Minutes of the Thames Valley Centre Annual General Meeting

At The Queen’s Oak, Finchampstead

Monday November 23rd 2009

 

Present

Brian White, Chairman and Centre Director

Nick Crocker, Sec & Membership

David Gray, Committee Member

Dennis Horner, Committee Member

Alan Pitkin, Treasurer

Nigel Unsworth, Deputy Centre Director

Ian Foster, Committee Member

Chris Tauchert, General member

Stephen Huntington, General Member

 

 

1 Apologies for Absence

Mick Dwyer, Rob Fenton and Barry Marsh.

 

2. 2008 AGM Minutes

These were accepted and signed by Brian White.

 

3. Chairman & Secretary’s Report

 

It may be recorded that this past 2009 year was a disappointing year for the AH  Thames Valley Centre, since although an interesting and varied  Events Programme had been planned for the TV members , the response from our membership was extremely disappointing for all of these events!

The year for the whole Austin Healey Club was centred on the activities that each Centre arranged to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 3000 model.

Indeed the Club held a total of 8 such Celebrations throughout the summer months and across the country, and each was attended by both members from that Centre, as well as visiting club members, who travel to particular events.

For the Thames Valley Centre’s Celebration Event, a lot of work was expended in arranging a very varied day’s event covering breakfast in Marlow, a tour of Thames Bridges and a great boat ride and lunch along the Thames River from Oxford down to Abingdon. The weather was acceptable and the day was enjoyed and well appreciated by those who attended.

As Chairman for the Thames Valley Centre of the Club, I have to record that I found the year to be concerning as the TV Committee had arranged a number of good events, which were all poorly attended by the TV membership. So it raises the serious question as to whether there is a future for the Austin Healey Thames Valley Centre. If its membership does not participate in its events – then there is little reason to maintain its presence, since if events are only attended by committee members, then there is little reason to continue with the Thames Valley Centre. I am proposing (and I believe the TV committee will support me) that your Committee remains in place for another year and during this coming year, we will arrange for TV events, which hopefully will be inputted into, and supported by, the TV members. If next year is as poorly attended as has been the past – then the future of the TV Centre will need to be further considered.

As Chairman, I wish to express the Committee’s thanks to our Secretary, Mr Nick Crocker, in his maintenance of his position during this summer where his health has not permitted him to maintain his normal speed of activity! It can be recorded that his health progress is positive. So I will undertake a summary of the Secretary’s Report on the year’s Events for the past year, as under:-

May – Shire Horse Social Gathering for new season – a total of 3 members’ cars attended during the lunch time session in the pub – a good chat was had and hopes for the forthcoming social and racing season were expressed.

June – The Double 12 Event at Brooklands had to be cancelled by the organisers due to the financial situation of this year. It is hoped this historic event will be held next year.

June – RAF Brize Norton – a full turnout of Healey cars attended, as the car numbers were restricted by the RAF due to ongoing construction works at the Base. However it was a pity that only 4 Healey cars from TV attended, as the rest of the cars came from the New Forest Centre. The day was great for both weather and interest – particularly as the Vulcan plane was there and flew – a sight and sound not to be missed!

July – Silverstone – AH Club attended, and held its own racing, at Silverstone – all at the invitation of the MG Car Club- a good day was enjoyed. A Club event.

August – Shuttleworth Air Show – lovely weather, good beer and magnificent old flying planes and classic cars, both as exhibits and in the air and on the ground. Terrible attendance at such a great day since only 5 committee members were there, and no TV members attended.

September – The Thames Bridges Tour – our TV 3000 Celebration Event – great day as reported above – but disappointing attendance from TV members as only 6 TV member cars came from 26 cars in total, where there was an equal number of cars from SW Centre ( 6 cars).

November – GoKarting – 11 teams attended from all Centres and individual locations (Rawles and University) – only one team from TV but 4 members in other teams from TV. A great and enjoyable event – Many thanks to Alan Pitkin for his calm and efficient organisation again.

December – Quiz Night – this has been cancelled due to lack of interest from our members.

 

 

4. Director’s Report

 

The  Director, Mr Brian White and Deputy Director Mr Nigel Unsworth, representing Thames Valley Centre on the Austin Healey Club’s National Executive Committee, reported on the  NEC’s annual activities as under :-

1) The National Regalia Secretary wishes to resign and NEC has requested if any interested party from any Centre would volunteer to undertake these essential and not too arduous activities.

2) The HDI group is planning to change its title to remove the “International” part and become “Healey Sport” – this will be discussed at the NEC’s AGM on 6th December.

3) Eight Austin Healey Centre Events were successfully held during this past summer to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 3000. Unfortunately the historic Double 12 event to be held at Brooklands was cancelled by the organisers (Mercedes Benz and Brooklands Club) due to economic considerations.

4) The 50th Anniversary of the formation of the Austin Healey Club is due in 2011, and the NEC wishes to set up a working party with volunteers from Centres so as assist in organising a celebration event. It is currently envisaged that this event will be held somewhere in central England. Nigel Unsworth has indicated that he might be able to so assist (as he hopes to be retired – with more available time – by that year).

5) The Austin Healey European Event is due to be held in 2013 and the UK Section of the Club is assigned the task of its organisation. This is currently being handled for the NEC by Peter Dulieu.

6) It is currently envisaged that in future that each Centres Financial Reserves will be published in RevCounter. This proposition will  probably be approved at the forthcoming NEC AGM.

