1. Present.
20 members were present and apologies received from a further 8.

2. Minutes of the last AGM. The minutes of the 2008 AGM were approved.

3. Matters arising. There were no matters arising.

4. Secretary’s Report. The Secretary thanked all those who had contributed to the running of the Club in 2008, Kay for organising refreshments, Caroline & Paul for their respective entertaining quiz’s and committee members for providing Xmas party food. We enjoyed some outstanding speakers and tried not to re-visit familiar gardens. David and Carol ran a very successful garden event in June for the benefit of the club and we all thank them for their efforts. This year has seen the introduction of the village web site on which our club is represented. Members are welcome to participate and make contributions, the format being via David Williams in ‘e’mail form as an attachment. The club is attempting to improve communications with it’s membership by using ‘e’mails, this of course requires co-operation from all involved by producing individual addresses.

5. Treasurer’s Report. Copies of the accounts were distributed showing a favourable balance sheet of £411.91. This had been achieved through a larger membership, plant sale contribution that in turn had allowed us to offer better raffle prizes and engage alternative speakers.

6. Chairman’s Report. A full programme of speakers and outside visits had been arranged for
2008. Membership had increased to 43 due to the committee’s efforts in advertising the club’s activities.

7 Election of Officers.

Ray Jordan was elected as Chairman
David Williams was elected as Treasurer
Tony Wilson was elected as Secretary
Caroline, Margaret, Kay and Anne and Bernice were elected as committee members.

8. Setting of Subscription for 2009.

The Treasurer proposed the simplification of membership rates by adopting a single joining fee of £5.00per person, with the provision that to encourage younger members, under 18’s and full time students could join free of charge. This proposal was adopted after a vote and would apply as from now.

9. AOB
1. It was suggested from the floor and agreed that a post of vice-chairman would be a useful function.
2. Tony Wiltshire as the Parish Council liaison representative asked if any members who were also allotment holders had any comment that he could feed back to the council. There were no observations but he remains available for future reference.
3. A Xmas function would be held in December. A non-returnable charge would be made for attending with members providing food, costs being reimbursed. Announcements would be made in October and November.
4. Members suggested venues for visits such as Rousham Park (afternoon?) Stowe Gardens, Westonbirt (coach) Malvern Spring Show and Bourton on the Hill, all of which the new committee would consider at it’s first meeting on 23rd January
5. The chairman observed that there did not seem to be available any club rules. He volunteered to draw up such a document and at a subsequent meeting offer it for comment before any proposal for its adoption by the club members.

The meeting closed at 8.30pm and was followed by the now traditional Paul Hodges Quiz.

Tony Wilson
12th January 2008.