THS 2024 AGM Minutes

THS 2024 AGM - Minutes

Minutes of the 57th Annual General Meeting of the Thomas Hardy Society

held at the United Church, South Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1BY.

at 11am on Saturday 3rd August 2024.

Council of Management present:

Mark Chutter (Chairman), Tony Fincham, Felicity Burnet, Lucy Boyle Brown, Susan Clarke, Alban O’Brien, Byron Silver, Dee Tolfree.

Members in attendance:

In addition to the above there were twenty three members in attendance. A list is available on request.

1. Apologies for Absence:

Elizabeth Lowry, Rebecca Shipp, Emily Vause, Andy Worth.

2. To Approve the Minutes of the 56th AGM: The Minutes were approved with no amendments and signed as a true record.

3. Matters Arising There were no matters arising.

4. Chairman’s Report:

It has been a busy year for the Thomas Hardy Society. Firstly, we had our Dylan Thomas joint study weekend in Swansea in October, then the London Lecture in December delivered by Elizabeth Lowry on her novel ‘ The Chosen’. Then in February it was the joint Hardy and Sylvia Townsend Warner weekend which was well attended. The joint literary society events are fruitful in considering links and connections between writers . In April it was ‘ The Dynasts’ study day and in June it was our Birthday Weekend and of course July saw witness to our eclectic conference festival that was truly international.

As Chairman and Academic Director, I have built partnerships for the society with the National Trust, the Dorchester Town Council, the Joint Heritage Committee, STAND, the Dorchester History Centre, the Dorchester Civic Society, Dorset Museum and Shire Hall. Our links to partnerships are key in terms of our future as a society working closely with other groups in the town to promote Hardy.

Our events for 2024-25 include a visit to Stourhead, a joint Hardy and Barnes study day, a visit to Lulworth Castle and St Andrews Church , where Hardy was involved in its restoration. We then have a tour of Athelhampton with an afternoon Christmas tea . Alongside this, in December we will have the London Lecture, the laying of the wreath in January at Westminster Abbey and then a ‘ Jude the Obscure’ study day and then the Birthday weekend in June . Please do look at our events on the website and register your interest.

Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to the council of management for everything they do for the society. As you are aware, we are all volunteers and we do this for the love of Hardy and for you our members. We have come so far as a society . We are financially secure and the recent conference is evidence of the many ‘ great things’ that can be achieved. Wishing you all a glorious summer break and I look forward to meeting you again in the Autumn.

5. Treasurer’s Report and Accounts for the year ending 31st December 2023

The Statement of Financial Activities for the year ending 31 December 2023 together with the Balance Sheet was presented to the meeting.

Tony Fincham is presently Acting Treasurer and addressed the meeting, Lynda Kiss having had to step down during this year due to personal circumstances. The Council of Management were in the process of working on appointing a new Treasurer as soon as possible.

Unrestricted Revenue Funds £6,622 (2022: £13,684)

Endowment Reserves remain the same at £11,761

Total Income for the year amounted to £30,854 (2022: £40,012)

Total Expenditure: £37,916 (2022: £55,877) Thus recording an annual deficit of

£7,062 (2022: £15,865)

Approval of the accounts for the year was proposed by Ursula Harvey, seconded by JoAnna Mink and approved unanimously.

6. Appointment of Independent Examiner of Accounts:

Purple Business and Personal Accountants, Armitage House, Victor Jackson Avenue, Poundbury, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 3GY was proposed by Tony Fincham seconded by Andrew Leah and the resolution passed unanimously.

7. a) Election of Managers:

Pursuant to the Society’s Articles of Association there was one Manager due to retire. Sue Clarke was re-elected proposed by Mavis Pilbeam and seconded by Byron Silver.

In addition two new Managers had been asked to join the CoM: Felicity Burnett and Elizabeth Lowry. These were proposed by Tony Fincham and seconded by Byron Silver.

b) Election of Chairman: Mark Chutter, was elected as Chairman. Proposed by Lucy Boyle-Brown and seconded by Lynda Kiss.

c) Election of Treasurer: Tony Fincham agreed to continue as Acting Treasurer until the new appointment could be made.

These were unanimously approved.

8. Appointment of Presidents and Vice-Presidents:

The Council of Management ratified the appointment of Julian Fellowes, Baron Fellowes of West Stafford as President together with the Vice Presidents.

9. Any other Business:

a) The question arose that some members had not received their Journal. It was explained that our Membership list was being checked as it had been found in some cases addresses were out of date. Now completed and we apologise for any inconvenience it may have caused. If you have an issue with membership do not hesitate to email us and it will be resolved.

b) The Society considers liaison with its membership and the

partnerships with whom we work extremely important and is constantly reviewing methods of improvement.

The latest updates are always available on the Society’s website. The programme for 2025 is progressing well and a focus has begun in readiness for the 2028 anniversary.

b) Mavis Pilbeam gave a vote of thanks to the Council of Management for their work over the past year for the Society.

The meeting closed at 11.40 a.m.

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