Long-standing secretary of Harwich Society elected as a vice-president of the charity

It was standing room only at the Harwich Society annual meeting on Friday as the society officially became a charitable incorporated organisation.

As part of the move, the society is now managed by 12 trustees instead of its former executive committee.

Assistant secretary Colin Crawford did not wish to take up the position of a trustee and, in recognition of his long service, was elected as the society’s second vice-president.

Harwich Society chairman Colin Farnell said: “Colin Crawford’s contribution to the Harwich Society has been immense and he richly deserves to join Andy Rutter as a vice president.

“It also means that his wealth of knowledge and experience will still be available to us at Trustee meetings which is very important.”

After the formal business was completed more than 100 members were treated to a illustrated talk by the society’s vice-chairman David Whittle on the history of the train ferries.

His talk covered the origin of train ferries during the First World War and continued through to the closure of the Harwich Train Ferry service in 1987.

“There cannot be many local organisations that would attract over 100 members to the annual meeting but there are not many organisations that can offer David Whittle as the guest speaker,” added Mr Farnell.

“Having formally set the Harwich Society up for the future we then enjoyed learning about an important part of Harwich’s history. It was a great evening.”