The Annual General Meeting.14th March 2017

The Annual General Meeting of the Foxearth and District Local History Society was held on 14th March 2017 in Foxearth Village Hall with Mrs Lynda Rumbold in the Chair. There were 23 members present. A very warm welcome was expressed to former Treasurer John Geddes on his return from major surgery.

A financial report showed a satisfactory situation. An application to the Parish Council for a grant of £250 had been made for 2017/18 and it was agreed - since the Council requested predictive figures for future years - that this should be increased to £350 subsequently. It was also agreed that the annual membership subscription and the meetings fee for guests should remain at £10 and £2 respectively. Cheque signatories would continue for the present.

Preparation of the 2017 programme and the general running of the Society, had been in the hands of the Chairman and Secretary Clare Mathieson and thanks were conveyed for a job well done. It seemed quite unnecessary to extend the Committee beyond these two very capable and willing volunteers who were happy with the situation but who asked that members  provide their contact details if there was a sudden need for help.

The success of the web site was a tribute to the continuing diligent work of Andrew Clarke.

The President, Ashley Cooper, reminded members of the book fund which he had established several years ago and which existed to support publication of literature of local interest; the fund stood at just over £900.

In connection with local archaeology Corinne Cox asked that anyone interested in having a 1 metre square test pit being dug in their garden should contact her. The procedure would be carried out by volunteers who had already uncovered some ancient finds in the villages.

Members had been asked to bring along wedding photographs and after a refreshing cheese and wine break the anecdotes began to flow. We heard about how the happy day had been mildly disrupted by weather, football crowds, vehicle breakdowns, how money was still owed for a taxi fare and how courtship at a distance had thrived by the exchange of numerous letters which were still in the family archive. It was generally felt that the spontaneous response of members to the challenge of providing their own entertainment had been successful and enjoyable. One member suggested an evening devoted to the history of our houses and this was met with enthusiasm.

Next meeting: 11th April at 7.30pm in Foxearth Village Hall when Andrew Richardson will talk about the History of the Quay.