Penzance Sailing Club, Albert Pier, TR18 2LL. 7.30 pm, 8th March 2023.
Present.
Committee :-
James Walker (Chairman)
David Keast (Treasurer)
John Diston (Secretary; Minutes taken by JD)
Mark Mitchell (Membership Secretary)
Carol Alway
Elizabeth Wood
Other Members :- Patricia Beaghen, Stewart Bradley, Amanda Cofek, Diana Copperwheat, Joy Daniels, Malcolm Daniels, Tiggy Elliot, Tim Evans, Lorna Halse, Mike Halse, John Hodgson, Julia Johnson, Fiona Mohan, Hermione Morrison, Amanda Noddeboe, Dan Oliver, Graham Perry, John Tellam, Alan Thomas, Nigel Walker, Keith Whatley, and Simon Withey.
28 members attended, being 22% of the current adult membership of 124.
This exceeded the minimum of 10% required for voting. [The 2 Junior Members are not entitled to vote].
1/. Welcome.
James Walker opened the Meeting at 7.30, and welcomed those attending.
2/. Apologies.
Hilary Bradley, Nick Darling, Marieanne Davey Ball (Heritage Officer), Graham Dyer,
Robert Fishburn, Ray Fordham, Paul Iseard, Nick Moore, Len Newman, Mike Richards, Roger Roberts, Ken Sharp, John van der Hoff, and George Whittaker.
3/. Minutes of the 2022 AGM, held on 9th March.
These were accepted as a true record, and signed by the Chairman. (Proposed by Carol Alway; seconded by Mark Mitchell).
4/. Matters Arising from 3/. above.
Nil.
5/. Reports
5a - Chairman. James Walker reported as follows:- (Summarised from Notes).
My thanks to all those who have contributed to a successful season - Skippers and Mates, the Committee, and Penzance Sailing Club for their hospitality. Also to all members for sailing, your maintenance work, and financial support. There were 30 Sails in 2022, with 61 members sailing at least once. We have a new Code of Conduct, which can be found on our website.
The Treasurer will go through our accounts in more detail but, overall, we have invested significantly in the boat rather than the bank, as interest rates have been so low. We are developing a good working relationship with Sandy Cove boatyard. Unfortunately, because of Happy Return’s allocated winter position in the harbour, we have been unable to use our new boat cover.
You all know that we need to recruit or train additional Skippers and Mates. We are setting up appropriate training with some of our members during the forthcoming season. A similar charity in Essex has had similar issues, and we have asked for their advice concerning their successful £20K grant bid. We are hoping to build links with similar charities, to share information about staffing and funding.
As far as fund-raising is concerned, Sea Salt & Sail produced good returns, merchandise is doing well, we have a sponsor for our Crew Wear, and our 50:50 Draw continues. Future events will include a curry night, a summer barbecue, and a Porthleven trip. Longer term, we hear of plans to restore the Newlyn Fish Festival, and establish the Newlyn Fish Trust, which may help us indirectly.
Our Heritage Officer Marieanne has extended our knowledge of the history of Happy Return and the MBLA, and I thank those who have contributed to this, or been interviewed.
Winter storage has been a long-standing problem. Can any members help with this, or offer a site for a storage container?
Maintenance work is already under way, so please come along on Saturdays and for anti-fouling, as shown on our Programme.
To summarise, we have made useful investments with HR’s maintenance, repairs, and conservation. We are now aiming to put together effective fund-raising plans, which will hopefully include bids for large grants to finance future work.
5b – Secretary. John Diston reported as follows:- [All Members had been notified of the AGM and its Agenda on 13th February, and also sent the Minutes of the 2022 AGM].
There had been 7 Committee Meetings since the last AGM.
5c – Treasurer. The Accounts for the Year Ending 28th February 2023 were displayed overhead, with hard copies also made available. These showed Receipts, Payments, Assets, and Liabilties. David Keast highlighted specific points as follows:-
Some Members had made large donations. Interest Rates had improved.
Merchandise sales had gone well, especially clothing, paintings, and prints. Thanks to James Walker and Carol Alway for their work with this.
Jan Pentreath’s “Trafalgar” talk had raised significant funds. Aspect Holidays had granted us £300 towards clothing.
Boat Fund Contributions were less than expected, as some trips had had to be cancelled.
Maintenance and repairs had been unusually expensive, largely because of deck and mast work, repairing leaks, and the purchase of an emergency-locator beacon. Harbour Fees were paid at Newlyn, to cover HR’s time there.
Overall, the Deficit for the year was £8,716.
5d – Membership Secretary. Mark Mitchell reported as follows:-
The current membership totalled 126, and consisted of 30 Honorary & Life Members, 39 new members (including 2 Juniors), and 57 renewed members. 32 previous members had not renewed. The majority of those joining were now doing that online. Members were asked to keep him updated with any changes to personal details, including ceasing to pay tax (which relates to our claims for Gift Aid).
6/. Election of Officers.
All 7 of the current Committee were willing to stand again in the same roles (as shown at the top of these Minutes, plus Marieanne Davey Ball). In the absence of any additional Nominations, the Chairman explained that it would be acceptable for all those to be re-elected en bloc. Doing this was unanimously agreed by the floor, effectively reinstating the existing Committee. (Proposed by Stewart Bradley; seconded by Alan Thomas).
7/. Any Other Business.
Defibrillator. Stewart Bradley asked if there had been any progress with purchasing one.
James Walker replied that some of the risks and practicalities were still unclear. The RNLI were currently carrying out trials with this in mind. The expected cost would be around £860.
Crowdfunding could be a possibility, but the MBLA would wait to establish what sort of unit would be the most suitable before initiating any specific fund.
Date of Next Annual General Meeting.
Shown on the 2023 Sailing Programme as scheduled for Wednesday 13th March 2024. (TBC).
The Meeting closed at 8.15 pm.