1. Apologies: Brian West, Ian Harvey
2. Minutes of the 2007 AGM were read, approved, and signed by the Chairman
3. Matters Arising: There were no matters arising.
4. Chairman's Report
This was done as a powerpoint presentation
● The chairman summarised the present state of the society, identifying the committee members and their roles, and reporting that society membership was increasing, with an average audience of 65 at each meeting. The 2008 meetings were described, with a summary of members' reactions to the programme.
● The chairman reported that the Annual Show had again been a success, with an increase in exhibits, entrants and visitors over 2007
● A computer-based presentation of images of the Annual Show, compiled by Carol Murphy, was displayed on screen
● The chairman outlined the local involvement of the society: bulb planting, working with the local school, maintaining the Tebay garden and working with the Barlow Institute
● Future activities were described: the programme for 2009, refurbishment of the Tebay garden, celebrity speaker, centenary tree planting and a holiday in France
● The membership fee and show admission price had not changed since 1993-4
● Thanks were expressed to the committee, cake makers and show helpers, the auditor and all the audience
4 Treasurer's Report:
● The Treasurer showed the new format of the annual report, and then identified significant items. Details were available for inspection separately.
o General income had increased, partly as a result of a grant from a charity
o Printer stocks should be zero, but the method of costing was still being worked on
o members' outings made a loss
o meetings made a loss, but this reflected the increase in costs of speakers and the increase in refreshment costs as we now had more members attending talks
o the Annual Show made a substantial loss. Gate and entry fees were both up, as was the raffle (though all the raffle money goes to charity). However, the schedule printing made a loss, primarily because the cost of printing some of the colour advertisements was less than the income from the advertisers. In 2009, this should not occur as the cost of the adverts should more accurately reflect the fees charged.
o The grant we received helped maintain funds, but we cannot rely on receiving such grants in future
● The 2009 budget was displayed:
o Grant – the society is not likely to receive one in 2009
o exceptional expenditure:
o refurbishment of the Tebay garden
o purchase of the bi-centenary treee
· Summary
o 2008 was in surplus with a grant
o 2009 is targeted to be in surplus without a grant
o the increase in general income must come from an increase in the subscription from £2 to £2.50 p.a.
o Increase in the cost of adverts in the show schedule.
o Increase in the cost of admission to the show from 50p to £1
5 The Chairman asked the members to vote on:
- carried, with one vote against
- carried, with one abstention
6 Members Comments
● It was pointed out by one member that, in the past, membership had included free entry, whereas now there was an entry charge to meetings to cover the cost of refreshments. The chairman responded that the entry charge was needed to contribute to the cost of meetings and had been in place for several years
● One member criticized the cost of producing the colour schedule. The treasurer responded that in 2009 the cost of advertisements would cover the costs of production
7 Elections
● Officers
Barbara Kenny was elected as Chairman
Phil Broughton was elected as Treasurer
John King was elected as Secretary
● Committee
All the 2008 committee were standing for re-election except for Janet Comer.
The Chairman thanked Janet for her work on the committee
The remaining members of the 2008 committee were re-elected, viz:
Sue Matthews, Carol Murphy, Barry Scanlon, David Spencer, Irene Spencer, Jean Turner, Pat Whalley, Norman Woffenden
Keith Shatwell was elected to fill the vacant position on the committee
● Auditor
David Mason was re-elected as auditor
8 Open Forum
● One member asked if there was going to be a vote on adopting the new form of the Treasurer's Report.
The Treasurer responded that the 2009 edition would contain more detail and possibly satisfy the member's concerns
● One member asked if the Show could be sponsored in order to reduce the costs to the Society.
The Chairman responded that the committee would consider this.
● There was a suggestion that the society could organise a visit to the Harrogate Autumn Show
The Chairman said this could be added to our list of possible future visits
The Annual General Meeting closed at 8.45, and members proceeded to the pie and peas
supper and the seed swap