MINUTES OF THE A.G.M. OF THE WHS N.E. BRANCH HELD 15.10.2005

The meeting was held at Crook Methodist church following an excellent lecture by Dr Sue Jackson. 23 members were present.

1. Apologies for absence. Apologies were received from: Rev. Tom Ellison; Rev. Robert Wakefield; Colin Orr; Margaret Easton; Geoffrey Fisher; Mary Brydon; Edwin Smith; John Herdman. It was noted that Rev Robert Wakefield (past Chairman of the Branch) has had a stroke and the Chairman agreed to write him passing on our good wishes.

2. The minutes of the last A.G.M. were agreed, with one amendment. It was pointed out that the late opening of the Lit. and Phil. Library (minute 11) has changed from 9pm to 8pm.

3. The report of the Registrar was received with thanks. It was noted that Vic has done well in tidying up the membership lists and getting in back payments.

4. The Treasurer presented his report, which showed a healthy state of affairs in regard to the finances of the Branch.

5. Publications. There are still some copies of ‘The Travelling Preacher’ left but these are selling only slowly now.
Andrea appealed for more articles for the Bulletin, and apologised for omissions and errors in the last one. Lorrie Bronsema’s daughter has been in hospital and Lorrie was not able to do her usual invaluable work with the Bulletin. It was suggested that, now that we have a member of the Branch from the Independent Methodist Church, an article on some aspect of Independent Methodist would be interesting.

6. A vote of appreciation was given to all the officers serving on the committee, and it was noted that the Secretary wishes to relinquish the post next year.

7. Future meetings are arranged as follows: 18th March 2006 at Blackhall Colliery, Hartlepool, with Vic Branfoot; 14th October 2006 at Brunswick, Newcastle, with Rev. the Lord Leslie Griffiths; 6th June 2006 between 7pm and 8.30pm a visit to Durham Record Office, maximum number 25; an evening AGM and members’ evening at Stocksfield Methodist Church on 11th November 2006. It was suggested that at some time a meeting at an Independent Methodist Church might be arranged.

8. Any other business. 2007, the tercentenary of Charles Wesley’s birth and the bicentenary of Primitive Methodism will, it is hoped, be celebrated with a significant event at the Sage.
Kenneth Mankin has a copy of a play for 5 actors about Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the centenary of whose birth will fall in 2007. It is a play which can be read, so no parts have to be learned, and is available from Kenneth for any church group to use.
The Methodist Art Collection, based in London, is going to be made available in other parts of the country, and will be at Ushaw College in June/July when the Wesley Study Centre will be holding a Summer School.

There being no other business, the meeting closed with the Benendiction.