Members have been emailed the AGM Reports if you have not received them please let us know.

If you prefer to print please see links at the bottom

RAMSBURY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

NOTIONALLY HELD ON 25^th JANUARY 2021

AGENDA

1        Minutes of the AGM held on 27^th January 2020 (attached)

2        Chairman’s report

Hello and welcome, be it your living room, home office or wherever you are reading this. Storm Dennis in February 2020 pretty much set the tone for the year and what a storm.

The committee had worked really hard to compile a year of exciting events for 2020, unfortunately thinking on our feet was the only thing required this year.

Please do keep your schedules safe for when we can resume to normal service, we will of course send out revised dates for events as and when.  I will be the first to admit I am stubborn and refuse to admit defeat, thankfully, my determination to find other ways paid off. Thanks to Di for all her hours tweaking our ideas and working even harder to trump my thinking we did it. Of course, without all the efforts of everybody taking it in board it would not have worked. The aim to spread a little joy worked and thank you for the emails of gratitude, it really did mean a lot to us. Hoping we don’t have to pull much out the bag this year, but watch this space, any suggestions are most welcome.

Lockdown logs at Kennet House? hands up who saw the fish – no, it’s still online so go and have another look. Who knew afternoon tea could be such fun on your own, I must say it was hard receiving those photos knowing I hadn’t had an invitation to join.

Yes, online events are not everyone’s cup of tea, but I do hope you enjoyed the schedule of events take 2.  Still, plenty of time to start work on your habitat balls that should get us over the wintery days. We would love to see photos of what is special to you and new skills you picked up lets share the joy.

The Allotment association hosted the plant sale in conjunction with Hills Stores Charity Shop, I am still taken aback by the huge amounts of funds raised. Sheila, Di & Bev worked really hard growing and potting on. I think I had the easy task to sell it. Paul New once again donated a huge selection of plants which we sold in aid of Treloar, Hills Stores Charity Shop & the Allotment Association. I cannot thank them enough.  Sheila has literally grown every seed in sight and well can that lady grow a chilli plant or what, those tasty tomatoes all Bev’s handy work and Di I think she just enjoyed being able to grow and garden. Hopefully, next year will bring plenty of the same and more.

The society has also been able to make donations and in a position to raise funds for charities, the donations we usually make to our judges were still made and of course the ‘My Favourite Corner’ online event where folk were encouraged to make a donation to Wilts Air Ambulance.  Subscriptions were not taken as the year developed and this year we will not be asking for subscriptions once again. The society is lucky enough to be in a position that we have sufficient funds to keep us going.

The society has a long history of raising funds for local charities and of course this year we have only had the online event ‘My Favourite Corner’. To redress the balance we are gladly accepting donations on behalf of Wiltshire Air Ambulance and Wiltshire Search & Rescue.  At the end of the day If I do not ask for donations who will?  We live in a rural area where these services are vital. If you would like to make a donation please get in touch with Sheila Glass or Bev Mann.

The committee have all been working hard, quietly moving things around trying to plan for an uncertain future. Susie Whimster has kept writing the articles for Whitton Ways, giving you hands on advice. Susie is standing down from the committee this time but will continue to write garden articles for your enjoyment. Sue Arnold has contacted speakers and rebooked for the future. Rosalie has continued to keep track of records. Lynsey has kept track of our monies and Bev Mann worked on promoting society membership. Di has made the presentations look stunning and kept you all informed. Sheila has kept us in compost and is planning if needed, another delivery. Thank you to all committee Lindsay, Sue & Rosalie are all looking to stand down after many years of service, we of course would welcome new committee members but someone to take over these roles when the world is in a more stable place would be ideal.

Lock down has done wonders for the gardens,- new faces have taken part and membership of the society has grown. 2020 will be remembered as the great gardening year I am sure.

2020 also saw some very special birthdays-

Sue Arnold, Jill Doore & Rosalie Winter turned a very magical 70. Janet Webster & Sue Wilkins turned a beautiful 80. Eric Webster an absolute stunning 90.  and “big birthday” to Terry Schutt but that one’s a secret. All very special Lockdown memories.

