Summer 2011
26/07/11 15:27
Please forgive me for calling this a SUMMER newsletter as the weather has largely fallen well short of what we had expected, or hoped for. Nevertheless we are now well into August which means not only that Autumn is approaching, but also that September will bring the first monthly meeting of the Society’s new season. The following notes will give information on developments within the Society and also some details of what we can look forward to in the next season.
AGM
At the AGM in April the existing Committee was re-elected. In addition jeff Rogers was also elected and he has offered to provide technical support including upgrading the website and using his digital projector at monthly meeting talks where required. 0ther issues agreed are covered in the following notes.
MONTHLY MEETINGS
The committee has reviewed the frequency and timing of meetings, especially taking into consideration the bad weather of recent winters. It has been decided NOT to hold meetings in January and February but we will arrange for a meeting in July by way of redressing the balance.
Next seasons programme has been arranged and hopefully it will be enjoyed be members. Bookings have to be made up to 18 months in advance but if anyone has any requests for topics please let me know – but remember that we are booked up many months ahead.
MEMBERSHIP FEES
In view of the reduced number of meetings and the generosity of many speakers in the past year who have declined to take a fee, we have been able to reduce the annual fee to £8. Payments will be welcomed at the September meeting.
FUTURE MEETINGS
A full list of topics and speakers will be shown on the membership cards to be issued on payment of subscriptions. The September talk is entitled ‘MY FAMILY AND OTHER ANCESTORS’ and will give advice on how research into family history can be conducted. To give ‘hands-on’ examples of procedures, the Church of St. Augustine’s has kindly allowed us to borrow their parish records for the evening. Subsequent meetings include talks on Pubs in Cumbria, Gunpowder production in Cumbria and Romans in Britain.
WEBSITE
Since Johan left for France our website has fallen into disrepair. We are tying to bring it back into good order and have enlisted the help of our new Committee member Jeff Rogers. However we are having some trouble in getting the codes required to gain access to the site and our proposed re-launch target of September will not be met. Despite this we are still hoping to be back on-line as soon as possible.
ROUND THE COUNTY DAY
Every year the ASSOCIATION OF NORTHUMBERLAND LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETIES arranges a visit to a Society member and we have been invited to host the event for 2012. We have, of course, accepted and a programe will be put together over the next few months. The date will be Sunday, the 24th June 2012. We will be asking for volunteers to help on the day and details will follow nearer the time.
1000 YEAR LEASES
Ray Macro has arranged a presentation/talk on Saturday the 3rd September at 2.00 in the Masonic Hall, covering the signing of the 1000 year leases and the Hilton family. The admission fee is £2. The signing was 400 years ago to the day and the speaker will be Michael Bute of the Sunderland Society of Antiquities. The event has not been organized by our Society but we have agreed to help out where necessary. We are looking for 5 or 6 volunteers to help with collecting admission fees, making tea/coffee and general administration. Will anyone who can help please contact Alastair as soon as possible?
PROJECTS FOR MEMBER PARTICIPATION
We tend to be a passive group, but the Committee feels that members should be given the opportunity of becoming actively involved in specific projects and at the September meeting Alastair will give details of projects in which member might be interested. Given sufficient response follow up presentations can be arranged for interested parties.
LOWTHER CASTLE AND GARDENS
The Society has been asked to publicise the re-opening of the Castle and 130 acres of gardens following a £9M refurbishment. Further details can be found on the Lowther Castle and Gardens Trust website.
The committee looks forward to seeing you in September and hope that we will have a successful and enjoyable season
LAURENCE A LAW
Secretary
AGM
At the AGM in April the existing Committee was re-elected. In addition jeff Rogers was also elected and he has offered to provide technical support including upgrading the website and using his digital projector at monthly meeting talks where required. 0ther issues agreed are covered in the following notes.
MONTHLY MEETINGS
The committee has reviewed the frequency and timing of meetings, especially taking into consideration the bad weather of recent winters. It has been decided NOT to hold meetings in January and February but we will arrange for a meeting in July by way of redressing the balance.
Next seasons programme has been arranged and hopefully it will be enjoyed be members. Bookings have to be made up to 18 months in advance but if anyone has any requests for topics please let me know – but remember that we are booked up many months ahead.
MEMBERSHIP FEES
In view of the reduced number of meetings and the generosity of many speakers in the past year who have declined to take a fee, we have been able to reduce the annual fee to £8. Payments will be welcomed at the September meeting.
FUTURE MEETINGS
A full list of topics and speakers will be shown on the membership cards to be issued on payment of subscriptions. The September talk is entitled ‘MY FAMILY AND OTHER ANCESTORS’ and will give advice on how research into family history can be conducted. To give ‘hands-on’ examples of procedures, the Church of St. Augustine’s has kindly allowed us to borrow their parish records for the evening. Subsequent meetings include talks on Pubs in Cumbria, Gunpowder production in Cumbria and Romans in Britain.
WEBSITE
Since Johan left for France our website has fallen into disrepair. We are tying to bring it back into good order and have enlisted the help of our new Committee member Jeff Rogers. However we are having some trouble in getting the codes required to gain access to the site and our proposed re-launch target of September will not be met. Despite this we are still hoping to be back on-line as soon as possible.
ROUND THE COUNTY DAY
Every year the ASSOCIATION OF NORTHUMBERLAND LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETIES arranges a visit to a Society member and we have been invited to host the event for 2012. We have, of course, accepted and a programe will be put together over the next few months. The date will be Sunday, the 24th June 2012. We will be asking for volunteers to help on the day and details will follow nearer the time.
1000 YEAR LEASES
Ray Macro has arranged a presentation/talk on Saturday the 3rd September at 2.00 in the Masonic Hall, covering the signing of the 1000 year leases and the Hilton family. The admission fee is £2. The signing was 400 years ago to the day and the speaker will be Michael Bute of the Sunderland Society of Antiquities. The event has not been organized by our Society but we have agreed to help out where necessary. We are looking for 5 or 6 volunteers to help with collecting admission fees, making tea/coffee and general administration. Will anyone who can help please contact Alastair as soon as possible?
PROJECTS FOR MEMBER PARTICIPATION
We tend to be a passive group, but the Committee feels that members should be given the opportunity of becoming actively involved in specific projects and at the September meeting Alastair will give details of projects in which member might be interested. Given sufficient response follow up presentations can be arranged for interested parties.
LOWTHER CASTLE AND GARDENS
The Society has been asked to publicise the re-opening of the Castle and 130 acres of gardens following a £9M refurbishment. Further details can be found on the Lowther Castle and Gardens Trust website.
The committee looks forward to seeing you in September and hope that we will have a successful and enjoyable season
LAURENCE A LAW
Secretary