Having been Secretary since 2006, I feel it is time for someone new and so I shall be stepping down after the AGM in June 2012. At the same time, David is also relinquishing his responsibility for supplying and selling the Society’s publications, so maybe there is a couple of you who would be prepared to take on these two posts together. It is always difficult to find new blood, but I am sure there must be someone out there who would like to join the Committee as Secretary, not just to take notes, but also to contribute to the discussions. The only requirement is a computer, and an ability to not to let the mind wander too much during Committee meetings! The other task that currently falls to the Secretary is to collect and collate items for the twice-yearly Newsletter, and to distribute it – and the more members who are on e-mail, the easier this task becomes. The role of the Marketing Manager is to supply trading outlets and retail customers from our book stocks (currently stored in Explosion Museum), to keep a record of sales, provide invoices to customers and to complete an annual stocktake.
Please have a serious think about joining the Committee and supporting our Society in these very important ways. Sue Read
Hon. Treasurer
Accounting for recent events and forthcoming trips has kept me both busy and interested in the first four months, since my election in the summer.
This year, so far, the Society’s Project Fund has funded the cost of the 2011 Restoration Award Plaques, which were presented recently at the Railway Station and in Clarence Yard to the Bakery and the Superintendent’s house.
Due to the Society’s charitable status there is one important item to report to members. This is the sizeable rebate of £366 received by the Society from the Inland Revenue in respect of Gift Aid on 2011 subscriptions. 107 members elected to gift aid their subscriptions in 2011; this represents approximately 50% of total members. We would urge all tax paying members to participate, please, in 2012 and also to thank those members who have contributed this year. The only thing you have to do is complete a form, available at the Society meetings, and return it to the Membership Secretary, or to me. We do the rest and the Society’s funds will benefit from an increased rebate cheque from the tax-man! Susan Blower
Membership Secretary
Our membership currently stands at 219. We have e-mail addresses for only 75 members and would ask those who are not listed to supply their details, as this is a quick, easy way to keep you up-to-date and save on postage costs. Please note that individual e-mail addresses are not shown on bulk e-mails.
At present, only 88 members pay by Standing Order, and it would be appreciated if those members who pay by cheque would consider changing to this method of payment, which will save us on banking costs. George Blower