Before we can move forward, we must reflect back to those who members and friends to which we have lost, all great supporters of the society and Parish events.  Penny Furbisher – left us June 2018, Nina Fox in September 2019, 2020 saw Sheila Hobbs, June Goldsmith, Patrick Springfield, Freddie Orchard & Geoff Findlay each holding memories that can never be taken away from us, those we hold dear, each special as the day is long.  If I asked Pebbles of her favourite society memory it would be riding up Hilldrop Lane going to collect tables in the back of the Land Rover with the police following them. Pebbles would be reflecting on our very dear friend Dr Michael Handford who left us in May. ‘My Favourite Corners’ – Michaels title and it transpires one of his last treats to our community, his photos all taken and filed ready, kindly given to us by Jane. Not wanting to write a long paragraph of what they each did for us as a society, I would like you take a moment to smile and reflect, relive those treasured moments. I am honoured to had such wonderful friends.

I have used the expression before – a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor – but I have the harbour in my sights and look forward to seeing you all again when we have docked safely.

Stay safe & enjoy mother nature’s gifts.

Dee xx

3        Treasurer’s report

to include the following composite   motion:

1. a) to adopt the 2020 provisional accounts
2. b) to set subscriptions at £0 for 2021 but continue to maintain the membership  database

I would like to thank Alan Smith, the previous Treasurer, for the work he has done for the society and the hand-over support he has provided to me. He is now gardening in west Wales.

These are provisional accounts as the society did not have access to the final bank statement. There is a different look to our figures this year for obvious reasons, which means that comparisons with past years’ activities need to be circumspect. We are fortunate to have significant and stable savings.

Our functions account reflects the fall in society activities. Our subscription income has declined this year and there were no opportunities to redeem the situation. As it’s very uncertain what sort of a programme we’ll be able to run this year, we are recommending that subscriptions be set at £0 for 2021.

Given our move to online the investment in maintaining our website and its domain was timely.

Compost sales are increasing and the service is supported by members. We offer the compost at cost price.

We have continued to provide financial support to horticulture-related community activities and charities: Beavers and Scouts working on allotments and resources for Best Kept Village displays.

I hope that the 2021 accounts show a return to normal service as soon as possible.

Finally, I would like to end by paying tribute to Dr Michael Handford, who gave unstintingly of his time and talents to our society, not least in his role as Treasurer.

L Macadam

Acting Treasurer

4        Appointment of Independent Examiner – PBA Accountants, Hungerford

5        Election of the Committee for 2021

Sue Arnold

Diann Barnett

Denise Edwards

Sheila Glass

Lindsay Macadam

Bev Mann

Rosalie Winter

All standing for re-election

 

6        Election of Officers for 2021

1. a) Chairman – Denise Edwards
2. b) Vice-Chairman – Diann Barnett
3. c) Secretary – Rosalie Winter

n.b. The post of Treasurer is currently vacant. Lindsay Macadam has agreed to fill it on a temporary basis.

7     Banksian Medal

Well, it’s been a very different year for us all this past 12 months.

Shows not happening, talks not talked, no summer walks in other people’s beautiful gardens and no Christmas party with great food, company and Clive’s amazing choices of wines -with help from Sheila I am sure.

BUT we did have shows! Albeit less classes – but lovely photos and entries from so many of you + the bonus that we did not have to pick them. If we have to go down this route again, we just need to find a way to non-virtually taste the home industries.

We had Open Gardens! Beautiful pictures of members gardens that took us through the ‘garden gates’ of unseen paradise.

Our lovely Chairman Denise Edwards has worked very hard during these difficult times, planning virtual event options, organising plant sales and deliveries to those that could not get out. Going above and beyond to keep us all supplied with compost, fertilizers and even getting new fork handles fitted in my case. She has worked with the volunteer group- shopping, collecting and delivering prescriptions and kept a virtual presence for the Charity Shop whilst closed.

Following RHS guidelines and advice it gives me great pleasure to award the Banksian Medal this year to Denise Edwards.

Diann

8     Date of the next Annual General Meeting will be Monday 31^st Jan 2022

Please see letter attached from the Secretary with voting instructions

 

AGM complete

AGM 2020 minutes-1    

2021 email voting form ver