The 93rd Annual General Meeting took place on Wednesday 7th November from 8:30 pm at Chester Road Sports and Social Club, hosted by President Keith Bowkett.
The meeting was opened with the retiring President, Keith Bowkett, in the Chair. The minutes were read and approved, and there were no matters arising. The President thanked everyone on the Committee for his/her support throughout the year, in particular Martin Humphries and David Slater, and said that he had enjoyed a successful 12 months, particularly in the area of member recruitment. He thought that about 50 new members had joined; there had been an almost 100% attendance at the Committee supper; and the social events had produced some great atmosphere and entertainment. He gave a special vote of thanks to his wife, 'Ollie'.
The weather at the barbecue had been horrendous and a real dampener, in more ways than one, but we had survived that and he hoped that Peter Vaughan would have an more successful time.
In his Treasurer's report, Peter Picken thanked the auditor, Tony Kidd, for his work with the accounts, and reported that the Association had achieved a profit of £370 during the year to the end of December 2006. We had sold a good collection of ties, and all the social events had made a positive contribution. The year-end was now 31st August, and, to the end of August 2007, income had exceeded expenditure by nearly £2157, because very little expense had been incurred during that time on the Magazine. The accounts were in good order and we were nicely 'in the black'. Martin Easton then reported on the Harry Train and Old Carolians Leaving Scholarship Funds. More than £360 had been generated in interest in the former and nearly £302 in the latter. Grants totalling £550 had been allocated.
Following the fiscal reports, Peter Vaughan was unanimously elected President by the meeting, and took the chair. Colin Lloyd and Pat Yarnold were elected as Senior and Junior Vice-Presidents, respectively, and the Committee was confirmed, with new members Keith Bowkett and Ian Sandall.
Peter Vaughan said that he felt as if his election was a marvellous turn of events, considering his long-time-ago presence in the Punishment Book while at School, but he knew that he had many friends on the Committee and was sure that their presence would help him. He was extremely proud to have been elected, but was saddened by the thought that he would have to give up taking the minutes at Committee meetings.
The Committee also decided to donate £100 to the Nigel Collins Fund for Young Scientists.