it straight away. It’s one and the same action instead of traditional two! You can sign up by clicking on the red button below (specifically for the April event) or by going to the CADS website and chosing the event under the calender of events. You have the choice of adding 1 ‘lunch product’ or several if you bring guests. Please make sure to add your (and your guest’s) name and email address manually otherwise you won’t be able to complete the order placement.
We’re still in the process of tweaking the site to make it more user-friendly. Please bear with us and get in touch if you’re experiencing difficulties signing up, chair@cads-amsterdam.org.
New Chair
Julia Heidstra will now take over as Chair. I leave you in very capable hands. She has made it super easy for me to resign, as she stepped up straight away and is already taking on the challenge. Julia will succeed in using ‘21st century’ communication methods to get more, and younger members in, to mix it up for us oldies, and she’s just a super person all round.
All the best with the role, Julia!
Thank you so much for all your ongoing support and enthusiasm (and the lovely vase!). I have absolutely loved and cherished my time as Chair. I wish Julia, the CADS Board, and all the CADS members – much success, health and happiness – tot straks!!
Au revoir!
