Thu, 15 Mar 2007
2007 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Annual General Meeting was held on the 17th March in the Lecture Theatre at the Manx Museum and a new committee was elected. The officers are listed on the front of this newsletter and in addition William Cain, Marshall Cubbon, Charles Guard, Andrew Johnson and Patricia Skillicorn were elected as members. Allison Fox, Ian Burrell, Ros Stott and Patricia Newton were also co-opted to the committee.
Various reports were presented to the meeting including one from the Hon Treasurer who reported a net surplus of £13,905 for the year and net assets of £51,075.
The Hon Excursions Secretary, Barbara Doyle, reported on a successful series of outings last summer including visits to Milntown, the Castle Mona Estate, Glen Roy, northern kettle holes, Spanish Head and various attempts on South Barrule. She thanked all those who had led or catered for the excursions, and said that the list of this summer's visits would be sent out shortly. She also confirmed that a Society visit to Ireland was being planned for September of this year, and further details and costings would be available soon.
The Hon Membership Secretary, Jack Kaighin, reported that there were now 120 life members, 151 annual members and 81 members paying by banker's order. As some of these were families, the actual number of individual members was 452. He again requested prompt payment of subscriptions as each year he had to send out over 100 reminders!
The Hon Editor of the Proceedings, Valerie Cottle, explained that Volume XI No. 4 would be out in the near future, after some delay, and that she had just been asked to take over its completion. Volume XII No. 1 would be out, on schedule, next year. She requested that all those giving lectures should provide her with their texts for publication within three months of the lecture.
The Hon Librarian, Susan Chambers, said that order forms for the new Proceedings would be posted out soon, and reminded members that there were stocks of back numbers available.
The Hon Field and Research Co-ordinator, Patricia Newton, reported on the work of the WW II Oral History scheme, and photographing of Island farms. The dragonfly survey will continue during the summer led by Kate Hawkins.
After the reports and elections members turned their attention to a resolution put forward by William Cain seeking an increase in the Society's subscription rates. After a considerable debate a vote was put, and the motion was passed 36 for and 5 against with 5 abstentions. Therefore, from March 2008, the new subscription rates will be: individual members £20, families, £25, and for anyone under 18 or in full-time education £10. Concerning Life Members, the single Life Composition will be £500, but in the case of a member who has paid a subscription for ten consecutive years a final payment of £250 will be required. In addition, all of these members will receive a free copy of the Society's Proceedings as and when published, starting with Volume XII No 1 (available at the AGM in March 2008). All other life members will be charged for the Proceedings as determined by the Committee.
The retiring President, Andrew Foxon, thanked all committee members for their work throughout the year and handed over to the new President, Kate Hawkins. There then followed two reports of recent work being undertaken in the field of antiquaries. David Radcliffe, research assistant at the Centre for Manx Studies summarised a survey he had undertaken of the documentation relating to the Nunnery Chapel. Examining early maps, prints, plans, and historic accounts of the site including letters, he gave a brief summary of what was known about the Nunnery site, and concluded that the existing Chapel was probably relatively modern (19th century), though small parts of it could contain masonry from medieval buildings, though precisely which buildings was not clear. Further archaeological investigation was needed along with the skills of a medieval masonry expert.
The second speaker was Dr Peter Davey, Director of the Centre for Manx Studies, who gave an overview of the archaeological work undertaken at Rushen Abbey since the government purchased it for the nation in 1998. He has led several digs there, and has gradually uncovered more of its complex history. He gave interesting comparisons with Cistercian Abbeys in the British Isles. Although Rushen Abbey was wealthier than many others it was physically smaller, and he attributed this to the fact that the Manx Abbey was nearer to the centre of temporal power at Castle Rushen.
Digs in various places on the Island would be continuing this year including at the Abbey and at the Nunnery and there would also be field surveys on the hills. He hoped that people would be interested in volunteering to help with these projects either for single days, or for periods of a week (or more!). If you would like to be involved in these activites, please contact the Centre for Manx Studies on 695150.
At the end of business refreshments were served.