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UNAPPROVED AGM MINUTES - 2025
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD ON
SATURDAY 5TH APRIL 2025 AT THE COALPORT YHA, TELFORD
PRESENT: 25 members were present. The meeting was chaired by Chris Riddle as Chairman of the Society.
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies had been received from 6 members.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the AGM held on 6th April 2024 were APPROVED as a correct record.
3. REPORT FROM THE CHAIRMAN AND OFFICERS
The Chairman presented a report on behalf of the officers and himself, the following summarising the main points:
- During the year, two excellent meetings had been held. It was noted that the numbers of members attending these were down compared with pre-covid. Kate Cadman and Allan & Thelma Smith were thanked for looking after the domestic arrangements for these.
- The Society had published four newsletters during the year, including a special 100th edition celebrating 25 years of the Society. Roger Thornhill and his son David were thanked for producing and publishing these. The quality of these was the envy of many other ceramic societies.
- Current membership of the Society was 96 households. Ivor Smith was thanked for looking after membership matters.
- During the year, the final copies of the Society’s book Caughley Blue & White Patterns had been sold. All profits from the sale of this were being put towards the next book Caughley Overglaze Patterns.
- Preparation of this book proceeded well and, providing we were successful in applying for a grant from Ceramica-Stiftung Basel towards the cost of printing it, planned to publish it in late 2025 in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the factory.
- Pre-orders were currently being taken, offering purchasers a £15 discount and an opportunity to have their name recorded in the book.
- Chris Brown and Roger Thornhill, who had been working together on the book for nearly three years, were thanked for their magnificent effort.
- As part of the 250th anniversary celebrations, a commemorative mug was being made that would be exclusively available to members. More details would be given in the May newsletter, when orders could be placed.
- As the Treasurer would report, the Society’s finances were in a healthy state although costs were increasing, a situation that had led the committee to recommend an increase in subscriptions as from 2016.
- The pots belonging to the late John Dismore, which had been given to the Society by his family, had now all been sold, realising £3,319 including gift aid. The family had been thanked appropriately.
- John Benbow was thanked for examining the 2024 accounts.
- Kate Cadman was thanked for her help and support to the Society and its members throughout the year.
- All officers and committee members were thanked for their help in running the Society.
- Finally, members were thanked for being part of the Society and for their contribution to it.
A member of the Society thanked Chris Riddle for his chairmanship and the other roles that he undertook.
4. ACCOUNTS FOR 2024
The income and expenditure accounts for the year ending 31st December 2024, which were available at the meeting, were presented by the Treasurer, Thelma Smith. In line with Rule 23, these had been examined by John Benbow. It was reported that whilst the Society continued in good financial health, anticipated price increases could change this unless action were taken.
It was AGREED that the accounts as presented be adopted.
5. SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR 2026
As a result of increasing costs, particularly for newsletter postage, the price of which was going up again shortly, it was proposed that subscriptions be increased for 2026 to £30 per household in the UK (£32 if paying by PayPal); and £35 overseas (£40 if paying by PayPal). This was AGREED.
6. ARRANGEMENTS FOR EXAMINING THE ACCOUNTS FOR 2025
It was AGREED that the accounts for 2025 be examined by John Benbow.
7. ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS FOR 2025/26
The following elections were AGREED:
Chairman - Chris Riddle
Secretary - Roger Thornhill
Treasurer - Thelma Smith
Archivist and Librarian - Jonathan Stubbs
Meetings Organiser - Chris Riddle
Membership Secretary - Ivor Smith
Newsletter Distribution - Chris Riddle
Newsletter Editor - Roger Thornhill
Press & Publicity Officer - Olly Cartwright
Programme Secretary - Chris Riddle
Committee Members - Simon Bailey, David Byrne, Liz Dawes, Tim Dawes, Andrew Stevens
It was noted that there was one vacancy for a committee member.
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