Former Pupils Association AGM Minutes 2015
Baines School Former Pupils Association
Minutes of the 109th Annual General Meeting
Held at St. Annes Old Links Golf Club
on Saturday 7th March 2015 commencing at 5.15 pm
Present:
David Stead, President, David R Jesson, Secretary, Mike Baron, Treasurer, R J M McCowan
Headteacher, and Messrs, Ardron, Croft, Denner, Hill, Johnstone, Miller, Palfreyman, Robins,
Roscoe, Strachen, Swire, Thompson, Wilkinson
Members stood in remembrance of Former Pupils who had died since the last meeting.
R S B Brewer, Frederick Kershaw Dixon, Leonard Alfred Haworth.
1. Welcome:
The President welcomed all those who had attended
2. Apologies for Absence:
Apologies had been received from Messrs Bligh, Johnston, Mather, Parkinson, Spencer, R. Stead, and
Tavaner
3. Minutes of the 108th Annual General Meeting:
Copies of the minutes had been made available to all present, who accepted them as a true record of the
meeting. Approved by Neil Palfreyman, seconded by Arnold Robins
4. Matters arising from the minutes
Those present were informed that the £200.00 for the Nepal Trip had been donated, and that Geoff
Denner had received a thank you letter from Mr Ross Raeburn organiser of the trip.
5. President’s Remarks:
Welcome, everyone, to this the 109th Annual General Meeting of the Association.
It seems such a short time since you did me the honour of inviting me to be President, and
that time has gone both quickly but also, for me, very memorably. It will remain a year of which I
have been proud to represent both the Association and the school which meant so much in formative
years, and continues to exert a significant influence on both work and leisure activity.
Shortly I will pass on the chain of office to Ian, with whom I shared many cricket matches in
the Fylde League. We pass again on the field as he comes in to bat. He usually batted higher than
me, but today I am batting at 108 and he is at 109. I am sure that the innings will continue and
flourish.
The year has seen the traditional events organised and executed in the expected impeccable
style. We enjoyed the St George’s Day dinner at Singleton Lodge, and the speaker was well
tolerated – I’m sorry, I’ll read that again – the speaker was, well, tolerated!
Page 1 of 6
D:\106747763.doc
Former Pupils Association AGM Minutes 2015
The Crown Green bowling at Pilling’s Golden Ball was a splendid evening thanks to Stan
and the Golf Day at Knott End Golf Club, which was a first for me, was well supported and enjoyed
by all – thank you Mike
Both events were rounded off by a superb meal
Still on the subject of nourishment, the Barbecue held at School was again a welcomed time
of friendship – the cooks were up to their normal high standards and the desserts filled the tables of
what, to me, looked suspiciously like the gymnasium – I am assured it is a dining room. They’ll tell
you owt! The 10 pin bowling remains on the back burner, but has good prospects for the future.
Because of other commitments, mostly working, I have not been able to attend any of the bimonthly Luncheon Clubs, and was out of the country at the time of the Christmas Lunch – but I did
think of you. We must continue to support these events, which help to maintain the spirit of the
Association, and I gather, perpetuate some of the legends of Baines
I felt very privileged to represent the Baines at Kirkham and at Arnold – one was a
tremendous high, the other a shade worrying. I noticed at Kirkham hanging on the wall of the school
hall a very large and fearsome looking sword, cutlass, sabre – I have no idea which. The worrying
bit was that we at Baines stopped short at detention as a deterrent.
At Arnold, I was greeted and shook hands with a gentleman who I last saw at Bloomfield
road – and after this season, wished he was still there. What a privilege to meet Jimmy Armfield
So my year comes to its end – thank you for the honour of this last year. Thank you to all
those who work so hard to maintain this association – hard work which is carried out quietly but
very successfully – the Baines’ Way
It is my pleasure now to welcome my friend, team mate and official sampler of the BBQ
desserts to this office – I wish Ian a most enjoyable and successful year to come.
Thank you
6. Correspondence:
Correspondence had been received from Mike Hamer asking why we had not changed our name.
I duly replied. Also a letter from Michael Sherrocks asking for contact by anyone who remembers him.
The secretary said he would read his letter in full at the dinner
7. Financial Report
Mike Baron presented the Audited accounts for the period ending 30th November 2013
The account therefore read as follows
Income:
2012
2013
2014
Members Subscriptions
2751
2483
2310
Bank Interest
1
31
31
Surplus on Functions
57
16
17
Donations
25
0
250
Total
2834
2530
2608
Expenditure:
Printing & Stationery
Postages
School Magazines
Newsletters
Donations
Deficits on Functions
Sundries (Purchase of BBQ)
2011
62
101
0
76
2143
267
90
2012
22
159
0
0
0
263
0
2013
24
209
0
0
0
184
25
Page 2 of 6
D:\106747763.doc
Former Pupils Association AGM Minutes 2015
Past Presidents’ Badges
Total
Surplus of income over expenditure
Balance Sheet as at 30th November 2014
Balance brought forward from 2013
Surplus of income over expenditure
Represented by
Barclays Bank Plc.
Current Account
Business Saver Account
Cash in Hand
Total
0
2739
1021
1465
0
442
95
1065
2166
5932.13
2165.78
8097.91
6343.33
1698.32
56.26
8097.91
The Treasurer was thanked for his accounts and the auditors Messrs Roscoe and Lawton for their work.
The accounts were accepted by all present as a true record of the Associations finances. This was
proposed by Geoff Denner and seconded by George Hill, all were in agreement
It was agreed that Messrs Roscoe and Lawton be approached to audit the account next year.
