The Fourteenth Annual General Meeting of The Widecombe History Group was held at The Church House, Widecombe on Wednesday 4th May 2011 at 7.30 p.m.

Apologies:       Barbara Norrish, Arthur & Rosemary Wrayford, Michael & Mo Wright, Roger Whale, Dot Jones, Derek & Lynne Hext, and Wendy Cruze.

This AGM was held prior to our monthly meeting. Mr Terry French was in the chair and 38 members attended.

The minutes of the 2010 meeting having been read and signed as correct at the meeting held on 2nd June 2010 were formally adopted. 

Chairman's report:

Terry French thanked all the members for their continued support during the past year and said how much he had enjoyed being chairman and was pleased to report that the group was still going from strength to strength. He thanked the secretary for his support and all the work done over the past twelve months. He thanked Roger & Ann Claxton for the work that they have put in obtaining grants towards our heritage project and the digitising programme that they have set in motion. He also thanked them for the outings and programme organising, the tea ladies for their work each month, our archivist and researchers and everyone else who had contributed to the group's success. He also mentioned how the idea of using the 'reading room' as a heritage centre could not be finalised, and the idea of using the rear of the church which did not materialise but on a positive note he mentioned the idea now being pursued for a purpose built Heritage & Educational Centre adjoining the Parish Carpark in the Parish Field and how initial support had been shown by both the Parish Council and The Dartmoor National Park Authority.

Roger Claxton presented the financial report for the year ending 28th February 2011. This showed a favourable financial state of the group. He pointed out that last years accounts showed a balance of £6678.19 and this years accounts showed a balance of £6771.36. This was a very satisfactory state of affairs as we have purchased during the year equipment to the value of £1653.66 which has meant that we have commenced digitising the parish records. He mentioned that this project has got off to a good start with four groups of four members involved. The problem was that we could do with a room to continue this work unheeded, as setting up and dismantling the equipment takes time at each session. It is hoped that this may get easier in the near future with an offer of a room at The Cafe on the Green, this is being explored. Sam Boustead proposed and Peter Carrett seconded that the accounts should be adopted. Carried unanimously, with a vote of thanks to Roger being recorded.

Stock in hand, books etc recorded as approximately £795.00.

          We may need to register as a charity as our receipts are now in access of £5000 per annum. Roger will look into this and if this proves necessary we will need trustees. The meeting appointed John Walling, Roger Claxton and Anthony Beard to act as trustees if this needs be.

Anthony Beard began by thanking everyone who had assisted him during the past year. He also thanked all the members for their continued support with everything that the group had undertaken. He thanked all the officers for their hard work. He too mentioned the disappointment that the Heritage & Educational Centre had not proceeded further, but he was very optimistic for the future of this project. The success of this group is the fact that every meeting was a 'social event' where all members appeared to enjoy the meetings and the events planned, but also the fact that there was always serious research, recording the history of the parish and a wonderful variety of speakers that inspired us all. The minutes of our meeting over the past fourteen years are a history book in itself. We have assisted many people from far and wide since our humble beginnings in 1997 and we are continuing to do so. With our minutes being available 'on-line' it appears that people all over the world read and respond to them. This keeps the secretary busy, answering emails etc but it all adds to good publicity for the parish. Our continued association with Widecombe Fair is an important part of the day and we have an excellent programme lined up for The Heritage Marquee for 2011. He thanked all retiring officers for their support, some having been in office for several years and this led to the election officers for the next year.

Researchers                  John Kimber, Mary Pascoe & Peter Rennells

Website Co-ordinators   Roger Claxton & Sue Boustead

Programme & Outings   Wendy Beard, Mary Pascoe, Marcia Babbington & Aileen Carrett.

Heritage Marquee          Aileen & Peter Carrett, Maggie Faulkner, Terry French,

Management Committee:

          Sue Boustead, Margaret Phipps, Roger Claxton, Anthony Beard, Jenny Pascoe, Mary Pascoe, Terry French, Ann Claxton, and Sam Boustead.

Heritage & Educational Committee:

          Sue Boustead, Margaret Phipps, Roger Claxton, Anthony Beard, Ann Claxton, Jenny Pascoe, Mary Pascoe, Terry French, Sam Boustead, John Walling, Roger Whale, Wendy Beard, Rodney Cruze, Peter Carrett and Mike Wright.

If either of the above two committees need to co-opt additional members it is in order for them to do so.

The meeting closed at 7.55 p.m.