As a new year of 'Napoleonicing' commences may I take the oppor-tunity to welcome 'The Napoleonic Association' to our ranks. I feel sure that their input will be of benefit to all and that much of our 'stuff' will benefit them.

Having just returned from their A.G.M. at Worcester, I must say that despite suffering from the 'Gestapo - like' removal of my two big toe nails the day before which bought on many grimaces and a severe headache, I managed to meet some very interesting people not least a young man who managed to educate me in the art of uniform construction in less than 10 minutes - did you know that a British Infantryman's tunic was waterproof owing to the methods of material construction etc? Well if you did you are probably in the N.A. and know him, if you didn't it, then this and any other information that can only be gleaned by practical use, helps to put a new perspective on certain matters. Lie back and enjoy all that may come our way.

I must also take time to allay the fears of parties from all sides, First Empire has not become the property of, nor the magazine of, the N.A. Neither do I or it now hold any position - political or otherwise - within the NA. The link between First Empire and the N.A. now exists for several reasons - primarily to inform all persons interested in matters Napoleonic, what is going on, where it is going on and who is doing it, (and maybe why!). Also First Empire provides a forum for debate and discus-sion (as it always has) to which all readers have access.

Obviously there are commercial considerations that affect both parties, it is anticipated that as First Empire expands so will the N.A. and vice - versa.

To all our new N.A. readers I say welcome and I feel sure our coexistence will be a happy one.