2017 AGM Minutes
Burnham on Sea Woodturners club
Annual General Meeting
Held on the 31st May 2017 at the Methodist Church Hall, Burnham on Sea
Attendees: 20 of the 28 club members
Chairman – George Foweraker
Minutes
GF welcomed the 20 members in attendance to the 2017 annual general meeting and thanked everyone for their support over the preceding year and in attending the regular monthly sessions and other club activities.
Club member were reminded who the relevant committee members are and the valuable role of the committee in ensuring the running of the club for all involved:
• Chairman - George Foweraker, chairman of the club since its inception 7 years ago
• Secretary – Ray Blake
• Treasurer – Maurice Davis
• Webmaster - David Langan
Mike Dunn relinquished the roles on the committee and he was thanked for his work in the role.
Thanks was also given to Shirley for her help in providing the refreshments during the monthly sessions.
GF reminded the club members that if they wanted to become a committee member then please express your interest to him.
Website review
David Langan could not be present but had provided a report for GF regard the website.
The average page loads per month on the website is between 330 and 420 with approximately 60, 1st time visitors to the site.. The most popular pages being the:
1 Events
2 News
3 For Sale
4 Gallery
Club members agreed the website looking very professional and for a small local club the site was reviewed by a large number of individuals. We were reminded that the website was available and a useful resource. The for sale site had been very effective in the sale of items. If anyone wished to add to “the for” sale pages please send a photo and description to DL who will upload to the site. It would also be appreciated if club members could submit photos of their individual work for display on the website gallery as this could enrich the website and potentially encourage new members.
Treasurers Report
MD gave a summary of the financial status of the club. MD took on the role in March 2017. Due to the Nat West bank in Burnham on Sea closing in October 2017 the committee decided that they would transfer the business to Lloyds bank. Most monies have now been transferred to Lloyds bank and the remaining funds will be transferred when all cheques for Nat West have been cashed.
Currently the club has sufficient funds to continue with no rise in club fees. Statement of club financial status can be made available to club members
Secretary report
Participation at the Show and tell sessions on club night have been improving and is encouraging for new members to see work and discuss with the individuals.
A full day session is planned for the 10th June with a demo by John Lancaster club members were asked to support this day which will start at 10am at the Methodist church hall and a light lunch will be provided at about 12:30. BM agreed to place details on the AWGB forum to try to boost attendance for the event.
A coach trip has been arranged to the Black Country museum on the 8th July 2017 coach travel is free for club members and spouses. Pick up will be from Burnham on Sea, Sea front car park (B&M) at 7:30 and Michael Woods services at approx. 8:20 the departure time from the museum will be at 16:00 arriving back into Burnham at approximately 18:30. Currently 32 are booked onto this trip of which 13 are club members. The coach will be a cost of £575 which will be taken from club funds. Details regarding the trip can be found on the website.
A number of club members raised that they have not been receiving emails from the club. If you do not receive emails please notify raystarnock@outlook.com
General Discussions
Discussions ensued regarding the appreciation of wood in the UK and that woodturning was not as highly respected here as it is in America. GF gave a brief background as to the time and resources that it has taken to learn the art of woodturning and the various training he had undertaken over the year to develop his techniques and skills.
2017 Events
Club members were asked for suggestions on future events for 2017/18
Current events
• Monthly meetings
• GF regular open workshop events
• Coach trip
• Christmas meal
Suggested events
• Axminster visit – In 2016 a visit was undertaken which club members found extremely interesting and those members that could not attend in 2016 would like a further visit arranged. RB to review
• Yandles visit
• Club members workshop sessions – similar to sessions held by GF. BM offered a visit to his workshop and will provide a date to the club.
• Crown Tools – This was ruled out due to the travel required to get to Sheffield
• National Botanical Garden – Wales, In 2017 they held a Woodcraft weekend if run in 2018 a visit could be organised
• Tyntesfield – Club members believed this national trust property has information on woodcraft
• Westonbirt arboretum
Evening session
James Whitmore won the evening show session with his pepper mill. He provided the group with an overview of how he created the peppermill from a piece of oak. Congratulation to James.