Auchencairn History Society Steering Group – Minutes of Meeting held on 20/8/14
Present: Dennis Binns, Janet Foreman, Keith Kerrison, Marian Makins, John Simpson
Dennis
Thanks were expressed by John, and seconded with enthusiasm by all present, for Dennis’s work over the 15 years he has dedicated to the Society. He has edited the Newsletter, undertaken research, written articles, and organised exhibitions of material; in effect he has been the mainstay of the AHS since its inception.
Financial Report
The Treasurer reported that the bank balance at 27/6 was £1733. Income was mainly from membership subscriptions (£114), sales of Monographs (£!8), and a payment from the Stewartry Museum for Monographs sold there (£42). Expenses were Smallprint (£96) and postage (£41).
The financial situation was very satisfactory.
Newsletter
It was agreed that the Newsletter is the most important feature of the Society for the members. Stuart is taking on the Editorial responsibility and the following items were known to be finished or in preparation for the next edition:
1/ editorial: this to be about Dennis and Stuart – MM still to do
2/ 3.5 pp on Nancy Aitken (plus photos)
3/ 4pp approx on Carlyle and his local importance
4/ Researching Local History 2pp + Broughton House Library 1.5 pp (can be held over for another edition)
5/ approx 10 pp from Innes McLeod (already sent to Stuart)
Dr David Devereux had agreed to write regularly for us, so he might be able to contribute to this edition (MM to contact).
Noted for a future edition:
Dennis is compiling an article on the history of car manufacture locally. He also mentioned a possible article on the Paddy Line (Willie Gault).
MM had asked Freda to consider writing an account of the Church Guild, which had existed from 1910 – 2014.
Matters arising from the President’s Report
JS stated that the Society is in a state of flux at present. He reiterated thanks to Dennis for all he had done – including producing over 800 pages for the Newsletter over 15 years.
One or two events should be held each year; the AGM should be held in the Murray Hall, perhaps with a speaker, or display, to remind people of the Society’s continuing existence.
In place of the quarterly planning meetings a small ‘Steering Group’ should meet twice yearly.
The website has broadened the Society’s appeal greatly. KK volunteered to obtain statistics showing how many people accessed it; it has high usage, especially with people from abroad.
Captain Craig’s House
Bill Barlow was renovating 15/17 Main Street (Captain Craig’s House) and had invited any members of the Society who wished to see the property and some artefacts discovered during the work. This invitation was gladly accepted and the date of 23 August agreed.
Coffee Morningand Display, Saturday 27 September
A coffee morning in aid of a cancer charity had been arranged for the above date, and a display of AHS material, it had been agreed with the organisers, would form an additional attraction.
The ‘Village Trail’ leaflet would be used, perhaps with a copy on each table, and names collected from those interested in going on the walk in the spring. The display material would be mainly pictorial, and the setting out would be informal, using existing material.
John kindly volunteered to set up the hall display boards.
Monographs
These continued to sell at Barry Smart’s and at the Stewartry Museum. It was decided, on Dennis’s recommendation, that the last one, number 10, should be the end of the series. If new Monographs were published in future, they should form another series.
Media/Images
Keith reported as follows:
1/ some images, especially those of recent events, which are on the Auchencairn website have not yet been linked to the AHS website. Keith is looking at how best to do this.
2/ the National Library of Scotland website shows the whole of Scotland in map form from the early C19 to 1961. Slides of Google Earthmap can be aligned with these to show the changes that have taken place in any particular location.
3/ the NLS also has a film of a train journey in 1965 to Stranraer, showing interesting detail of the area at that time. It has a commentary. Keith would add this to the website, and would also send in details of this for the Newsletter.
Auchencairn Initiative – Smugglers
On behalf of the Auchencairn Initiative, Keith had been involved in the proposed buying of the Smugglers by creating the necessary website. The Initiative intended to sell shares to raise money for the purchase and would bring out a prospectus about their plans.
It was agreed that this should be published on the Society’s website. The Smugglers is a listed building and as such deserves support, and is also a valuable centre in the village. Experience shows that many people overseas are interested in the village and therefore it was desirable to make the proposal known as widely as possible, both at home and overseas.
