Present: Approx 20% of current membership

Apologies:
Faith Dyson, Richard & Val Blunden, Chris & Will Price, Erica Watson, Sarah & Dave Wiseman, Eileen
Taylor, Rosemary Fitzsimon, Julie Wright, Sue Brown, Lesley Wallington, Christiane Gamage, Mavis Payne,
Mike & Carol Peacock, Mel Skyrme, Julie Vince

Minutes:
Minutes of the AGM 14 May 24 were accepted.

Matters Arising:
None noted

Chair’s Report:
Welcome to members this afternoon and thank you for attending our 14th AGM.
Being Chair has been relatively easy again this year because of all the hard work put in by members of the
committee and Group Leaders.
Steve, our treasurer, completed our submission to the Charity Commission; we now have our own charity
number of 1210017.
Steve oversaw the adoption of the u3a Beacon technology, which has proved beneficial to him as Treasurer
and to Jen as Membership Secretary.
Chris has completed a successful year as Secretary and continued as Publicity Officer with reports to local
organisations.
Maggie and team have organised several events and 2 meals in August and December. The innovation of
using a minibus for one event was a success.
The turn-out for our monthly meetings has been very good; thanks go to Pauline our Speaker Secretary, and
to volunteers who help with refreshments.
We were pleased to welcome Will & Chris to the committee. The time allowed in certain committee roles is
limited so new blood is always welcome. Establishing new Groups is also important to keep the Branch
fresh.
Eileen and Nigel updated our website to the new format. We ask Group Leaders to support them by sending
information for inclusion.
We unfortunately lost two longstanding members this year. John Osborne ran the Birdwatching group from
the start and Natural History over the last few years. Stan Flukes who started the Table Tennis group in 2011
also passed away.
Erica, our Vice Chair, is not in the best of health and we send her our best wishes.
Thank you again for attending today and monthly events over the year.

Treasurer’s Report; Summary of Accounts for Last Year:
See separate table/report
Prop: Margaret 2nd: Joy

Group Co-ordinator’s Report:
Groups
Groups have continued this year; information is on the website.
Thanks to group leaders for their continuing hard work.
Sitting Pilates: Marie Thursdays 3.13-4.15
French Conversation and Birding & Natural History have new leaders, Liz Argent and Chris Johnson.
Social Events
We enjoyed meals in August and December at the Duke in Bratton and a trip to Salisbury for the Whistler
Exhibition. Then Weymouth for Sculpture by the Lake, (a suggestion from members), on a beautiful day
earlier this month; we went by minibus with Steve Crosby as driver.
Future Outings
Weymouth by rail; 15 Jul & 2 Sep 10.52, return 17.28. Meet on platform
Meal
Three Horseshoes Chapmanslade Tues 12 Aug;
2 courses £19, 3 courses £23. Further details next month.
Invitation to Photographers
From the leader of the West Wilts u3a Photography Group in Trowbridge: I wonder whether any of your members
might be interested in coming along to our meetings? We meet 3rd Friday monthly, 2.00, St Thomas Church
Rooms, Trowbridge, all abilities welcome. We will also be going out on photography walks. I can be contacted on
07836 568501 or 01225 777769. Best wishes, Marion Dewar

Resolutions:
None

Elections of Officers & Committee:
The following were elected en-block for the coming year:
Chair: Keith Melford )
Treasurer: Steve Crosby ) Prop: Viv Gliddon 2nd Jenny Ashen
Secretary: Chris Crosby )
Committee Members all happy to continue:
Group Co-Ordinator: Maggie Skyrme
Publicity & Newsletter: Chris Crosby
Speakers’ Secretary: Pauline Medhurst
Membership Secretary: Jen Faulks
Socials: Maggie, Julie, Chris P

AOB:
Liz spoke briefly about Westbury Museum, its speakers, and the fact that volunteers are desperately needed.

After the meeting we had a talk by Alison Warren on the subject of A Nice Cup of Tea, followed by a nice cup
of tea (!) and biscuits.
Alison informed us that 84% (Yes.. 84%!) of the population drink tea every day, equating to 100 million cups!
UK is the largest tea-drinking country, after Ireland and India. Best quality tea comes from the top 3 leaves of
the bush; tea made from the rest of the bush is much poorer quality.