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At the last SMR User Group held in York I made a suggestion regarding the future running of our Group. I would like to set up a small working group of SMROs, I would suggest one from each region as an ideal number. The working group will: Act as a more formal mechanism for sharing information between the ALGAO SMR Committee, the Portable Antiquities Working Group and SMROs Decide on topics, format and venues for future SMR User Groups The level of communication between SMROs is excellent thanks to the SMR Forum but links with ALGAO are adhoc and we would all benefit from the introduction of some structure. As SMROs we all need to feel that User Group such as, development of the SMR Manual, liaison with the Portable Antiquities Scheme etc are run effectively. I hope the instigation of a working group (I know, meetings about meetings!) is a way to ensure we are more than just talking shop. The group need not meet anywhere other than in e-space and they would ensure that more SMRs have their views represented in the national context. I should say this is not a bid to do Martin Newman out of a job, he will continue to take most of the credit for arranging User Group Meetings and acting as liaison between SMROs and EH. I am happy to see a debate on this idea on SMR Forum, but I would be even happier to have SMROs volunteer to sit on the Working Group. A Working Group should be formed by the end of August to plan for the next SMR User Group in November. Emma Jones Warwickshire SMR Officer