MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE SWAN (RADCOT) CRUISER CLUB HELD ON SATURDAY, 11th SEPTEMBER 2004 at THE FERRYMAN, BABLOCKHYTHE
The Commodore welcomed the members and opened the Meeting at 4.45 p.m.
1) Apologies for absence:
Apologies were received from the following members: Peter & Pam Barnett (Haf Tonig), John & Penny Breeds (Nimrod III), Phil & Ann Brown (Wild Thyme), Brian & Valerie Church (Natalia III), Roy & Beryl Gascoigne (Misty Isle), Dave & Grace Hansell (Moppett II), Mike & Mairead Hobin (Gandalf), John & Joan Jones (Ateala), John & Sheila King (Noggin IV), Steve & Pam Morgan (Six of the Best), Jamie & Lucy Order (Lillian Rose), Mike & Maggie Peacey (Second Scilly), Cliff & Deborah Perks (Molliana), Bob & Roni Taylor (My Sanity) and Ray & Eileen Voysey (Leckie).
2) Last Years Minutes:
Acceptance of last years Minutes as a true and accurate account of the Meeting was proposed by Ann Maisey (Wandering Ways II), seconded by Olivia Stanton (Anatolia) and unanimously accepted.
3) Treasurer's Report:
George Jarman went through the Club Accounts and was pleased to announce that a profit was made both with Winter Storage and the Race Night. The proceeds from the Race Night went as part payment for the Commodore's Barbecue, the remainder being paid by the Commodore personally. The reduction in postage costs has come about because quite a number of Members now receive the Newsletter by E-mail. He urged other Members who had use of the Internet to contact Dennis Hill and arrange to receive their copies by this means, thereby saving the Club more expense.
George informed the Members that there were still some of the 2003 Club Video left and anybody wanting a copy should contact Nigel Stanton (Anatolia).
He also reported that the money collected for the Bob Williams Memorial Fund would be going towards a huge propeller, to be erected on the lock side, the blades of which will be inscribed with the names of the organisations who donated.
Acceptance of the Accounts was proposed by Vera Lazarus (Life Member), seconded by Peter Bird (2nd Chance), and accepted unanimously.
4) Commodore's Address:
Eddie opened his address with one of his extremely amusing anecdotes, told as only he can tell them. (If you missed it, I suggest you ask him about it next time you see him)!! He continued with a summing of the years events as follows:
"The 2004 season of events started at the end of January with Bournemouth. It was marvellous - a bit wet and very windy but we all made the best of it as only boaters can. The lasting memory for Ann and me was sitting on those chairs on the last night surrounded by club members - no, best friends.
"Race Night in the Lechlade Village Hall came next. Thank you George for organising the event. I was not able to attend but was told it went very well.
"The Commodore's B-B-Q was a great success and blessed with very good weather considering the bad week we had.
"Fun Day. I sat looking from the sidelines. I think it's the best one we've had for sheer wet fun. We had lots of new games and good organisation - a big thank you to all who made it happen - that was a lot of work! Peter Watkins provided us with some of the best evening entertainment we've had on a Fun Day, and he's Welsh!
"The Eynsham B-B-Q was a big success; we were treated to some home-spun entertainment just as we did in the early days of the Club. The opening act was a selection of songs performed by Grace (Moppett II) lead vocal and guitar, Chris (Heclantis) vocals and guitar, backing singers Mary and Elspeth (Grace's sisters), and all held together by John (Stealer) on bass guitar. At great expense, Abba was next on stage with just a hint of Tom & Elly (Bilbo Baggins Too) and Ollie and Nigel (Anatolia), and was that Toby holding up the song sheets? They just brought the tent down - brilliant! With that over we had some audience participation - Maureen (Juleanne) had us all up line dancing as only Maureen can. The big surprise was that the ALL STARS performed for us, as we were led to believe that they couldn't do it this year. Thanks to John Douse from all of us, and his son, Andy, has a Welsh girlfriend.
"We were able to make a donation to Sobell House of £250 - you are so generous - give yourselves a big hand.
"All in all, with a 60 - 70 membership turn up for events, it's been a good season. Don't forget Quiz Night on October 2nd at the Trout at Lechlade, and Crane Out on October 24th.
