The Eleventh Annual General Meeting of The Widecombe and District Local History Group was held at The Church House, Widecombe on Wednesday 7th May 2008 at 7.30 p.m.
 
Apologies: Marcia Babbington, Alan Goodall, Carl Haywood, Tony Jewell and Bessie French.
 
The AGM preceded the normal May meeting and was chaired by Mary Pascoe and 52 people attended.
 
The minutes of the Tenth AGM were read and agreed having been signed as correct at the previous June meeting in 2007.
 
Treasurer’s report:
Jenny Pascoe presented the accounts for the year ending February 2008. This showed a surplus of income over expenditure of £1183.90. Our publications are continuing to sell and the Widecombe Fair book has already recouped all our costs in production so from now on we will be in profit with every copy we sell.
The balance of our cash assets is £3992.64.
The accounts were adopted and a vote of thanks was unanimously expressed to Jenny and also to Andrew Tilt for auditing our accounts. Jenny said that she would like someone to offer to take on the post of treasurer during the next twelve months and she would assist them all she could.
It was decided that we should make some donations to local groups. We always contribute £50 to the Parish Link in December of each year. This year it was agreed to donate £100 to Leusdon Memorial Hall. £100 to The Church House Management Committee to help with their maintenance. £200 to Widecombe Fair Committee towards the cost of supplying the Heritage Marquee for this years Fair on September 9th 2008.
 
Chairman’s Report:
Mary Pascoe reminded us of what a busy year we have had. Visiting and having talks on such a variety of subject among others quarrying, mining, clapper bridges, Exeter during the war, archaeology, geophysical surveys, orchards, tithe map and of course the launch of our “History of Widecombe Fair” book. She thanked the whole membership for their support in everything we undertake and how everyone ‘does their bit’ in making the group such a success. The things that get done every meeting that seemingly do not get noticed but if they were not done would alter the whole group. She mentioned the tea ladies, those that turn up early and set out all the chairs, the programme organisers, librarian and walk organisers, those that man our book stalls, take photographs and keep records as well as the officers secretary, treasurer etc that put in hours of work and to all the members for giving her a chance to chair  the group for the past year, ‘it has been a learning curve for me’ she said.
 
Secretary's report:
Anthony said that the success of the group is due to the whole membership for their enthusiasm and support for everything the group organises. He thanked Mary our chairman for all she had done and the treasurer Jenny for controlling our finances so efficiently. Everyone who has taken office during the past year has given him such encouragement and support. The Widecombe Fair Book has been an outstanding success after more than two years of research and hours of meetings the team certainly produced a winner. We are taking a break from writing books but some of those that virtually ate, drank and slept Widecombe Fair for two years are suffering withdrawal symptoms. Rest assured this will not last long. “The North Hall/ Widecombe Town Manor Project” instigated by Peter Rennells, soon after the foundation of our group, has now taken on a new lease of life and there is a need for a team to be built around Peter to further his investigations. We record a vote of thanks to Michael, Lorna and David Skinner
for their support and co-operation in our North Hall investigations. Celia Steven’s of the Merryweather family, of Bramley Apple Fame, has given her assistance into understanding the North Hall Apple Orchard and the trees still growing there. We hope to further this association and with the co-operation of the Skinner family perhaps create a community orchard and encourage the school to take an interest, we shall see!
Thanks were expressed to Roger Claxton for our community website, involving many hours of work keeping it up to date and so interesting.
It is impossible to name everyone but thanks to all those members that have manned the stalls, the heritage marquee, the dinner, and generally ‘runningabout doing things for the group’, taking part in various challenges, even collecting scrap iron and with the aid of a tin of paint creating quality exhibits and so the list goes on! Our tea ladies, you are so important, we could not function without our ‘cuppa’ halfway through our meetings.
He then produced for all to see “The Uncle Tom Cobley and All” - ‘Mechanical Horse’ that has come our way. This was made by Mr Harry Price of Drewsteignton c1950 and was once shown at Widecombe Fair.
We have traced Christine Price his niece and she had lost contact with it. It still belongs to their family but they hope that when it is restored that it will be put on permanent display in Widecombe and the Price family will get a plaque made presenting it to the parish from their family. We all look forward to that day.
He continued by saying that the election of officers will now follow. Please volunteer to join any of the ‘sub-committees’ set up to further our projects as this all helps with the work load..
Again many thanks to you all for your enthusiasm, support and encouragement.

Election of Officers:
 
Mrs Mary Pascoe then resigned her post as Chairman and proposed her Vice-chairman Roger Whale for the post. Agreed unanimously.
 

• Chairman.   Roger Whale.

 
other appointments:
 

• Vice-chairman.   Roger Claxton.
• Treasurer.   Jenny Pascoe.
• Secretary.   Anthony Beard.
• Ass. Secretary.   Peter Rennells.
• Website Co-ordinator.  Roger Claxton.
• Archive Researchers.  Peter Rennells & John Kimber.
• Programme & Outings.  Ann Claxton & Wendy Beard.
• Newsletter & Project Secretary. Sue Booty.
• Heritage Marquee.  Peter & Aileen Carrett.

 
Volunteers then came forward to help with team work:

• Alan & Mary Goodall joined The Archive Researchers.
• Maggie Faulkner & Mary Pascoe joined The Programme & Outings.
• Peter Rennells, Rodney Cruze & John Kimber joined The Heritage Marquee.

 
Sue Booty requested that members should in future add to the interest in The Newsletters by contributing short articles or points of interest and information  on the activities of the group.