AOB
It was agreed that some form of repository for the archive material held by Dennis & Marian has become necessary. John offered to let the Society store material in the newly cleared space under the stage of the Murray Hall. Keith and Marian both reported having trunks in their lofts which might be suitable for storing the archives, and would check to see if the trunks could be locked as this was essential.
AUCHENCAIRN HISTORY SOCIETY
Minutes of AGM 19/8/14
Present, Denis Binns, Janet Foreman, Keith Kerrison, Marian Makins, John Simpson
Apologies Alex Berrie, David Devereux, Duncan Hempstock,William Johnston, Alastair Penman
The President welcomed those present, and presented her annual report:
President’s Report 2013-14
This year has seen a slightly different emphasis evolving in the Society. For some time, our quarterly planning meetings have been less productive than in the past, as many of the regular contributors have become unable to attend and hence less in the way of new material has resulted from the meetings. This has prompted us to take stock of our resources and to consider what our members nowadays want. A number of helpful discussions have taken place with various of the long term members to give guidance on how the Society might best be taken forward.
There is general agreement that the Newsletter is the item of most interest for our membership. It is and has consistently been characterised by an extensive range of contributions and by a high editorial standard. It is the principal means through which we maintain contact with members and publish some of our latest research. All this is due to the work, dedication, and skills of our Editor, Dennis Binns.
Dennis has edited the Newsletter for fifteen years, producing two editions every year with scholarly and meticulous regularity. As well as editing he has contributed numerous erudite and interesting articles himself, and as our contributors often mention, has been of great help to others in their work for the Newsletter. Now, Dennis has decided that the time has come when he must stand down from his post. His many other commitments are leaving him with insufficient time to continue his work as Editor – though he will, I am sure, continue to delight us with articles and research such as his time permits.
So, that is the sad news. Now for the good news; I am delighted to tell you that Stuart Wilson has volunteered to take over the position of Editor. We are indeed fortunate that Stuart, with his wealth of local knowledge and his publishing experience, will now take the Newsletter forward. This is a great opportunity, and I am sure that we will see some changes, but the high standard of our Newsletter will continue.
Although there will no longer be regular quarterly meetings, we are not going into hiding! The Society hopes to present some form of event once or twice a year, or as opportunities arise. The first of these takes place on September 27, when we plan to have a display of material as an accompaniment to a village coffee morning. The purpose of such events is to inform people, particularly those who are new to the village, of all that the Society has to offer about Auchencairn.
I would like to thank our officers who keep the Society working smoothly. John Simpson, our Treasurer/Membership Secretary, does valuable work keeping the membership records up to date, and preparing and presenting his very clear financial reports. This involves considerable work throughout the year, and I am most grateful to John for undertaking it on our behalf.
Keith Kerrison has continued to develop the website which is now a major means of communication for the Society. Much current material, such as the annual accounts, is available on the website, as is the majority of the archives. The website is attractive to see and access to material is straightforward and quick, so that it is an easy way for people to contact us, as many do, with information about the village, or requests for help with some personal research.
Finally, as ever, I would like to thank you, the members, for your continuing support and interest, with which the Society could not exist. Please do continue to support the Society in any way you can – we would be happy to hear of your ideas for our future.
Treasurer’s Report and Annual Accounts
The Treasurer presented the Annual Accounts and his report. The closing balance for the year ended 30/3/14 was £1697. The books had been examined for the year and the requisite documents would be available shortly for the President to complete the Oscar Report. Membership subscriptions were high this year, but the Treasurer explained that, now there is the option of paying for 2 or 3 years at once, the subscription income each year fluctuates. The Monographs continue to sell and had produced £144 this year, and this was pleasing especially as there had been no new publications in the series. Overall, the financial situation was healthy.
The President thanked the treasurer for his work throughout the year.
[The Annual Accounts will be available on the website shortly].
Election of Office Bearers
As explained above, Dennis Binns had decided to stand down from his role as Editor of the Newsletter, and the position had been taken over by Stuart Wilson.
The other existing office bearers agreed to stand for another year.
This completed the AGM.