Draft Minutes of the A.G.M. held at the Village Hall, 12 January 2010
P.
Sealey; D. &. P. Tarr; G. Tarr; J. Terry;
1.
Apologies
V.
Blitz; C. Brazington; P. Cox
; A.
Cargill; S & E. James; P. Lewis
2.
Minutes of A.G.M 13 January 2009
The
minutes for 2009 were signed as correct.
Proposed
– S. Gibson Seconded – G. Baker
3.
Matters Arising
There
were no matters arising.
4.
Correspondence
The
chairlady had received a letter from George Tarr resigning his post on
the committee due to other commitments. She thanked George for the hard
work he had put in over many years and said he would be sorely missed.
She hoped that he would continue to enter the shows.
5.
Chairlady’s Report
The
Chairlady reported that 2009 had started badly as our secretary, Vera Macaulay,
had been seriously ill and had later sadly died. A former secretary, Estella
Fryer, also died and the Society’s sympathies were sent to Vera’s family
and to Estella’s husband Godfrey. Vera’s illness was such that she was
unable to act as secretary, so the chairlady thanked Linda Dibley, George
Tarr and David Hatcliffe for taking over. She also thanked all committee
members for their support and all members who helped at meetings and shows
with selling raffle tickets, working in the kitchen and setting up and
putting away tables and chairs. She specifically thanked George Baker,
the previous chairman, for showing her the ropes, nudging her in the right
direction at times and for continuing to design and organise printing of
the programme and show schedules. She also thanked Anita Cargill who came
back onto the committee to replace a new member who had to drop out. Unfortunately,
other commitments mean Anita is unable to assist this year.
The
chairlady reported that some new members had joined in 2009 and she hoped
that they had enjoyed their year. Attendance at meetings had been variable
with an average of nearly 30, but attendance at the November meeting was
disappointing at only 18. She stressed that the question time after each
meeting was always interesting even if the main subject matter did not
appeal.
She
looked forward to an interesting programme of events in 2010, mentioning
the Summer outing to Hergest Croft and
6.
Treasurer’s Report
|
|
|
| Funds
at 1 December 2008 |
1504.98 |
|
Surplus
2009
|
133.81
|
|
Funds
at 30 November 2009
|
1638.79
|
The
Treasurer reported that the surplus for 2009 of £133.81 compared
with a deficit for 2008 of £71.84
Areas
with a significant deficit compared to 2008 were:
a.The
Spring Show which had a small loss compared to a £50 surplus in 2008.
This
was due to reduced receipts on the day from admissions, raffle sales and
teas.
b.Seed
schemes brought in £15 less due to a major reduction in Suttons sales.
c.The
plant sale receipts were substantially reduced.
d.Interest
on our Bank Savings Account reduced to virtually zero.
On
the plus side:
a.We
spent much less on administration items such as printing costs and very
little on items for future shows.
b.Some
significant income came from spring bulb sales - £64; a £38
refund from Parkers for the disappointing Silver Chimes bulbs and a £30
prize for our Berkeley Show entry.
c.Overall
membership decreased by one and subscription income increased by £48
following the recent increase.
Club
meetings costs were slightly less than 2008, but we did have one or two
low cost speakers and one free meeting at Highfield. The total cost of
running a meeting with a well known speaker like Reg Moule is in excess
of £100 – offset a little by raffle receipts.
Our
surplus this year has largely come from special items, so it seems breaking
even is probably the best that can be achieved. We may have to purchase
prize cards which are a significant one off cost. Otherwise we should have
another successful year.
As
in previous years, the accounts had been audited by Mr Gordon Tudor and
the Treasurer expressed his thanks on behalf of the Society.
He
then invited questions and there was some discussion following a point
raised by Peter Ballard as to the relative benefit of increasing the membership
subscription for 2008 bearing in mind that some members had subsequently
declined to renew.
The
treasurer concluded by referring to his twin roles – Treasurer and Secretary
- since the sad loss of Vera Macaulay and confirmed that he was now standing
down as Treasurer after 14 years. He thanked members for their support
over that time and said he was sure that his successor would continue to
keep the Society financially sound.
7.
Election of Chair and Vice-Chair
Chair
– Norma Griffiths
Proposed
– S. Hatcliffe Seconded – G. TarrElected
unanimously.
Vice-Chair
– Sue Gibson
Proposed
– P. Ballard Seconded – S. HatcliffeElected
unanimously.
8.
Election of Officers and Committee
The
following officers, holders of other posts and general committee were elected
unanimously.
Treasurer
– Linda Dibley
Proposed
–S. Gibson Seconded –
D. Porter
Secretary
– David Hatcliffe
Proposed
–L. Dibley Seconded –
G. Tarr
Social
Secretary – Sylvia Hatcliffe
Proposed
–S. Gibson Seconded –
B. Howell
Programme
Secretary – Carole Jeffes
Proposed
–S. Hatcliffe Seconded
– C. Howarth
Show
Secretary & Trophy Co-ordinator – Martin Dibley
Proposed
–L. Dibley Seconded –
S. Gibson
Judge
Co-ordinator – Pam Lewis
Proposed
–S. Gibson Seconded –
P. Ballard
Honorary
Auditor – Gordon Tudor
Proposed
–D. Hatcliffe Seconded
– S. Gibson
General
Committee - Phil Sealey; John Terry plus two new members: Diana Hall and
Tina Lees
Slimbridge
Village Hall Representative – Beryl Howell
Gloucestershire
Federation of Garden societies (GFGS) Representative – Sue Gibson
Slimbridge
Horse Show Representative – Sue Gibson
9.
Propositions
The
treasurer observed that the purpose of imposing a visitor’s charge was
not to make money, but rather to encourage visitors to join the Society.
It was generally agreed that a visitor’s charge should apply, but there
was considerable discussion as to the proposition wording. The following
revised proposition was proposed by D. Porter and seconded by G. Baker:
With
effect from the February 2010 meeting, adult visitors will be charged £2
for each member’s meeting attended. Refund of such charges, if the visitor
subsequently joins the Society, will be at the discretion of the Treasurer.
The
revised proposition was carried by 20 votes for to 2 against.
10.
Donations
After
some discussion, a vote was taken as to whether a charity donation should
be made. 13 members voted in favour with 5 against.
Discussion
then continued as to which charity to favour. Following a proposal by M.
Dibley, seconded by S. Gibson, it was finally agreed unanimously to donate
£50 to the Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA).
11.
Members’ Pot Plant Competition
Prizes
were awarded to:
1st
Norma Griffiths
2nd
George Baker
3rd
Carole Jeffes
12.
Any Other Business
-
P.
Ballard advised that following the table top competition at the 2009 Berkeley
Show the Gloucestershire Federation (GFGS) had decided to sponsor the competition
for a further three years. Full details will be circulated to all GFGS
member societies in a newsletter. Carole Jeffes has agreed to lead the
Slimbridge team in 2010.
-
P.
Ballard advised that the Federation were planning an annual sweet pea show
in association with the National Society. This was hoped to begin in 2011,
probably in the Fairford area.
-
The
chairlady advised that the next members’ meeting would be held in the Village
Hall on Tuesday 9th February at 7.30pm. Helen Lomberg will be giving a
practical demonstration of making willow hurdles. As before, there will
be a £3 materials charge for those wishing to make their own hurdles.
