Minutes of the Annual General Meeting 2008
Our 2008 Annual General Meeting was held at 2.00pm on Saturday 13th December 2008 at New House, Murton, Appleby in Westmorland, Cumbria. CA16 6ND. The minutes are as follows:
Present: Elaine Waite (chair), Newton Bowmer, Sheila McDonald, Kevin Morrison, David Murray, Daniel Nelson, Aaron Robshaw, Adrian Waite, Tim Wilson.
1. Apologies for Absence: Helen Batchelor, Simon Batchelor, Ann Bowmer, Ginette Murray, Anna Waite.
2. Minutes of the 2008 AGM. These were agreed as a true record.
3. Matters arising: Following the last AGM a banner manufacturer had been approached but was unable to make a banner that could be used outdoors. It was therefore decided that Elaine Waite would make a ‘John Clifford’ banner. Both Newton Bowmer and Adrian Waite had discussed holding a joint practice with the Nevilles and it was hoped that one could be arranged in the New Year.
4. Report of the Committee on the year 2007/08 including the 2008 events: Elaine Waite reported that 2008 had been another successful year and that our main events at Skipton, Muncaster and Thorp Perrow had all gone well. We had also attended the Towton and Blore Heath events and Newton Bowmer reported on the latter.
One of our objectives during 2008 had been to increase the opportunities for public participation in Society events through things such as the Knight School and Have-a Go Archery. We have achieved this and have received some excellent feedback from the public and from our venues. However, it was recognised that increased public participation had the potential to increase risk and that it was therefore important that members continue to do everything possible to ensure the health and safety of participating members of the public - especially when they are children.
It was noted that at Thorp Perrow there had been occasions when Society demonstrations clashed with demonstrations by the Falconry centre. It was decided to establish the times of the Falconry demonstrations in 2009 so that the Society’s timetable did not clash with theirs.
It was noted that the success of the Have-a-Go Archery on the final day at Thorp Perrow had led to the Archery demonstration continuing after 5.00pm thus delaying the start of packing up. It was therefore decided to hold the Archery demonstration at 3.00pm on the final day of future events and to close the Have-a-Go session at 5.00pm at the latest.
Robshaw volunteered to repair broken arrows and to make more blunt arrows for next season, as well as ‘Clifford’ tabards for children to wear when taking part in demonstrations
5. Financial Report. Adrian Waite circulated the 2008/09 accounts. Copies are available to members who were not at the meeting on request. They show income of £2,348, expenditure of £2,046, a surplus of £302 and a closing balance of £1,097.
6. Matters raised by members:
• The Keswick sword group meets on the first and third Sunday in each month between 5.30pm and 8.00pm at the Rawnsley Hall. This group is attended by some members of the Society but is not a Society event. Its emphasis is on the sword rather than on re-enactment. Further information is available from Newton Bowmer.
• Health and Safety issues were discussed and it was confirmed that all members must continue to abide by the agreed rules.
7. Review of Constitution. It was agreed that no changes were required.
8. Review of Health & Safety Policy. It was agreed that no changes are required.
9. Election of Officers and Committee for 2008/09. The following were elected:
• Sheila McDonald - Health & Safety
• Aaron Robshaw - Archery Captain
• Adrian Waite - Captain and Organiser
• Elaine Waite - Chair and Organiser
• Tim Wilson - Health & Safety
10. Activities for 2008/09:
a. 2008 Events. It was confirmed that we would hold events at Skipton, Muncaster and Thorp Perrow again. It was agreed that we would attend events organised by other organisations including Towton and Blore Heath.
b. Winter activities. It was agreed to hold winter practices in January, February and March.
11. Any Other Business. There was none.
The meeting closed at 3.40pm.
Present: Elaine Waite (chair), Newton Bowmer, Sheila McDonald, Kevin Morrison, David Murray, Daniel Nelson, Aaron Robshaw, Adrian Waite, Tim Wilson.
1. Apologies for Absence: Helen Batchelor, Simon Batchelor, Ann Bowmer, Ginette Murray, Anna Waite.
2. Minutes of the 2008 AGM. These were agreed as a true record.
3. Matters arising: Following the last AGM a banner manufacturer had been approached but was unable to make a banner that could be used outdoors. It was therefore decided that Elaine Waite would make a ‘John Clifford’ banner. Both Newton Bowmer and Adrian Waite had discussed holding a joint practice with the Nevilles and it was hoped that one could be arranged in the New Year.
4. Report of the Committee on the year 2007/08 including the 2008 events: Elaine Waite reported that 2008 had been another successful year and that our main events at Skipton, Muncaster and Thorp Perrow had all gone well. We had also attended the Towton and Blore Heath events and Newton Bowmer reported on the latter.
