When I was offered the chance to become the President of the Association, I had no hesitation in accepting. How else could I react to the opportunity of joining such a distinguished list of predecessors? The list, which includes G. H. Hardy, Arthur Eddington and G. N. Watson contains almost all of the eminent UK mathematicians and educationalists of the twentieth century. So for the honour that you bestowed on me, thank you very much indeed. It wasn’t deserved, but it was hugely enjoyable and rewarding.