So, I tried, but it turns out we don't have the budget to get Bob Dylan for the freshers ball. This was extremely saddening to me however I know the commercial services team have come up with a great list of options already for alternatives. This is day one of the job for me - so the times actually are changing... which is my poor excuse for a music reference - and I already feel like there's a lot underway. The last couple of weeks of handover have been a whirlwind of meeting all the new contacts I will need this year, learning how to do the job itself, setting up meetings and agendas for what we want to accomplish in the next year and generally getting to know the rest of the Sabb and Staff team at the Union. I guess I ought to use this space to say a big thanks to all the outgoing Sabbs especially my predecessor; Kieron. A lot has been accomplished this year and there's a great platform in place now for me to build from.

This year I have a lot to try to accomplish. First on my agenda is live entertainment in Metric and our general provision for events at all of our licensed venues including H-Bar and Reynolds as well as the Union bar, 568 and Metric. Things have been moving forward on this for a while and I believe we finally have the team and the infrastructure in place for us to take a huge step forward. Secondly, I want to make sure I'm not forgetting Clubs, Societies and Projects. I put in my manifesto that I want to put in place a sponsorship scheme that bolsters Clubs' own efforts and hopefully attracts a range of new investments in as many of our Clubs and Projects as I can. I'll be starting that process next week so I'm definitely trying to hit the ground running.

For those of you that are away from campus for the summer I hope you're having a great time doing whatever you are up to; don't worry, we'll make sure everything is still here when you get back. For those of you doing a UROP here, continuing PG studies or generally just lingering in London; we're still here, the bars are open and we'll be working all Summer to make sure the coming year is the best we've had yet. So if you have any new ideas come and let us know; we're here to be your voice and to make it the Union you want it to be. And for anyone that's coming tonight; maybe I'll catch you at the GSU Picnic in the 'Secret Garden' behind Ethos at 17:00.

Enjoy the Summer sun while it lasts!
Alex