"Someone said that it is important to know your destination when setting out, but it's equally important to enjoy the journey. Well, my three year journey as Commodore is now over and I have very, very much enjoyed the journey - but not without a lot of help and support. I always worry about thanking members by name in public for fear of missing someone out. If I did, then straight away I'm in trouble because you are going to think I have the list in some sort of order.
"So once again, no individual thanks, but I will mention your Committee for all its help and support of the last three years. This Club requires a strong and varied Committee with older members to give continuity; a lady or two is a must to see things from their point of view; younger members with new bright ideas and, of course, the ones that go that extra mile and volunteer to be officers in the Club, spending a lot of time at home on Club business. Thank you to past and present Committee members.
"I'm a big supporter of the Newsletter. It's the glue that holds a Club together with a membership living all over the country. Den will speak later on this subject, but from me, thank you.
"On Commodore's Day, to my tent erecting, onion peeling, rice cooking, meat toting, salad tossing, B-B-Q cooking, serving and portion control team over the last three years - thank you!
"A big thank you to all the Members for helping out at Club events. More volunteers still needed.
"A new category very worthy of a big thank you from Ann and me, is my medical support team, which includes EA staff and families. Their duties are varied and include ramp making, ramp positioning, unloading the car and assembling my buggy, positioning (without the use of GPS) my oxygen bottles; and on the subject of bottles - the hot water bottles and blankets that turn up just in time in the darkness of the tent. God bless you. The offers of help from members coming up to me, and some even complaining that I am not asking for help, is mind blowing.
"I referred to you at Bournemouth as not just Club Members but best friends.
One's friends are that part of the human race with whom one can be human,
and there are a lot in this Club.
FROM ANN AND ME, THANK YOU."
5) Election of Officers:
Only 1 nomination for Commodore had been received: Dennis Hill. Proposed by Val Bullock (Escapology), seconded by Elly Richardson (Bilbo Baggins Too) and carried unanimously.
For Vice Commodore, the names of Bob Ward (John Bishop) and Dave Hansell (Moppett II) had been nominated. The result of a secret ballot was 35 votes to Bob and 13 to Dave. Bob Ward was, therefore, proposed for the position of Vice Commodore by Bill Order (Juslovit), seconded by Roger Bateman (Pollensa Sunrise), and the motion was carried.
At this point Dennis Hill, as newly elected Commodore, presented Eddie Maisey with the gift of an engraved rose bowl as a token of thanks from the Committee and Club Members for his services to the Club. Ann was also presented with a bouquet as thanks for her support.
Eddie was asked if he would be prepared to serve on the Committee, which he readily agreed to do. The present Committee had all indicated their willingness to stand again. Agreement for the Committee to stay unchanged but with the addition of Eddie Maisey was proposed by Tom Richardson (Bilbo Baggins Too), seconded by Roy Farman (Baglady) and carried unanimously.
6) New Commodore's Acceptance Speech:
"I’d just like to say a few words of thanks for electing me as Commodore of this great club and Congratulations to Bob on being elected Vice Commodore.
As most of you know, Bob has been doing an excellent job as Secretary for the past 3 years and he’s agreed to continue in that position and carry out a dual role.
For those members who don’t know me, Jill and I have been members since 1992, mere youngsters compared with Eddie and Anne. Together with Jill, my trusty proof reader and adviser, I’ve produced the newsletter for the past 10 years or so, and Jill has taken down and typed up the minutes of the past 10years committee meetings and AGM’s. How she manages to condense hours of waffle at some of our meetings into a coherent document is beyond me!
I also run the club web site which I’m sorry to say hasn’t been updated as much as I’d like just lately, mainly due to the fact that having had an inkling that I was going to get elected to this exalted position, we thought we’d better try to keep up with the previous 2 Commodores …
and buy a bigger boat! So we’ve sold ‘Nesta’ and bought ‘Emotion’, a Sealine 290 with big fenders and no wood round the outside… So I’m afraid that you will no longer be hearing that famous cry of ‘Mind the Varnish’ and Jill won’t have to keep sticking her leg down between the boat and the lock wall!
Going back to the newsletter, I’d like to take this opportunity to tell you how that piece of paper arrives in your letterbox , or in your email as the case may be.
Since we renamed the newsletter ‘Mooring Lines’ I now send my raw copy to our resident professional graphics designer, who re-formats it all and produces the much more interesting version that you now receive! So would you please give Nigel a round of applause.
