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We had a good turnout for the AGM and 'live' auction which followed - some 23 members and guests in all. The meeting started with the President leading a moments silence in memory of members and past members who had died during the year. The AGM started with Approval of the minutes of the 54th meeting with no matters arising and apologies. These were followed by reports from the Hon. Treasurer, Hon. Secretary, Packet Secretary, London Meetings Organiser, Newsletter Editor, Membership Secretary, Publicity Officer and the Newsletter Despatch. The salient points from these reports were as follows. The President (Peter O'Keeffe) recorded the names of some of those members or former members who had died during the year. He went on to say that we had had a good variety of displays over the past twelve months with the highlight being the weekend away in Peterborough during last October. He thanked the various officers and committee for all their hard work in ensuring the smooth running of the Society. As well as thanking various officers by name he made special thanks to Keith Tranmer who was stepping down as Membership Officer. In presenting his report the Treasurer (Peter Jenkinson) stated that income was down slightly on last year, but was pleased to report that expenditure had been roughly in line with budget predictions. Although we ended with a deficit this was due to planned exceptional expenditure (the Peterborough weekend, special Jutland Journal and a large purchase of books for the Library). The overall position was healthy with good budgetary control. Although he predicted deficits over the next few years (some years greater than others) he thought these could be absorbed by the Society before it would be necessary to seek an increase in subscriptions. The Secretary (Michael Dobbs) stated that his main tasks had been the preparation of the Supplement and providing regular updates to Karl Winkelmann for our website. He had sent out the occasional e-news updates which appeared to have been well received. He had also helped dispose of the late Ben Ferguson's accumulation and was also involved in sorting and transferring the magazine collection from John Daynes to our Librarian. He reminded members about Midpex this year and requested volunteers to help on the Society stand. Finally the Secretary referred to the successful weekend away in Peterborough and stated that it was a most enjoyable affair with some fine displays, auction, bourse and book sale. He had already written a report on the event which appeared in our Winter Supplement and is on our website. However, he wish to record once again our thanks to both John Daynes and Nick Martin for organising the event. The Packet Secretary (Ian Muchall) reported that during the year 19 packets had been circulated with a value of £11,000 and this resulted in a gross profit of £371 realised for the Society. A further 4 packets had recently completed circulating and he was due to post more packets later that month. With increased postal charges Ian was intending to ensure that packets contained a substantial amount of good material. He will be circulating a questionnaire to members on the circuits (approximately 50) seeking their views on ways to improve the service. As usual he would welcome good quality material for inclusion in future packets. The London Meetings Organiser (John Daynes) stated that meetings had gone reasonably well with an average attendance of 15 members per meeting (excluding Peterborough weekend) and the largest number was 18 at the Postcards & Leaflets meeting in January, followed by 17 to the President's Afternoon in March this year and the All-day meeting last September. As previously mentioned the Peterborough weekend was a great success. In closing John thanked Alistair for advice and help on subjects outside of his particular area of expertise. Our Librarian (Nick Martin) reported that he had purchased a large quantity of books, in excess of 100, for the Library and that he was almost in a position to publish the Library List. This would go on our website and he would be willing to copy extracts for members without internet access. Loans during the year numbered between 20-30 books with half a dozen regular borrowers and he had received a number of enquiries for both books and research. Colin Tabeart, our Journal Editor, could not be with us but submitted a report in which he said he could hardly believe that he was about to put to bed his tenth Journal - and commented that time flies when you are enjoying yourself ! Actually it would be 11 issues including the Jutland special and he thanked Nick Colley in this respect. He concluded that we appeared to have a reasonable balance of articles over the last few issues but warned that with the Summer issue (No 272) virtually completed at the time of writing his report his locker of articles was disturbingly thin. He was, therefore, appealing for more articles - and if you feel you cannot put together a full article how about "My favourite cover" or even "My worst buy" ! For personal reasons he would be putting together both the Autumn and Winter editions of the Journal during August otherwise the Winter edition would be a lot later than usual - and was in need of lots of fodder and fast ! His offer to make a CD of the last two years' worth of Journals did not seem to strike a chord with members - he received only two requests, which had been actioned. In closing he hoped members would continue to enjoy the Journal for the next 12 months - he said that feedback and criticism was always welcome. The Membership Secretary (Keith Tranmer) stated that during the year we have had a trickle of new members. Most applications came from our Internet presence, as did an increasing number of queries from non-members. However, membership kept ahead of losses through deaths and resignations. In closing he wished his successor well and hoped that he would not find the job too demanding. The Journal Despatcher (Alistair Kennedy) gave a breakdown of the Journals despatched during the year (4 issues together with the Jutland Supplement) and detailed figures on the last Journal in terms of numbers despatched (322 - this included exchange and complimentary copies). Distribution of exchange and complimentary copies had been reduced by six, but the National Library of Wales decided to exercise its statutory right to receive copies of our Journal. The new "Pricing in Proportion" postal charges introduced in August 2006 benefited the Journal as it fell into the standard large letter category for which the 2nd class postage rate was slightly cheaper than the previous rate. However, new postage rates effective from 2 April 2007 introduced increases in both inland and overseas rates - approximately £18 per year. The Secretary reminded members of the Harry Cope Award for Literature and invited nominations from the membership - the closing date being 1 September 2007. The President is called upon to award the Alan Brown Trophy each year at his discretion. Peter O'Keeffe announced that after careful consideration he awarded the Trophy to Nick Colley for his outstanding work on the 90th Anniversary of the Battle of Jutland which appeared as a "Special" edition of the Journal. The financial statements (accounts) were put to the membership for acceptance. John Daynes asked if monies owing to Walter Bjork had been paid. The Secretary stated that we no longer had a current address for him. The Treasurer recounted a large sum of cash being sent to him. However, a check will be made to ensure that any monies owing are at least identified. Alistair Kennedy proposed and Albert Coles seconded that the accounts be accepted. All agreed. All officers resigned at the AGM and were eligible for re-election; with the exception of the Membership Officer and London Meetings Organiser posts all were willing to stand again and Derek Ransom proposed and John Leathes seconded that with those two exceptions they all be re-elected en-bloc - all agreed. The President remarked that Keith Tranmer was standing down after 20 years in the post and offered to the membership the services of Martin Hopkinson from Cornwall and who had travelled to the meeting - all agreed. Peter High had volunteered to undertake the London Meetings Organiser post - all agreed. Both duly elected. The meeting elected three Committee members as follows: Nick Colley, John Daynes and Keith Tranmer. The Publicity Officer post remained vacant. The Secretary presented a paper on the future of the President's Cup - the second base was now getting full and we had to decide on what to do for the future - a larger base to accommodate all existing and future names; a new Cup and retain the existing for "special occasions" or a medal (along the lines of the Harry Cope medal) and retain existing cup for display only. The meeting agreed the latter option and the President agreed to get in touch with Toye, Kenning & Spencer Ltd who held the dies for the Harry Cope award. Peter High stated that at Peterborough suggestions had been put forward for our next weekend away - in 2008. Suggestions included London and the Lake District. The latter invitation had come from Andy Brooks. It was agreed to accept the Lake District invitation (Secretary's Note: I have made contact with Andy Brooks and he is willing to organise a venue in Lancaster and will liaise with Peter High). |