AGM Summary

Chairman's Report

• The Chairman, on behalf of the Trustees, reported on key events and issues in 2007.  He described 2007 as a year of two successful National Shows however attracting public interest continues to be a challenge.

• Publications did experience some difficulties during the year with Yearbook and Autumn bulletin delivered later than anticipated. The Yearbook returned to full colour and bound, and met with favourable reaction from members. Every effort will be expended to deliver publications as close as possible to published targets in future.

• Cryogenics - initial trials have proved successful and additional funding has been secured by the Phd student to continue the studies. In addition, the Society plans to send up to fifty popular cultivars to be 'virus cleaned' via meristem culture and to make the first results of this activity available to members in 2009. 

• The Chairman also reported on the status of membership, sales of publications and activities undertaken to promote the Society. The Society achieved Gold Medal awards at Chelsea and Tatton Park, and Silver Gilt at NEC Gardeners World.

• The cost of National Shows was again highlighted as a major component of Society expenditure.

Other AGM Business

• Mike Higgins stood down as Floral and Promotions Manager with Ann Brook returning to this position. All other Officers were returned unopposed.

• Retiring Executive Members Roger Brownbridge, Brian James and Dorothy Spencer were returned as Trustees.

• Sound Financial position was reported by Graham Barclay (Unrestricted funds) and Ian Moss (restricted funds).

• 2007 Accounts were unanimously approved by members.

• Cheeld Wheeler & Co re-appointed as Accountants/ Independent Examiner.

• Society's Gold Medal award presented to Martyn Bryans.

• Derek Bircumshaw Medal awarded to Paul Cornelius

• Society's Silver medals presented to Barry Firby, Sam Forrester and Gordon Steele

• Woolman Medal of Honour presented to Jan Porter
  
  Items for Discussion

• Paul Barlow presented on the subject of Society Wind Up and Asset Disposal. Members endorsed Paul's solution as the basis for amending the Constitution, Executive Committee to take this item forward to a proposal for formal Rule Change in 2009. Click here for details of proposed solution =>  Windup & Dissolution

• Ivor Mace raised the topic of Raisers showing new cultivars in competitive classes prior to release. Voting confirmed Raisers will be permitted to show unreleased cultivars in competitive classes for two years prior to release.

• John Peace raised the topic of introducing classes at the Early National specifically for 'c' section cultivars. Voting confirmed members would like to see such classes introduced providing there are enough cultivars to make the classes viable. Executive to ask top growers to nominate at least 20 cultivars (currently classified medium but considered to be too small to compete in medium classes) as candidates for immediate  reclassification to 'c' in order to make these new classes viable in 2009.

• Ken Dear proposed introducing new classes to show up to twelve blooms individually (i.e. one bloom per vase). Members agreed this proposal should be examined in more detail by the Shows Committee.

Awards  2008

Gold Medal
Martyn Bryans

Derek Bircumshaw Medal
Paul Cornelius

Silver Medal
Barry Firby 

Silver Medal
Sam Forrester

Woolman Medal
Jan Porter

(Pictures by Harry Lawson)