When Nigel’s done his work , it comes back to me and I then post a copy on the web site and send a copy to George.
George then
So would you please show your appreciation for George and Julie!
I told you all that to illustrate the fact that the reason this club is so successful is due to the efforts not only of the people at this table who give up their time to attend committee meetings and organise events, but also other unseen and unnamed members who willingly help out with erecting Gazebos, cooking barbies and holding ropes and supplying hot food and drink at Crane Out. I won’t mention names but I think you know who they are!
I would like to see more of you getting involved, don’t leave it all to the same old faces.
A word to our newer members, don’t think ‘oh I won’t interfere, they know what they’re doing.’ Your help setting up and clearing away equipment etc is always appreciated.
Remember, this is your club and the more you put into it the more enjoyment you’ll get out of it!
To close, I would like to tell you what one of the lock keepers said to me on the way down here today. He said that in his opinion we were the best, friendliest and most helpful Club on the river. He added that all our members have time for a chat and help with the lock whereas many of the others can't even raise a smile!!
7) Proposals:
Bob Ward reported that no proposals had been submitted.
8) Any Other Business:
a) Adrian Swift from the EA had kindly volunteered to attend the meeting to talk about the Thames Waterway Plan, and his opening words were that "the Swan (Radcot) Cruiser Club are without exception the most friendly, outward going and helpful Club on the Upper Thames, and probably the entire Thames, and lock keepers were proud to have us at their end of the river". He was also pleased to report that over the last year he had received no complaints of any sort whatsoever about the Club or any of its members. Adrian thanked the members for always making him feel welcome whenever and wherever he appeared on the river.
Regarding the Thames Waterway Plan, our ideas had been passed to the Reading Office together with more from other interested parties. Local authorities etc., are being consulted to find out their feelings on the plan, and using a gap analysis system areas where facilities were lacking were being pinpointed, and being dealt with where possible. i.e. with agreement from the Watermans Arms by Osney Lock, boaters now have a rubbish disposal site. Other things being considered is a waterpoint being installed between Folly Bridge and Donnington Bridge, and the possibility of Osney Marina allowing part of their land to have showers, toilets and water installed.
There then followed a series of 'questions and answers' with subjects ranging from 2 pump outs being out of action at the same time, availability of affordable moorings, the trip boat Adventuress, dredging the shallows, lack of tuition given to the hired narrowboats, and gravel extraction etc. etc. One issue that arose was George Jarman (Just Julie) who reported having maggots thrown on his boat by a fisherman who was using a 10 metre pole which he didn't lift out of the way until the very last second, at the same time shouting words to the effect that George didn't have a father. Adrian informed members that this sort of incident should be reported to the "Help Line" on 0845 80 70 60 and they would arrange for one of the bailiffs or fisheries inspectors to speak to the offender and do a rod licence check etc.
Dennis Hill thanked Adrian on behalf of the Club for his help.
b) Presentation of Awards: The Heclantis Plate was presented to John and Shane Malpass (Vanity) for winning the Round The Island Race. The shields for the Treasure Hunt should have been presented to Phil and Ann Brown (Wild Thyme) and Joe and Georgie Paris (Sadiebelle) but unfortunately they were unable to attend the Meeting.
c) Bournemouth Weekend: There are still a few vacancies left for this event so if anyone would like to go who has not yet booked, please contact Ollie Stanton (Anatolia).
d) Dinner/Dance Event: Bob Ward had been approached by several members who had asked why we did not hold a dinner/dance. Members attending the meeting were asked if they would be interested in this, the venue being the Ferryman at Bablockhythe with a 3 course meal and a proper band which would cater for all tastes, i.e ballroom to disco, probably costing approximately £25 per head, to be held sometime during the summer. Approximately 50% expressed and interest and it was agreed that it would be discussed further at the next Committee Meeting.
e) Cock Up Of The Year Award: Dennis Hill reported that there were not so many entries this year in "The Little Red Book" kept by Jill. However, after very careful scrutiny the award went to Roy Farman (Baglady) who had managed to get himself entered in the book twice, once in the previous Baglady and again in the new Baglady.
Congratulations to him.
The Commodore closed the meeting at 6.30 p.m.