8. F J Stafford Memorial Fund.
Geoff Denner presented the accounts for the F J Stafford memorial Fund for the period to
7th March 2015 which read as follows:
Income
Expenditure
Brought forward from 2014
2013 AGM raffle
Sale of Ties x 2
5 x Lapel Badges
Total
588.46
200.00
20.00
5.00
813.46
Monies in Bank
Cash in Hand
613.46
10.00
Donations to School
(Nepal Trip)
Total
Total Funds
200.00
200.00
623.46
Available for Purchase: 190 Centenary Lapel Badges Ties at £1.00 each
and
37 Adult length ties at £10.00
Geoff was thanked by the President for his work on behalf of the fund.
Acceptance of the accounts were proposed by Arnold Robins and seconded by John Strachan, all
were in agreement.
Following the statement of accounts from the Association and F J Stafford funds Mr McCowan was
asked to consider requests for funding. These to be brought before the Committee at a future meeting.
9. Rule Amendments/Changes
The Secretary had not been notified of any requests for changes to the existing rules
Page 3 of 6
D:\106747763.doc
Former Pupils Association AGM Minutes 2015
10. Election of Officers 2014:
President: Mr Ian Miller, proposed by Geoff Denner, seconded by Arnold Robins was duly elected
as our President and took the chair
Discussion then took place on the remaining Officer elections
President-Elect:
Mr Garry Fretwell
President-Designate:
Mr George Thompson
Vice Presidents:
There were no names to be added to the list of Vice Presidents
Honorary Secretaries:
Dave Jesson to continue as secretary.
Honorary Treasurers:
Mike Baron and Roddy McCowan to continue as treasurers
Honorary Auditors:
G Lawton and J A Roscoe to continue as Auditors if they are willing
11. Appointment of Committee Members:
The present Committee were all happy to continue in their roles. There were no other requests to join.
12. Reports from Sub-Sections:
(i) Luncheon Club: Geoff Denner reported on the Luncheon Club. It continues to meet
on the first and third Fridays of the month at the Squirrel PH Bispham Road Blackpool. Former Pupils
meet at 12.45 for a 1.00pm meal. The meal available is a Carvery, no booking is necessary.
13. Social Committee Report:
(i)
St Georges Day Dinner: This has been fixed for Friday 24th April 2015 at Singleton Lodge
7.00 pm for dinner at 7.30 pm. The price is £22.00 per person which includes all gratuities;
Partners will be welcomed. Geoff Denner is organizing the event. Proposed meal will be Soup,
Beef and trimmings, Pavlova or Mixed Berry Compote, Coffee and Mints
(ii)
Golf Tournament: This year’s tournament has been arranged for Wednesday 8th July at North
Shore Golf Club You may attend the meal even if you do not play Golf. Contact Mike Ardron
(iii)
Crown Green Bowling: The date has yet to be arranged. Interested parties should contact Stan
Croft
(iv)
Ten Pin Bowling: John Strachan indicated that a new Bowl at Thornton Cleveleys Sports Centre
was due to open April/May. He said he would make enquiries, Details to follow
Page 4 of 6
D:\106747763.doc
Former Pupils Association AGM Minutes 2015
14. Any Other Business:
1. The Secretary asked for permission to see if he could develop a Secure Section on the
School’s website such that the Membership Handbook could be displayed for members
use. This would make it much easier to keep information up to date. In the meantime he
would produce a paper edition. He also mentioned that the production of a newsletter had
now been overtaken by the fortnightly ‘Baines News’ available on the website. Permission
was given, proposed Arnold Robins, seconded by Geoff Denner that he should go ahead.
This was confirmed by all present with the proviso that those not on broadband would
receive paper copies.
2. The Secretary asked, in view of the above agreement, whether we should look at reducing
the membership fee in view of the fact it was increased to cover the sending of documents
to members. All were in favour of maintaining the existing membership fee.
3. The Secretary raised the question of fees paid by overseas members, who are often
involved in additional payments in order to pay their existing fee. It was agreed that as this
affects only a small number of members (6) that all non-European members be given free
membership.
4. Mike Ardron asked about Snow Height, an area of land once owned and used by Baines
Scout Troop. The Secretary understood that it was now in the hand of a Charity based in
Blackpool. However the Secretary would make enquiries of David Astall who is a member
of the Charity.
5. Pupils were no again involved in the Duke of Edinburgh awards scheme which was
supported by the Association some years ago. Mr. McCowan was asked if they needed any
funding from the Association. He explained that the scheme now provided equipment but
that help might be given by supporting Families who have difficulty in covering the costs
involved when their child take part in the scheme. As a result proposed by Mike Ardron,
and seconded by Neil Palfreyman that £500.00 by donated to the School to assist pupil
costs. This was agreed by all present.
Secretary’s Note: A cheque was given to Mr. McCowan at the conclusion of the meeting
for £500.00
The date of next year’s AGM and Dinner was fixed for Saturday 5th March 2016
AGM to start at 5.15 pm with the Dinner starting at 7.00 pm
Venue to be advised
As there was no further business the President closed the meeting at 18.25.
Page 5 of 6
D:\106747763.doc
Former Pupils Association AGM Minutes 2015
The Agenda for the 2016 AGM follows
Agenda
1. Welcome
2. Reading of the list of Deceased members
3. Apologies for absence
4. Minutes of the 108th AGM
5. Matters Arising
6. President’s Remarks
7. Correspondence
8. Financial Report
(i) Appointment of Auditors
9. F J Stafford Memorial Fund
10. Rule Amendments/Changes
11. Election of Officers
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
President
President Elect
President Designate
Honorary Secretary
Honorary Treasurer(s)
12. Appointment of
(i) Vice Presidents
(ii) Committee Members
13. Reports From Sub-sections
(i) Luncheon Club
14. Social Committee Reports
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
15.
St Georges Day Dinner
Golf
Crown Green Bowling
Any Other Business
Page 6 of 6
D:\106747763.doc