One of our objectives during 2008 had been to increase the opportunities for public participation in Society events through things such as the Knight School and Have-a Go Archery. We have achieved this and have received some excellent feedback from the public and from our venues. However, it was recognised that increased public participation had the potential to increase risk and that it was therefore important that members continue to do everything possible to ensure the health and safety of participating members of the public - especially when they are children.
It was noted that at Thorp Perrow there had been occasions when Society demonstrations clashed with demonstrations by the Falconry centre. It was decided to establish the times of the Falconry demonstrations in 2009 so that the Society’s timetable did not clash with theirs.
It was noted that the success of the Have-a-Go Archery on the final day at Thorp Perrow had led to the Archery demonstration continuing after 5.00pm thus delaying the start of packing up. It was therefore decided to hold the Archery demonstration at 3.00pm on the final day of future events and to close the Have-a-Go session at 5.00pm at the latest.
Robshaw volunteered to repair broken arrows and to make more blunt arrows for next season, as well as ‘Clifford’ tabards for children to wear when taking part in demonstrations
5. Financial Report. Adrian Waite circulated the 2008/09 accounts. Copies are available to members who were not at the meeting on request. They show income of £2,348, expenditure of £2,046, a surplus of £302 and a closing balance of £1,097.
6. Matters raised by members:
• The Keswick sword group meets on the first and third Sunday in each month between 5.30pm and 8.00pm at the Rawnsley Hall. This group is attended by some members of the Society but is not a Society event. Its emphasis is on the sword rather than on re-enactment. Further information is available from Newton Bowmer.
• Health and Safety issues were discussed and it was confirmed that all members must continue to abide by the agreed rules.
7. Review of Constitution. It was agreed that no changes were required.
8. Review of Health & Safety Policy. It was agreed that no changes are required.
9. Election of Officers and Committee for 2008/09. The following were elected:
• Sheila McDonald - Health & Safety
• Aaron Robshaw - Archery Captain
• Adrian Waite - Captain and Organiser
• Elaine Waite - Chair and Organiser
• Tim Wilson - Health & Safety
10. Activities for 2008/09:
a. 2008 Events. It was confirmed that we would hold events at Skipton, Muncaster and Thorp Perrow again. It was agreed that we would attend events organised by other organisations including Towton and Blore Heath.
b. Winter activities. It was agreed to hold winter practices in January, February and March.
11. Any Other Business. There was none.
The meeting closed at 3.40pm.
Battlefield Report - Blore Heath - September 2008
Newton Bowmer and David Murray represented the Red Wyvern Society at the Battle of Blore Heath Re-enactment last September. This report is written by Newton Bowmer.
You missed an excellent event at Blore Heath. The weather was spectacular and the whole event had a very friendly air, just like in the good old days.
There were two battles each day, a fire power display, a 'show fight’ tourney and the usual band and frolics in the beer tent afterwards.
We went on with the Oxfords and had a good fight both days. Highlights were:
First day Dave and a thin line of Oxfords stopped a column charge by the Conyers despite being significantly outnumbered.
On the second day first battle I threw two of the enemy onto the floor at Dave but on second battle he won our little competition to see who could put the most of the enemy on to their arse 4 to 3. Mind you I reckon that’s because I tried to have a go at Tim Nightingale and ‘Bruce Dingo’ (aka Eric) simultaneously. Must remember next year that they are both as big as they look!
In the show fight we fought each other as 'Newton of Cumberland’ and ‘Davie of Scotland’ and put on a sterling display of western martial arts swordsmanship. The highlight was Dave’s grapple/sword taking followed by a pommel strike to the side of helmet that left me reeling on the floor!
All in all an excellent event and just imagine what next year will be like. It is the 550th anniversary of battle and they are probably going to get lottery funding to make it spectacular.
Sir Newton de Bowmer (Who has been everywhere!)
You missed an excellent event at Blore Heath. The weather was spectacular and the whole event had a very friendly air, just like in the good old days.
There were two battles each day, a fire power display, a 'show fight’ tourney and the usual band and frolics in the beer tent afterwards.
We went on with the Oxfords and had a good fight both days. Highlights were:
First day Dave and a thin line of Oxfords stopped a column charge by the Conyers despite being significantly outnumbered.
On the second day first battle I threw two of the enemy onto the floor at Dave but on second battle he won our little competition to see who could put the most of the enemy on to their arse 4 to 3. Mind you I reckon that’s because I tried to have a go at Tim Nightingale and ‘Bruce Dingo’ (aka Eric) simultaneously. Must remember next year that they are both as big as they look!
In the show fight we fought each other as 'Newton of Cumberland’ and ‘Davie of Scotland’ and put on a sterling display of western martial arts swordsmanship. The highlight was Dave’s grapple/sword taking followed by a pommel strike to the side of helmet that left me reeling on the floor!
All in all an excellent event and just imagine what next year will be like. It is the 550th anniversary of battle and they are probably going to get lottery funding to make it spectacular.
Sir Newton de Bowmer (Who has been everywhere!)