AGM Meeting 2014
1 Welcome and Apologies
Apologies were received from Raymond Atkins, Ivor Ellard, John & Cynthia MacDonald, Ian McCalla, Keith Patey and Raymond Raven.
2. Chairman’s Report
The Chairman read out the Apologies, above, and continued with an “upbeat” view of the Society today, with the high Number [33] of Members present, the reappearance of our Newsletter under a New Editor, the success of Alexandra Palace Exhibition, and the number of models on view at the Meeting!
3. Treasurer’s Report
Mike Gleen explained that the 2012/13 Accounts had been sorted out (by our previous Treasurer and now our Auditor) which means that the 2013/14 Accounts can be seen at the June Meeting. He reported that our Bank Account is £2800. He did not recommend any increase in Subscriptions at this time. Adrian Williams made a point that it was better to increase subscriptions in small amounts than a large one “at the last minute”
4. Adoption of the Accounts
As stated in the Treasurers report above, the Adoption of Accounts has been postponed until June 2014.
5. Exhibition Officer's Report
Eric Wright went through the main points of Alexandra Palace, explaining that because Meccano is a “quicker” modeling medium than the majority of other models on display, some of which had taken 10 years to complete, he had persuaded Meridian to treat us as a “special case” with regard to the registration of models and modelers for security purposes. He went on to persuade more of us to exhibit next year.
Colin Davies, standing in for Geoffrey Wass, pointed out that we need “gym” space for this years SADMES exhibition, and Matt Goodman said that he was going to the next SADMES meeting to explain our case to SADMES. Matt G. also told us that Geoffrey wanted to have an idea the exhibiting members’ table requirements for September.
Jim MacCulloch informed the Meeting that The Kew Bridge Steam Museum had been in contact, and April 18-19 had been penciled in for a Meccano Exhibition in 2015. Matt G. said that he understood that there was now a dedicated exhibition space at Kew, which Jim said was probably the old canteen room.
6. Newsletter Editor
Bob Palmer explained that he had felt that PG had twisted his arm to make him volunteer to become Newsletter Editor, but having had “a go” he was very pleased with the outcome and comments received and that he is happy to continue. He explained that he needed material; he is quite happy to edit (and sort out) items from us, but he was not prepared to write the whole Newsletter himself!
7. Election of Officers/Committee
As Chris Bourne had resigned as Newsletter Editor (a committee post) last November, we had “recruited” Bob Palmer and needed to confirm him in position. This was passed nem con. PFG also explained that the committee would like to have another committee member, still to be recruited. This was also Passed.
8. WLMS Outings
Matt Goodman spoke about the WLMS outings as a source of interest and socialising. The next outing is to be Chatham Dockyard on Easter Monday, where SELMEC were exhibiting. Mike Gleen is to make contact with the Kirkaldy Testing Museum with a view to a WLMS outing on the 1st Sunday in September.
Matt was also planning outings to Acton Transport Museum and the Bletchley Park Codebreaking Museum, and said that other suggestions would be welcome.
9. Any Other Business
Adrian Williams told the meeting that WLMS member John Sharp had won the 2014 Founder’s Trophy of the International Society of Meccanomen.
PFG reported that “Mo”, the Greenford caretaker of many years, was retiring, and that the Community Centre has written to all users asking them to contribute toward a gratuity to her. PFG suggested £10, which Adrian Williams said was too miserly, so £50 was agreed by the meeting. Mike Gleen was to liaise with the Centre about payment.
Colin Davies asked about club auctions, and the committee agreed to “try it out”, either at the June or November meeting. Information is to be published in the Newsletter. Matt Goodman reported that there was to be an auction of John Armstrong’s enormous Meccano collection. The details (given to the committee by Tony Walduck) are:
On: Thursday 17th April 2014
By: www.AstonsToyAuctions.Co.Uk
At: Baylis Hall, Dudley, DY1 1NB.
Amount: 40,000 pieces [not inc nuts/bolts/washers etc.] = unknown number of lots.
Their Info: The best way to view the Sale is to visit the naturally light saleroom - just 3.5 miles from J2 of the M5 motorway. Otherwise the catalogue is released online at least one week before the auction and almost every lot is illustrated. It is fully searchable so you can easily find the lots you are looking for. A brief report of condition is normally included in the description for each item but it is recommended to speak to one of the staff on the telephone - they will be happy to describe lots in detail if you cannot attend to view in person. You can bid online!
NB Do watch out for the 20%+VAT buyer's commission! You might not get the bargain you expect - perhaps