AGM 2022 Minutes
Brockweir, Hewelsfield and St. Briavels Garden Society
Minutes of the 37th Annual General Meeting
18th November 2022
1. Apologies
Apologies were given from the following;
Judy Craven
Irene Reid
Mike Topp
Sue Porter Davison
Chris and Mel Mackintosh
Anne Wareham
Janet Broughton
2. Chairman’s Remarks and Annual Report
The Chairman informed the meeting that the society had been going for 37th years, hence this was the 37th AGM.
The Annual Report for the year 2021/22 can be found on the society’s website.
With the activities of the Society resuming after a prolonged period of quiet due to Covid restrictions there had been an amazing and successful programme of talks and
events. Thanks were given to Christine for organising these. The full and exciting programme for 2023 has already been posted on the website.
With the Society’s emphasis changing from ‘bees to trees’, it joined forces with The Woodland Trust to offer a facility for members and local families to order trees and hedgerow plants for themselves to dig in. Over 1200, mainly hedging plants, have or are in the process of being distributed.
There have been a number of changes to the committee recently, as announced below.
3. Minutes of the AGM of Friday 19th November, 2021
The minutes of the last AGM were reviewed. There were no queries on these minutes.
4. Adoption of the minutes
It was agreed by a show of hands that the Minutes of the 2021 AGM should be adopted.
5. Matters arising from the minutes
None
6. Treasurer’s Report for the Year 2020/21
The Society’s Treasurer, Sue Davis, informed the meeting that, as in previous years Dobies were offering a good discount on seeds and live plants to members of the Society, and that catalogues were available at the back of the hall. The discounts were 50% off all seed packets, and 15% off live plants. There was no discount for gardening accessories, such as tools. Members can order online, using the discount code, or by using the form attached to the catalogue. Members were reminded to keep a note of the code as it can be used multiple times throughout the year.
The Society’s accounts were in good order, showing a positive balance of £4,430 for the end of the financial year 2021/22. This balance has remained steady over the last five years; in 2020/21 it was £4325, in 2019/20 £4407, and this was despite Covid disruptions. The plant sale remains the big money-spinner, and was again a success this year. Thanks to everyone who helped out or contributed in any way.
There were no queries on the accounts
7. Adoption of the Treasurer’s Report
The report was adopted unanimously by a show of hands.
8. Election of “Auditor”
It was proposed that David Wedel should be re-appointed as accounts “reviewer” to the Society for the 2022/23 financial year. This was passed unanimously by the membership on a show of hands.
9. Election of Officers and Committee Members
As mentioned by the Chairman in his report, there have been a number of changes to the committee over recent months. The following have left the committee;
John Gooder
Anne Downes
Gaynor McCarthy
Annie Williams
The Chairman, on behalf of the members of the Society, offered heartfelt thanks and warm appreciation for all that they had contributed to the Society during their time on the committee.
The Chairman informed the meeting that Martin Morris had been co-opted to the committee as Secretary, Nicole Surrell, as Membership Secretary and Gill Morris, as an ordinary member.
Patrick Mills then proposed that all current officers and committee members be re-elected to their posts “en bloc”. This was passed by a unanimous show of hands by the membership.
The newly elected committee, therefore, is as follows;
Officers
Chairman Mike Weeks
Vice-chairman and Treasurer Sue Davis
Secretary Martin Morris
Committee Members
Programme Secretary Christine Haines
Membership Secretary Nicole Surrell
Member Gill Morris
10. Any Other Business.
a. Christine reminded the meeting about the Spring Bulb Show. Last year, the number of exhibits was low. The meeting was asked if it was worth continuing with the show. The feeling was that the Society should, at least, give it another year, by a vote of 14 ‘yes’ to 0 ‘no’. She, therefore, urged the members to start thinking about it now.
There were no further comments or queries from the “floor” and the meeting was closed at 7.44 p.m.