THE COVENTRY SOCIETY.

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting, Monday April 16th.

1. (a) Present: 9 members of the Committee plus 13 other members and 1 visitor.(b) Apologies: J. Marshall, J. Payne, M. Wilson.

2. (a) Accuracy: The Minutes were accepted as a true record of the meeting. Proposed by: H. Lynn, Seconded by: S. Daniel.(b) Matters arising: None.

3. Chairman’s Annual Report.The Chairman believed that some positive advances had been made. This year the owners of Copsewood Grange and Lodge have unveiled plans to restore and refurbish the buildings. This was one of the Society’s campaigns. Committee members had held meetings with the developers to propose, encourage and support these proposals.31 Allesley Old Road [former Master Watchmaker’s house]. Vandalised and partly destroyed, it is to be repaired and rebuilt using the original bricks. This follows constant lobbying by the Society.The Society had been instrumental in having guardians [Ad Hoc] installed in the Charterhouse and helping to set up a Trust to formulate a long term plan for the building.The new City Centre South plan is very close to the ideas promoted by the Society though there are concerns about the provision for small traders.The Society believed that the ‘shared spaces’ scheme in the city centre was a way forward but aspects of it raise concerns and require attention.The Society waits to see how successful the current refurbishment of the city centre will be.The Society was concerned about the paucity of the document presented to it outlining the Draft Core Strategy. The Society looks forward to scrutinising a more comprehensive document before it is submitted to the minister.The Society supported the refurbishment of the old Technical College and was encouraged by the plans for the Old Hall on the Tamworth Road.The Society has promoted the development of ‘pocket parks’ in the city centre and though the two sites suggested as community projects did not prove viable, a site has been offered on Whitefriars’ Lane.One of our Committee members has been instrumental in opening up St. Mark’s Church for the Hans Feibusch mural.On the first Civic day, there was an attempt to compile a record of all the commemorative plaques in the city. The results can be viewed on the ‘Flickr’ website.The 2010 Christmas card project was successful and a similar scheme was launched for Christmas 2011.

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The Society supported the St. George’s Day Event in Willenhall and was saddened at the death of its Chairman and energetic organiser, John Russell, a few weeks later.The Society also supported the Heritage Open Days running another popular picture quiz at the stall in the Herbert.The monthly meetings on a variety of topics have been generally well supported.The Summer programme saw visits to Bagot’s Castle and Baginton Church, St. John the Baptist Church and Ryton-on-Dunsmore.The Society has supported the work of W. Masa and the national organisation, Civic Voice. Civic Voice is to hold its national conference in Coventry in the Autumn.The Chairman concluded by thanking the Committee members for their work throughout the year and the continuing support of Society members. Special thanks to J. Haslam for provision of refreshments.The Chairman’s Report was approved by the members: Proposed by: H. Lynn, Seconded by: P. Maddocks.

4. Treasurer’s Report.The balance sheet for 2011/2012 was distributed. It would appear to show a loss but this is because of a grant that was fully used in 2010/11. The Society’s funds stand at £1543-39. Subscriptions had been increased for this year to £12. Christmas Card sales had so far reached £165 with £60 still to be received. The Society was holding about 200 cards in stock which can be sold in future years. S. Williamson was thanked for overseeing the production and selling of the cards. The meeting approved the Treasurer’s Report. Proposed by: S. Williamson, Seconded by: T. Kenny.

5. Election of officers.The Chairman outlined the current situation and his own position. He was willing to stand but put forward the idea that the Society should elect two Vice Chairman. Proposed by: A. Griffiths, Seconded by: S. Daniel. The proposal was agreed.Chairman: K. Draper. Proposed by: C. Walker, Seconded by: P. Maddocks. K. Draper was elected.Vice chairman: P. Maddocks and C. Walker. Proposed by: A. Griffiths Seconded by: C. Daniel. P. Maddocks and C. Walker were elected.Treasurer: C. Walker. Proposed by: P. Maddocks, Seconded by: S. Daniel. C. Walker was elected.Secretary: S. Daniel. Proposed by: K. Draper, Seconded by: S. Williamson. S. Daniel was elected.Committee members proposed: T. Kenny, H. Lynn, A. Mottershead, J. Payne, D. Tittle, H. Tether. All were prepared to stand. Proposed by: S. Williamson, Seconded by: P. Maddocks.J. Marshall and S. Williamson who are standing down from the Committee were thanked for their contributions and will be missed.

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6. AoB.Newsletter: S. Williamson asked that as many as possible should be sent out by email. C. Walker explained that at present it was about a 50/50 split between email and post. One member was vociferous in his wish to continue to receive his newsletter by post.Membership: the response to renewing membership had been poor so far. It was suggested the reason might be that not as many reminders had been sent out by post. This problem was compounded by the fact that at least eight emails had bounced back this month.A. Griffiths thanked the Committee for organising talks and tours.It was hoped that more Summer tours would be organised for this year. The Chairman alluded to the difficulties that were being experienced in setting them up but assured members that a programme would be in place by June.Suggestions made: Wolston, Allesley, Station to Bull Yard walk in preparation for the Olympics. Suggestions for talks were: a visit to the Severn-Trent building, perhaps hold an event there with food; where we are with the ‘Big Five’. In relation to this the question was posed as to what was happening to the Old Grammar School. While its use by the Transport Museum was welcomed there might be some problems around funding in relation to the proposal. Members wanted to know what the position was with the Toy Museum and its contents. The toys were in storage and there were no plans for them at the moment. The Council had tried marketing the museum but with little success. The Society would like to see guardians in place to prevent any future cases of vandalism.

7. Presentation by Adam Mottershead on possible ways forward for the Society.It was emphasised that members should feel free to participate. The question to be posed was ‘What can we do?’ We wanted to encourage more members which in turn would generate more revenue. The perception was that the Society was reactive rather than proactive. This review would look at membership, events, the Society’s profile, Committee and aspirations.The work that the the Society had undertaken in the past year was reviewed. The Charterhouse Trust, City Centre South, pocket parks, shared spaces, new links with Coventry City Council, excellent meetings. Commenting on the Charterhouse Trust it was stated that eventually the Trust could be opened to include other significant buildings. In order to build on these successes we needed to create a cycle of events – marketing – family – money – events etc.Membership: currently only 49 have renewed membership, there are ten Committee members and average attendance at meetings is twenty. Suggestions: Contact local History groups and ask them to ‘advertise’ our existence and meetings. We need to interest a more varied cross-section of people with a wider variety and category of members e.g. students, University and Sixth Formers, (approach

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Coventry University to encourage/persuade more to join us); more women, business leaders, Councillors. Find a more convenient meeting venue with parking (perhaps meeting in the University); perhaps vary the meeting night. Find out what benefits members would like; look at what other organisations offer e.g. National Trust.The meeting finished at this point because of time constraints.The Chairman apologised for the curtailment of the meeting as the curate wished the premises to be vacated by 9.30 pm, thanked A. Mottershead for his presentation and Society members for their contributions.

The meeting concluded at 9.30 pm

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