Summary of the Minutes of the Committee Meeting held at 7.30 PM on 29th October 2024, via Zoom
Present were Cathy and Martin Houghton, Chris Jackson, Peter Miller, Hillary Moorhouse, Mat Peacock, Francis Stapleton, Nick Talbot and Tim Williams, plus Ron and Lynne Finley (non-voting Publicity Officers). Apologies for Absence were received from Bob Shell and Dave Fildes.
The Society continues to have issues with the accounts held at Barclays’ Bank, resulting from the passing of our late Treasurer, Dave Scotson, which are best not gone into in detail here. We have also been informed that Lloyd’s, which we use for day-to-day banking, will be introducing standing charges and transaction charges shortly (for instance where cheque payments are concerned). We are keeping these situations under review.
There have been further small falls in the number of members since February: 375 human members as opposed to 384. The latter was still higher than the highest figure achieved pre-COVID-19 (347) and is due in no small degree to new members recruited via the Society Stand and the Publicity Officers.
At the beginning of 2024, there were 19 numbers in the Draw Club. The majority of winners continue to donate their prizes to the Trust. Cathy and Martin encouraged people to join the Club to raise money for the Society. It costs £30.00 for 12 months which is £2.50 per month per number.
It was agreed to ask the Company for permission to hold the next AGM – complete with special trains – in the second half of May 2025. It was subsequently agreed with the General Manager that the date should be 17th May 2025. Very prominent advertising will be placed in the Llanuwchllyn Express in the hope of boosting attendance, particularly of members in person so as to justify these special trains continuing in future.
Some amendments to the Constitution were discussed for submission to the 2025 AGM. Please see the separate Members’ Area News Page post on these (“AGM 2025 – An Agendum Item”), and the article in the Winter 2024 edition of the Express.
It is planned to take a publicity stand to the Heywood Model Show (2nd November), the Manchester Model Show (14th and 15th December), the Woolwich Model Show (15th December), the Hyde Railroad Show (12th and 13th April), the Shrewsbury Model Show (probably May-June 2025) and the 7mm NG Association Show in Burton on Trent (14th June).
Some new Society merchandise was discussed, but no more will be said until it is ready! The Penrhyn Quarry Guidebooks have sold very well: 26 of the 30 so far produced had either been sold or reserved.
A separate Meeting was organised to discuss relaunching the current President’s Appeal, with which we are hoping to fund major signalling improvements to the existing railway, plus signalling equipment for the Extension.
This year’s Model Show, run on behalf of the Company, made a small profit even though visitor numbers were down on 2023. This may have been due to the weather, the economy and having fully to implement the School’s assistance-dogs-only regulations. Show Organiser Mat Peacock and the Company and Society were all very grateful to the School for letting us use their facilities. Mat would also like to thank all the Society Members who helped at the Show. The 2025 Show will take place on 20th and 21st September. At the time of the Meeting, 24 layouts and 10 traders had already been booked, meaning that there was very little space left.
The next Committee Meetings should be in January-February and late April.
