The future of the Society was discussed. June Flude will be standing down after the Annual Meeting in April.

A Treasurer and a Marketing Manager are needed urgently.

Derek Benson was confirmed as Website manager.

If further Committee members are not forthcoming the Society will be wound up after the Annual Meeting and a Research Group will be started. The funds from the Society being passed to the new Research Group.

Proposed David Willavoys

Seconded Cliff Burd

After all commitments are paid the assets of the Society must be passed to a charity with broadly similar aims which is in existence.

The Charity Commission will be contacted to confirm the procedure in advance.

Cliff Burd

A meeting to be held at the end of March to set up new group.

A notice will be put out at the 22^nd March meeting proposing that if no support is forthcoming by the 3^rd April a notice giving 21 days notice of the closure of the Society will be enacted. Two thirds of the members are needed to agree to this at the Annual Meeting.

Proposed John Dixon

Seconded Cliff Burd

A committee will still be needed to organise the new Group.

Annoucements will be made at the February and March meetings that if no new Committee Members are forthcoming the Society will close at the Annual Meeting.

Minutes:

The Minutes of the meeting held on 7^th September 2006 was approved.

Proposed John Dixon

Seconded Cliff Burd

The members list was discussed. This is still not complete and if the Society continues a renewal system must be introduced.

Wendy Snarey was to be considered as a Life Member if the Society continues. This has been left in abeyance.

Derek Benson was confirmed as Website Manager and committee member. John Dixon to thank him.

There were no other matters arising that are not on the agenda.

Publications:

Articles for the bulletin have been received from Don Freeman, Jim Freeman, Derek Round and David Willavoys.

The finalisation of the bulletin will be left until after the Annual meeting.

Fleet Graphics, excellent quality but too expensive.

John Dixon has been speaking to HB Digital at Sam Eedle’s recommendation. All that needs to be supplied to this company is a disc with complete publication data, which they convert to print format and provide a small number run as and when required.

This disc would also be available to members and would assist in non-local sales, as it is easier to post.

A comparison of briefing documents was undertaken.

Whilst the Stationery Centre gives an excellent service the HB Digital version of briefing documents is slightly more expensive than theirs but is a more professional and more attractive from a sales point of view with a coloured cover.

The alternative version of the publication to be shown to outlets in the town.

It was agreed that if a bulletin is produced that the number of complimentary copies will be reduced.

Derek Benson is looking into the Society being involved with Paypal.

It was agreed that a smaller bulletin would be produced, the implication of articles and photographs was discussed and editing may be required.

It was proposed that a smaller digitalised bulletin would be produced. CD’s available for ex-pat members.

Proposed John Dixon

Seconded Cliff Burd

Bill Treen has offered a room for the storage of publications.

Cliff Burd

Acting Treasurer’s Report:

The financial situation has greatly improved with a balance of £1,204.78 in the bank.

A Business Instant Access Savings Account had been opened with a transfer of £500 from the current account, which will generate a small interest.

A copy of the balance sheet attached shows the income and outgoing sources.

John Dixon as Marketing Manager for the bulletins arranged to invoice Alisons at six monthly intervals. Smiths are co-operating at the moment with sales.

Alternative sources of distribution were mentioned in that Music Trade was selling copies of The Crescent.

The GRO have sold a few publications but do not have them on display similarly the Tourist Office/Museum.

Secretary’s Report:

Social Evening on 18^th January 2007.

June and Ken will pick up the keys to the Elmbury room at 6.45pm. Glasses have been ordered, raffle prizes to be donated by Committee members.

Jan and Marion to look after the food tables, supplying tablecloths, corkscrew, etc.

Cliff Burd has compiled a quiz based on Bulletin 15. 

John Dixon to supply copies of the bulletin.

John Dixon to invite pupils from Tewkesbury School to the February meeting.

The code will be needed for the toilet door.

Membership Secretary’s Report:

It is extremely difficult to be sure of accurate membership numbers. The reason being that uncertain information from 2005 has not enabled accurate updating of addresses, etc. and fragmented pattern of enrolment at several meetings and direct with information not always being passed to me has rendered inaccuracies into the list.

If the Society continues every member will be issued with a renewal letter for up to date information.

Programme Report:

The meeting on the 15^th February will be Members Research.

John Dixon to ask at the Social if members has a contribution to make for the Research evening.

It was agreed that PowerPoint presentations are an effective way to present information and also speed up the presentations.

John Dixon, Cliff Burd, David Willavoys and Sam Eedle have research that can be used if no other members come forward.

Suggestions for speakers were Dave Evans on Zulus.

Prof Wynne, a historian who specialises in Black GI’s at the Ashchurch Camp in WWII.

A Christine Seal from Bredon – occupations around Bredon Hill with a local slant.

Suggested dates for the programme for 2007/2008 are

20^th September

18^th October

22^nd November

24^th January

14^th February

13^th March

24^th April

22^nd May

After the Annual Meeting it will be memorabilia.

John Dixon

John Dixon

Heritage Report:

Cliff Burd has been inside one of the cottages in Nelson Street whilst the work is going on. The builder has been taking photos as the work is carried out. CB also has taken photos throughout the town wherever alterations are taking place.

Cliff Burd has also scanned in relative photographs from archive copies of the Cheltenham Chronicle and Graphic at the Museum.

Cliff Burd to attend at meeting on Friday, 19^th January re the future of the Museum. Some of the trustees are also members of the Council so they have to leave the meetings when the subsidy is discussed.

Research Co-Ordinator:

Tewkesbury Register:

These are being stored in the cellars of the Town Hall and better conditions are available at CRO. The cost of transportation with their contractor is in the order of £200. Cliff Burd to investigate other contractors. We have agreed to spend one third of the cost if necessary, as has GRO, but strictly speaking we think the Town Council should cover the cost.

Date and Venue of Next Meeting:

Thursday, 9th May 2007, 7.00pm at Jan Nattrass home in 11 Apperley Park.

Any Other Business:

Cliff Burd expressed concern at the lack of co-ordination between the Heritage Centre (Hatshop) and the Museum and the Town Council as information on common matters is not forthcoming and whilst the Heritage Centre has enormous financial implications the Museum is being further financially constrained.

John Dixon to thank Derek Benson, on behalf of the Committee, for his contribution in setting up the website and his continual involvement with it.