01/08

Rotating Chairman’s Report (Cliff Burd)

Action

Nothing to report.

02/08

Publications Report (Sue Norman & John Dixon)

Sue is to give publications back to John as he is acting Treasurer. It was agreed that Sue would plan the speakers’ programme for 2009/2010 and also help to sell publications at meetings.

John reminded the meeting that the next Bulletin deadline is 01 March 2008. Some articles have been received. David indicated that he would try to produce an article, as did Cliff. It is planned to finish the Bulletin by 1 July 2008.

Sue Norman

03/08

Acting Treasurer’s Report (John Dixon)

John presented the THS Interim Financial Statement as at 24 December 2007. Sue observed that from the income generated from meetings, both member and non-members appear to prefer to attend meetings about local topics.

To leave membership rates and meeting fees at the current levels.Approved

Subsidise World War I Project c£500.Approved

Purchase Microsoft Publisher for improved Bulletin layout c£150.Approved

John Dixon

04/08

Secretary’s Report (Janet Martin)

Janet reported on the meeting of the Local History Committee that Wendy Snarey attended on behalf of the Society on 7 December 2007.

05/08

Membership Secretary’s Report (Ken Flude)

Ken reported that he would give a breakdown of membership to the AGM. He said that we have 53 paid up members and that he had written to members who have not paid. He is investigating electronic membership cards.

Ken Flude

06/08

Tewkesbury Heritage Centre

John said that he would be writing to remind Julie Woods at Tewkesbury Borough Council about the Society using it. He was impressed by the quality and the materials used. It was important to get people to visit it. John thought that local people should pay a lower entrance fee.

John Dixon

07/08

World War I Project

The next meeting of THS scheduled for 14 February 2008 is to commemorate the 90^th anniversary of the end of World War I. John has put up posters around the town which advertise free entry for anyone bringing photographs or memorabilia. There will be presentations by Society members, Derek Benson, John Dixon, Same Eadle, Gordon Baker, Wendy Snarey.

08/08

Meeting Room

There are pros and cons for using the church or the meeting room. The main drawback in using the church was that we cannot have refreshments. The use of disposable cups was discussed, as was purchasing ‘airpots’ to put hot water in. Ken is to investigate the cost of these ideas. It was agreed that we would continue to use the church as long as the refreshment problem could be solved.

Ken Flude

09/08

Gloucestershire Record Office

A considerable amount of improvements are being been made to the Record Office. It is due to be finished in the early Spring. Gloucestershire County Council are considering restricting opening hours on Mondays. When the renovations are finished Sue will arrange a visit to the Record Office.

Sue Norman

10/08

Local History Community Month

The Local and Community History Month aims to increase the awareness of local history, promote history in general in the local community and encourage all members of the community to participate. It is to take place 1-31 May 20008 across the UK. THS would be able to publicise local or community history events for 2008 on the Historical Association website. There would also be a free Local History Month 2008 poster for THS to download and use for its own publicity purposes. John is meeting Becky Davies on 4 March to discus further.

11/08

Purton Hulks Tours

The committee discussed the programme of guided tours of the remains of Purton Hulks being carried out by L.P. Barnett, marine historian. It was felt that it would not be well supported but a link to the programme has been put in the ‘links’ section of the THS website.

12/08

Programmes Secretary

It was agreed that Sue Norman will be the future Programme Secretary.

13/08

Date and Venue of the Next Meeting

6^th May 2008 at 7.00 p.m. at Apperley.

14/08

Any Other Business

Ken advised the meeting that the Corinium Museum in Cirencester are arranging a number of short courses, which include: deciphering old documents, the archaeology of the coast, the downfall of Richard II.

John stated that he would like to arrange a party to visit Maddesfield Park, Callow End, Worcester.

Sue, following her reading Anthea Jones’s book on Tewkesbury, has found from Gloucestershire Record Office that the oldest building in Tewkesbury is 27 Church Street (actually three buildings).

The AGM will be held on 24^th April 2008. John has arranged for Becky Davies the Education and Training Officer of Tewkesbury Borough Council to talk about the Hat Shop.