Cymdeithas Rheilffordd Llyn Tegid
Bala Lake Railway Society
Summary Report from the Committee Meeting held at 7.30 on 30th October 2022, via Zoom and at Llanuwchllyn.
Present were Dave Fildes, Peter Miller, Hilary Moorhouse, Bob Newton, Mat Peacock, Dave Scotson, Francis Stapleton, Nick Talbot, Tim Williams. Apologies for absence were received from Cathy and Martin Houghton.
Hilary Moorhouse was formally welcomed as a new member of the Committee. Ben Barnes becomes a non-voting Adviser to the Committee.
The need for more volunteer help for the AGM (and Members’ Day) was discussed and it was suggested that one reason for the shortfall in 2022 might have been the proximity of these events to the Model Show, as well as the Gala. This proximity also put too much pressure on the organising teams. It was therefore decided to try moving the 2023 AGM back to May (the usual time for it, before Covid). This will also make it easier to combine it with an event to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Society. Following subsequent consultation with the Company, it was proposed to hold the AGM on the 20th and the Members’ Day / Anniversary Celebration on the 21st May 2023.
At the 2023 AGM, the Committee will propose moving to three-year terms for all elected offices, on the basis of research done by the Constitutional Discussion Group, and the provisional go-ahead from the 2022 AGM. A new Code of Conduct will also be presented for discussion, and work on this now begins, using the procedures from a sister railway as the starting point. New members for the Constitutional Group would be welcome.
Membership numbers have decreased slightly but are still greater than two years ago. Several people have signed up for the new Life Membership. Members and friends of the Railway are encouraged to join the Draw Club (a valuable fund-raising venture) and to buy a 2023 calendar.
Mat Peacock will continue running the Model Show next year, on behalf of the Company. The 2023 Show will take place on 16th and 17th September, subject to permission from the School. The date is a week earlier than in 2022 so as to avoid a clash with the Stafford Model Railway Exhibition, which has moved permanently to September.
The Committee backed the Company’s request for the suggested nightly fee for volunteer accommodation to be increased from £5 to £6. This is partly due to inflation, partly due to the major works that have been and will shortly be carried out and partly so as to continue to pay our vital and much-appreciated cleaner. Further improvements to the Volunteer Accommodation were discussed, including a long list of small items to be purchased and major works to be commissioned. A new, small oven will be provided. It is intended to install thermostats and timers wherever possible to prevent the wasting of electricity. The kitchen floor is to be completely renewed and most of the cupboards will be replaced.
The Secretary again suggested that the Committee needs to investigate new fundraising ideas. The Meeting closed at 9.36 PM.
