AGM 2009

 
AGM 2009 Report
 
The AGM weekend began on Saturday this year, when around 70 of our members visited three delightful gardens in the area. None was easy to find, but the search was well worth while. From Stuart Dixon’s garden with 250 varieties of roses, his friend Patrick Bates’ garden with its stunning plantings and the tranquillity of Norwell Gardens, an enjoyable time was had by all.
On the Saturday evening 39 of us met over supper for a Groups Meeting. Representatives of the groups were able to chat together to compare experiences and exchange ideas and members of the national committee were there to answer any queries.
160 members arrived on the Sunday morning for the AGM. Coffee was served until 10.30, giving members chance to chat, to admire the photographs of the stands we have had at shows this year, and to buy items from Clive’s stall.
Nick Hamilton was congratulated on his team achieving a Silver Medal at Chelsea and a Gold at Gardener’s World Live. He then opened the proceedings with his presidential address in which he spoke of the trite shallowness of the gardening programmes and regretted that societies never get a mention in the media. He urged us to write to the producers of the programmes voicing our concerns, telling them what we hope to gain from programmes and to point out how gardening societies can help those new to gardening. He also feels we should be doing more to introduce the younger generation to gardening, perhaps through including activities in our programme to involve families.
In her Chairman’s report, Pat Matthews congratulated the Norfolk and the W Midlands Groups who have celebrated their 25 anniversary this year, also the W Surrey Group who will be 20 years old in August. She welcomed the Rutland, Nottingham, Wirral and E Lancashire groups, all newly founded this year.
She reported the increased use of the web-site, leading to its enlargement, thanked Dave Nichols for his involvement and welcomed Judith Varley-Evans who is to take on the day to day running of the site .Thanks was given to all those who have produced such excellent stands at the shows since the last AGM, and congratulations were offered to the team who gained a Gold at Tatton in July 2008.
The complexities of the seed distribution was described and all those taking part in the distribution were thanked.
In the coming year Pat reported that the committee are planning to introduce Pay Pal or something similar to the web-site to enable new members to pay their subscriptions direct, and that Maggie Mason will be updating the Cottage Garden Planner for us.
The updated constitution was explained and adopted by the floor with no objections.
Pat reported two changes in the financial report. In future the financial report will be included in the June rather than the March magazine. And for the first time we introduced a report on the year just past and a forecast for  future spending. This seemed to reassure members and the financial statement was also adopted with no questions asked.
Judith Varley Evans and Margaret Mason were elected onto the National Committee. Jill Bennett was thanked for her years of service and dedication to the society, was presented with a bouquet and a cheque and will join the ranks of Honorary Members, awarded to members who have offered exceptional service to the society.
After the meeting members were invited to Barnsdale Gardens as guests of our President. The weather was perfect and the gardens stunning.
In all, the weekend seems to have been enjoyed by all those attending.