The 94th Annual General Meeting took place on Wednesday 12th November from 8:30 pm at Chester Road Sports and Social Club, hosted by President Peter Vaughan.
President Peter Vaughan opened the meeting, and reported that he had visited Davina Bason, who had recently left the School and the Committee after many years' sterling service to both causes, and had presented her with a bouquet of flowers from the Association. They had been very warmly received and she had said that 'her heart was with the Old Carolians'. She remained a member.
Peter went on to say that he felt as though it were an enormous privilege to be President in the same year that Barack Obama had been elected President of the United States. It had been a very good and interesting year. He nominated three events of particularly pleasant memory – the Old Foleyans Carol Service in Witley Church ('a magical evening'); the presence of the King's portrait in the King Charles I Room at the anniversary of his execution, stressing the link between the King, the town and the School; and the Commemoration service for Charles, King and Martyr, at the Whittall Chapel in St Mary's ('a moving experience'). He expressed his gratitude for the support of the Committee throughout the year – the barbecue had been another highlight – membership was increasing, and the Facebook phenomenon would be good for the Association, which had its own group thereon. He had been to some other local Associations' dinners, which he had enjoyed, but he concluded that the Old Carolian Dinner was the number one.
In his Treasurer's report, Peter Picken reported that subscriptions were up, and there had been a healthy surplus of income over expenditure. The Association was in a healthy financial situation. He thanked the Auditor, Tony Kidd, for his work. The accounts were accepted by the meeting. The grants accounts were presented by Martin Easton. £500 had been put forward from the Harry Train Fund and the Old Carolians Leaving Scholarship Fund to pupils leaving school to go on to further and higher education.
The meeting moved on to the rule changes proposed and listed in the Magazine, and after a short discussion, they were approved.
The election of officers followed, and all the nominees were elected unopposed – Colin Lloyd became President, Pat Yarnold Senior Vice-President, and Joe Kerrigan Junior Vice-President. The Committee was confirmed, with new members Thomas Bull and Past President Peter Vaughan. The new man took the chair, and said that he was delighted with the honour and hoped to live up to expectations and the standards set by Peter Vaughan. As AGMs go, it was a jolly affair and, it is hoped, set the tone for a successful and enjoyable year ahead.