The AGM took up the first half of the evening but was preceded by awarding the competition cups for the season.This was slightly, but only slightly, embarrassing for the outgoing Chairman who had to award three cups to herself!
The Taylor Cup for the PI worker of the year was awarded to Anne Nagle getting 166 points out of a possible 180, followed by the Dixon Cup for the Print Worker of the year jointly won by Martin Tomes and Di Walker both with165 points out of 180. Then we had the Petworth Cup for the best PI of the year won by Di who also won the Emmett Cup for the best print of the year. What a fine way to finish her second and last year in office!
Tha Anonymous Cup which is awarded to the Photographer of the Year was won by Ian MacWhirter ARPS (at last!) with 326 points out of a possible 380, amazing! He would have won it countless times before if he had not deliberately eliminated himself from the running by not entering at least one competition each year. Ian is an outstanding Natural History photographer having been awarded several very high honours by the Royal Photographic Society including GOLD medals! We have several very good photographers in our small club; but Ian is THE BEST.
Finally two very important cups for the most improved members of the year. Firstly the Picthall Cup for the PI worker won by Alex Sawyer and the Rowling cup for the print worker won by Janet Brown. Well done to both of them. Later in the AGM a new rule was introduced excluding anyone from winning either of these cups in future if they have ever won any other cup.
Very well done to all the cup winners.
Then on to the main business of the AGM. After the apologies and approval of the minutes for last year's meeting, we had the Chairman's report in which she said that she felt that she had fulfilled her vision when she took on the chairmanship which was to increase the membership and to maintain a friendly club trying to cater for the needs of as many of the members as possible.
Then followed reports from the Teasurer (who reported healthy results; so the subscription need not be increased next year) and the two competition secretaries.
Then we had the re-election of next year's officers and Anne Nagle took over the Chair. Paul Hayward has agreed to be Vice Chairman with the understanding that we endeavour to find a successor to take on the Chair in two years time. Chris West is going to join the committee to take on one of the outstanding unfilled positions which are Programme Secretary and Publicity and Exhibitions. PLEASE if anyone feels they would like to help the club by either taking on one of these jobs or at least helping out with them. The second half of the evening was taken up with the auction. This was very ably carried out by Paul and Alex in a very light hearted and jovial fashion and raised a very useful total of over £150 for the funds. Thank you to both of them for their efforts.
So Di Walker rides off into the sunset having had two very successful years at the helm. It has not been at all easy for her because she was promoted at work during the first year and her new job was very demanding indeed. She often arrived at club nights having flown back from the North or the Midlands where she had done a day's work having got up before dawn to fly up country. She very often has to work at home over the weekends and one way and the other she gets exhausted, of course. Thank you Di for leaving our club so much stronger through your efforts, and good luck Anne for the next two years.