 

 

5. Treasurer’s Report

 

The Bank Balance had reduced during the year by approximately £1100 to £9517. This was largely due to the cost of the Thames Bridges event (c £1000) and partially to the reduced rebate per member (at £6.50/month compared with the previous £7.50). The Treasurer requested that tnhe rebate be reinstated at £7.50. This will be raised at the next NEC meeting.                                                                                         BRIAN WHITE

A vote of thanks was given to Alan Pitkin for the security and diligence of his efforts as Treasurer.

The draft accounts are attached.

 

6. Membership Secretary’s Report

 

Membership stands at 148 (plus one new member joining just after the AGM) compared with 154 the previous year.

The re-arrangement of the membership file sent from Centre was greatly improved and is easier to use. There are still some concerns over detailed data validity, arising from both the Treasurer’s and Secretary’s email addresses not having been amended promptly and not till repeated reminders had been issued earlier in the year.

 

7. Webmaster’s Report

 

The web site has been kept up to date, but there has been little activity. There is a need for more (and more current) photos of members and their cars. 

The question was raised: does the site have a hit counter?                      ROB FENTON

 

8. Election of Officers

 

The following Candidates offered themselves for re-election on the Austin Healey Thames Valley Centre’s Committee for the Year 2009 to 2010 and were duly re-elected:-

 

Chairman                                                                          Mr Brian White

Director                                                                             Mr Brian White

Treasurer                                                                           Mr Alan Pitkin

Secretary and Membership Liaison Officer                      Mr Nick Crocker

Web Master                                                                       Mr Rob Fenton

Deputy Director                                                                 Mr Nigel Unsworth

Committee Members                                                         Mr Mick Dwyer

                                                                                           Mr Ian Foster

                                                                                           Mr David Gray

                                                                                           Mr Dennis Horner

                                                                                           Mr Barry Marsh

 

 

9. AOB

 

  1. Possible Events were Brainstormed:

-         Historic House visit. To be investigated by           DENNIS HORNER

-         Repeat of the Shuttleworth visit or visit Duxford. IAN FOSTER to get details opf public days and event type.

-         Visit to the Polo Club at Ham. Chris Tauchert, as a member of that Club, would be asked to facilitate.

-         The Ace Café

-         A photo event

-         Possible charity event

-         Open track day. To be investigated by      NIGEL UNSWORTH

-         A joint event with MG/TR. To be investigated by        BRIAN WHITE

-         Stoke Poges Golf Club a possible venue (David Gray)

 

  1. IAN FOSTER volunteered to prepare a questionnaire to be sent to members                                                                                                      asking what it is that they want from Thames Valley AH Centre.

 

C. Next meeting will be on 25th January 2010 at The Shire Horse, Littlewick Green,     the purpose of which is to set a calendar of events for the year. The 3 members with specific investigations to carry out (as in 9.A above) are asked to report back.

All members are asked to come with ideas for events.                                             ALL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 DRAFT ACCOUNTS 2009

 

 

Austin Healey Club – Thames Valley Centre (TVC)

Balance Sheet – As of 5th November 2009

 

 

 

                                                                                             £                             £

                                                                                          2009                       2008

 

                                                                                                                                    CURRENT ASSETS

 

                                                                                          Cash at Bank                9,517.09 10,628

 

                                                                                          Debtors                         

                                                                                          None

 

 

                                                                                          Difference between 2008/2009    -1111

 

 

                                                                                                                                    EXPENDITURE        INCOME

 

 

                                                                                          Membership Refunds from NEC

                                                                                          145 members @ £6.50/member               942.50

 

                                                                                          Sale of Christmas Cards              364.22

 

                                                                                          Total Income 2008/2009              1306.72

 

 

                                                                                          Pre-payments (Go-Karting Event – Nov 14th)   350

 

 

 

 

                                                                                          EXPENDITURE              INCOME

 

                                                                                          RECENT EXPEDITURE

 

 

                                                                                          Entry and Parking for Shuttleworth Air Pagent 125

                                                                                          Advertising - Event Poster    25.00

                                                                                          Entries Received                         82.5

                                                                                          Centre Subsidy                                                                             -67.5

 

 

                                                                                          Thames Bridges (Healey 50th Anniversary) Event

Advertising - Event Poster                                                  25.00

                      Revcounter Insert                                         83.60

Compleat Angler – Deposit                                                 180.00

                    - Final                                                            32.50

£4.50/person – Final account was for 47 charges

 

Boat Hire – Deposit                                                            380.00

        - Final                                                                        380.00

Final count for boarding was 50

 

Band Hire – Deposit                                                           N/A

         - Final                                                                       667.00

 

Boat Food -                                                                       1288.00

Final charge was 48 @ £28 + VAT (£32.2) – Final              257.60

 

Prizes                                                                                 96.19

 

Secure Parking                                                                   50.00

 

Boat Gratuities                                                                    40.00

 

Refund to Ian Foster -

Mechanical breakdown en-route to Boat,

did not attend River Trip                                                     25.00

 

Entries                                                                                                                       2400.00

                                                                                                                           as of 24/10/2009

 

Total Expenditure forthe Event                                      3504.89

 

DIFFERENCE:  assuming Total income no Debitors                                          -984.89

                                                                                          Centre Subsidy                                              -984.89

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                          EXPENDITURE              INCOME

 

                                                                                          CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

                                                                                          Entries to be collected (Go-Karting Event – Nov 14th)

                                                                                          (11 Teams @ £160/Team, one team of 5 – extra £40)

                                                                                                                                    1800

                                                                                          Overall Go-Karting Event Cost  2068

                                                                                          Centre Subsidy                                                     -268

 

                                                                                          NET CURRENT ASSETS

 

Cash at Bank (350 already paid for Karting)                 9517.09

                                                                                            350

 

Total Income – 2008/2009                                                                                      1306.72

 

Total Events Subsidies 2008/2009                                                                                              -1320.39