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1. |
Greetings and Apologies for absence were
received from Ann Gardner, George Smith, Alan Noble, Joan Kilpatrick, Anne
Chetwynd-Stapleton, Dorothy Rudd, Eleanor Moore, Eleanor Hone, Brian
Stapleton, Barbara Bellingham, Helen Beale, Vivien Flynn, Eric Newton, Kitty
Andreis, Joanna Shackleton, Dick Dennis, Dinah Prior, Alan Smith, Dorothy
Hunter, Walter Wolff, Peter Wayne, and Colin McLaurin-Jones.
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2. |
The minutes of the 109th AGM were taken as read
from the magazine.
Before the main part of the Meeting began, Wendy gave an “up date” on the
school site. The site manager is very sympathetic towards preserving as much
of the grounds and buildings as possible and has requested any photographs or
information which might help. The two teaching blocks and the sports hall will
be demolished. The front of the buildings facing High Green and Station Road
will remain, as well as the stone block containing the kitchens and the
boys’ dorm. Robert Campbell answered questions about the school grounds. He
explained that there is a clause called the Section 106 Agreement in the Town
and Country Planning Act, which basically states that a certain amount of land
in any development must be for community gain, and therefore all the land
south of the Beck will remain as it is and become an amenity for the new
houses and part will also be for the village. Robert anticipated that this
part would be top field which would be leased to village sports Clubs. The
School managed to close in good financial order, prize bursary funds have gone
to other schools, and other funds will eventually be distributed after
discussion with the Charity Commission.
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3. |
The secretary’s report was read. Thanks were
given to Wendy for all her work during her Chairmanship of the Executive
Committee.
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4. |
Treasurer’s report - the balance sheet was
distributed and Clifford Weschenfelder read out the report thanking the
District Secretaries for their help and also thanking the Auditor Eric Rodham.
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5. |
Gill Jackson read out the Editor’s report and
expressed her thanks to all who helped her with the production of the
magazine. To illustrate how the magazine and Association helps to keep old
scholars in touch with each other, Gill related the tale of John Hantho who
e-mailed Bootham School from Canada asking if they could put him in touch with
anyone from Ayton (he wanted to keep a promise of making contact with fellow
pupils on the 20th anniversary of their leaving.) Bootham contacted Joe
Tillott; he contacted Gill who suggested a phone call to Arthur. Arthur
contacted John and in the meantime Gill got in touch with Iain Blair; he in
turn suggested contacting Jonathan and Darlas Vickers as they were all at
Ayton together. Gill is still waiting to hear how the final meeting was
arranged but no doubt this will be reported in the magazine.
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6. |
Proposed acceptance of the above three
reports: John Douglas proposed acceptance and Joe Tillott seconded.
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7. |
Consideration of changes to Constitution:
Wendy explained that it was necessary to alter the Constitution because of the
closure of the school. At the AGM last year a vote was taken to publish the
Handbook as usual. To comply with the rule 25 giving notice of changes, the
old Constitution, and the proposed changes have both been published.
Discussion of the changes continued as things have moved on since they were
printed.
2. Objects. In his Presidential
Address, Joe suggested that we could have a new second object - that old
scholars make a point of encouraging parents looking for educational
opportunities for their children to consider the other three Friends’
schools in the North. Perhaps funds could be found for bursaries too? From
generous old scholars? From surplus funds from the sale of the school?
Consideration might also be given to changing the term objects to
objectives.
3. Membership. This might be
extended to include the word “partners.” There was a great deal of
discussion but by a show of hands this was carried.
6. Representative on the School Committee.
6B of the original constitution was omitted in the amendments published, but
Wendy pointed out that since the amendments had been compiled, the fact that
the school committee must continue for the next 25 years had become known
and therefore perhaps it might be advisable to have an Old Scholars’
representative on the School Committee. After much discussion Robert
Campbell pointed out just what would be involved in choosing a
representative. Many facts and figures would have to be learnt and being a
member of the committee would also include the responsibility of being a
trustee. Wendy proposed asking Richard Beck if he would represent the
Association. Richard is already on the committee as a parent representative
and he has joined A.0.S.A. The general consensus of the meeting was to ask
Wendy if she would talk to Richard on our behalf and ask him to become our
representative for this year. Because of the further changes, it was decided
to keep the current constitution until next year, by which time the future
should be clearer.
N.B. Since the AGM, the role of the school committee in the future has been
clarified and a revised structure suggested. This will necessitate further
consideration by A.0.S.A.
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8. |
Retirement and Resignation of Officers:
Chairman Wendy Smith; Representative on School Committee David Lawrance; Diana
Neville-Smith; Member under 7 year left Ben Klemenzson.
Cliff gave a vote of thanks to Ben, David, and Diana and thanked Wendy for all
her hard work and an especial thanks for her thorough homework and attention
to detail which helped the rest of the committee so much.
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9. |
Re-election of Officers willing and able
to remain in office: General Secretary: Margaret Carnegie; Treasurer: Clifford
Weschenfelder; Editor: Gill Jackson; Other members: June Dunn; Joanna
Shackleton; Roy George; Records' Secretary: Dick Dennis; Convenor of
Nominations’ Committee: Mary Banks; Co-opted member: Dinah Prior; Reunion
Co-ordinator: Rachel Coverdale.
This was proposed by Douglas Horne and seconded by Sheila Howd.
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10. |
Election of Officers: Co-opted member: Sue Fox;
Other member: Tessa Snowdon.
This was proposed by Gill Jackson and seconded by Joyce Spinks
(Sue Fox was appointed AOSA Chairman at the Autumn '98 AOSA Committee
meeting)
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11. |
Louise Fox agreed to become a member of the
Nominations’ Committee. This was proposed by Clifford Weschenfelder and
seconded by Gill Jackson.
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12. |
Nomination of President Elect: Dorothy Dawson
was proposed by Gill Jackson and seconded by Jane Campbell.
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13. |
Appointment of Auditor - Eric Rodham has agreed
to continue as Auditor of the Accounts.
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14. |
The meeting ended with a special vote of thanks to
all who had made the weekend such a success.
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