1. In the absence of the Chairman (Brian Gibbs), due to illness, the Chair was taken by the Secretary (Brian Goodall) who gave a report on the year supplied by the Chairman. The ‘highs’ of the year were the good calendar of demonstrators, the club’s stewardship of the AWGB stand at ‘WOODEX’, the School Fair in May, the demonstration at Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens, the Club Open Day in August, the bi-annual AWGB Seminar, Greg Miller’s Remembrance Poppy dish which was highly praised at the AWGB Seminar and is now in the AWGB travelling Exhibition, Keith Lanchester’s first full day demonstration and this prompted us to hold an AWGB Sponsored Demonstrator Training Day, the new format of the Christmas Social with Malcolm Thorpe’s Lace Bobbin talk and Demonstration, the new Committee members and those who assisted in club duties and finally the new Newsletter format. The lows were the deaths of Geoff Wolverton and Jim Whitehead, John Witham standing down from the position of Booking Secretary ( thanks were expressed for his hard work) and losing Dave Wilcox to pastures new, a loss to the AWGB as well, his forward thinking and enthusiasm will be greatly missed.
2. Apologies were received from Brian Gibbs, Dave Nash, Ed. Cheshire, Chris Archer.
3. Approval of Minutes of 2009 AGM was proposed by Ken Beresford seconded by Keith Lanchester and carried unanimously.
4. Matters Arising. There were no matters arising from last year's minutes.
5. Financial Statement and Treasurer’s Report. The Treasurer (Les Saunby) reported that the income for the year showed and increase over last year which was due to the introduction of the membership fee, the increase in expenditure was due in part to an increase in the room hire and also due to cheques not cashed in the year of issue. The adoption of the accounts was proposed by Ken Beresford and seconded by Keith Lanchester.
6. Election of Officers. The Chairman (Brian Gibbs) had intimated that he wished to stand down but if there no volunteers he was willing to be re-elected for one more year only. There were no volunteers and Brian was re-elected. The Committee had decided that if this happened the post of Vice-Chairman would be created to enable someone to shadow Brian with the view to taking over the Chairmanship next year. A request for a volunteer to take this position was put to the meeting and Tim Davies offered to do take on the role, this was carried unanimously. Les Saunby was re-elected as Treasurer, Peter Timms was re-elected as Booking Secretary and Brian Goodall was re-elected as Secretary, all three were elected unanimously. Ken Beresford volunteered to serve on the Committee. Peter Ford said that he would stand down as the position of Librarian was no longer required.
7. The club voted to remain as a branch of the AWGB.
8. Nominations for post of Regional Rep. on AWGB Executive Committee. There were no nominations.
9. Meeting Day Fees. The Treasurer proposed that these would remain at £10.00 for a full day and £3.00 for a ‘Hands On’ day, this was approved by all.
10. Format of Meeting and 2011 programme. A discussion took place in which the general opinion was that the ‘Hands On’ days should be longer, possibly from 10 am until 4.00 pm., that the club lathes should be available for members. It was proposed by Tim Davies and seconded by Malcolm Thorpe that the 2011 programme should be six demonstration days and six longer ‘Hands On’ days, this was approved unanimously. It was suggested that the new longer format should be tried during the coming year. It was suggested that a topic for the ‘Hands On’ days should be decided beforehand.
Treasurer’s Note: The additional cost of funding the longer format will be £162.00 per annum.
11. AWGB Demonstrator Training. The participants in the first training day stated that they all enjoyed the day and found it very worthwhile. Keith Lanchester on behalf of the participants thanked the Committee for organising the day. The Secretary said that the Club would be holding another Training Day and asked if there were any more volunteers. A follow-up Training day will be arranged as soon as the AWGB have one available.
12. Own Member’s Demonstration Fee. After some discussion, a proposal by Malcolm Caine, seconded by Ken Beresford, that the fee should be £50.00 for a half day and £100.00 for a full day plus expenses was carried unanimously.
13. Chairman’s Challenge. The Committee put forward a suggestion that the Chairman’ Challenge should be divided into two classes, one of the classes would be that item should be a copy of the item turned by the demonstrator and the second class would be for those who wished to expand upon this theme. A trophy would be awarded for each class. Members would only be allowed to enter one class on the day. No-one would be able to win both classes. The proposal was carried without dissent. Brian Bateman agreed to look after the administration of this competition.
14. Lottery Funding Bid. The previous Lottery Bid had failed due to problems with some of the information provided. Another Lottery Bid would be put forward but the Chairman (Brian Gibbs) was concerned that if the bid was successful and the proposed equipment was obtained someone would need to look after it. Keith Lanchester volunteered to do this and Cliff Jeffries offered to assist him.
15. Daventry & District Spring Woodworking Show. The Secretary outlined the idea behind the show and said that the Committee had agreed to take part in this Show and asked for volunteers to man the stand over the two days of the Show. The following members volunteered Tim Davies, Greg Miller, Cliff Lane, Don Lawrence, Malcolm Caine, Bob Rimmer and Tom Badger. Items for the stand to be available on Sunday 11th. April.
16. Any Other Business:
Tim Davies asked about the forum and if anyone used it, there was very little response so Tim said that he would speak to Dave Wilcox about closing it down.
Rex Grogan said that as the Chairman always used his stick to call the meeting to order he would like to suggest that the next Chairman’s Challenge should be a gavel and block, this was agreed.
He also said that he had attended many other club meetings but no other club had tea available all day and he would like to thank Margaret Ford for her efforts.
Malcolm Caine proposed thanks to the Committee and in particular to Brian Gibbs, this was carried unanimously.
The meeting finished at 11.10 a.m.
Brian Goodall
Secretary