AGM 2017

South Bristol Gardening Club
St Paul’s Church, Coronation Road, Southville, Bristol
AGM on Tuesday 7^th February 2017 at 7.30pm

 Present:           Jenny Bhambri-Lyte        Elaine Beckett      Claire Crowsley                                                      Wendy Desyllas   Colin & Diane Henry                  Barbara Hillman                                  Stephen & Frances Hurley            Elizabeth Jackson        Jenny Padfield
Margaret Patterson        Margaret Slade         Matthew Symonds
Jenny Wakenshaw           Celia Williams

Apologies:            Cheryl Loy-Hancock, Jan Dabbs

Review of 2016:

Wendy Desyllas gave a warm welcome to everyone and reminded us of the interesting programme of last year’s activities; our speakers, garden visits and plant sale. (See programme attached).

Presentation of the accounts:

The financial statement for 2016 was distributed to all members present. Elaine Beckett thanked Jenny Padfield for auditing the accounts. Membership is down slightly and we need to attract new members. The plant sale increased our income from the previous year and appears to attract new members. The Christmas soap-making was complicated because the speaker changed the fee on the night. When contributions from for this workshop have been received the final figures will balance. In general, speaker’s fees are increasing and this will make an impact in the next couple of years.

A question was raised for a breakdown of the outing expenses which Elaine explained to the meeting. The meeting thanked Elaine for her work and clarity of the statement.

Organising team officers:

Elaine Beckett (treasurer) was nominated by Wendy Desyllus, seconded by Jenny Padfield.

Wendy Dessylus was nominated by Elaine Beckett, seconded by Celia Williams.

Elizabeth Jackson – nominated by Wendy Desyllus, seconded by Diane Henry.

Members were reminded that nominations for officers need to be received each year by the December meeting.

Programme of events for 2017:

Wendy Desyllas outlined the programme for 2017 (Programme attached) and drew everyone’s attention to the September meeting – Home grown propagation workshop. September attendance is frequently lower due to many members being away on holiday so this new activity will reduce the expense of having a speaker and give the club a ‘hands-on’ opportunity for sharing tips and ideas. The club thanked Wendy for all her hard work in providing the club with a creative and inspiring programme.

An appeal was made for occasional future help in small jobs needed throughout the year such as help with meeting & greeting, refreshments, marketing, minute taking and setting up/clearing away. This would greatly help the organising team.

The meeting was closed at 8pm.   The date of the next meeting is Tuesday 6^th February 2018 at 7.30pm.