AGM Minutes 2023

Note:  This below is the latest AGM Minutes approved by members.   The 2024 AGM Minutes will not be approved until the November 2025 AGM 

HALLING GARDENING SOCIETY

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD ON 6 NOVEMBER 2023

1. WELCOME:
The President welcomed everybody to the 42nd Annual General Meeting of Halling Gardening
Society. 22 adults were in attendance. He wished Joy Oliver a very Happy Birthday.

2. APOLOGIES:
Apologies were received from:
Jill Martin,
Twyla Martin,
Matthew Nightingale,
Carol Nunn

3. MINUTES OF 2022 AGM:
The minutes of the 2022 AGM were available to all present and were accepted as a true record of
proceedings.

Proposed: David Hopkins Seconded: Barbara Hopkins

4. MATTERS ARISING:
No matters were raised.

5. CHILDRENS AWARD PRESENTATION:
These awards were presented by the President.

6. TREASURER'S REPORT:
The Club’s financial report had been previously circulated to members and copies were available
at the meeting.
The plant sale held in June 2023 was very successful and contributed to year surplus of £348.46.
The Treasurer’s report was accepted.

Proposed: Joy Oliver Seconded: Maria Cooky
The President thanked the Treasurer for preparing the accounts
.
7. INCREASE IN ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS:
Subscriptions last increased in 2007. The Committee is proposing to increase the subscription
from £3 per annum to £5 per annum with effect from November 2023. Costs are increasing for
hall hire, judges, speakers etc.
Joy Oliver asked if £5 per annum would be sufficient. The President said that this is the amount
that the Committee had agreed. A vote was held and the proposal agreed with nineteen voting in
favour and three abstentions. There were no votes opposing. The motion was carried.

8. THE PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS:
The Halling Gardening Society has enjoyed 2023. Members have once again shown their love for
gardening not only with the support of the Spring and Autumn shows but they have showcased
their talents by the high standard of the produce that has been on display. This is a great credit to
all who have taken part.
The talk from the Cobham Gardener did not happen due to illness and a replacement could not
obtained at short notice.
A plant sale was held in the car park of The Five Bells with their permission. This was to raise
awareness of HGS and proved to be a great success. In fact, all plants were sold out in a short
time and we had a number of enquiries from possible new members. Thank you to all those who
supported this new initiative. Pat Catchpole and the rest of the Committee have spent many hours
on the shows and other events. The Committee has been most supportive with organising and
decision making. Thank you to all the Committee for their continued hard work.Also, thank you to
all members for your ongoing support and I hope next year will prove to be just as successful.

Chris Beaney, President
The President continued with the presentation of cups and trophies and prize money. Individual
members were congratulated on their achievements, particularly Nigel Dyer who amassed 98
points across both shows, one of the highest totals ever.

9. NOMINATIONS FOR COMMITTEE:
Thanks were given to the existing committee members. Nominations for new committee members
were sought and the President asked for members to think about this during the refreshment
break.

REFRESHMENTS
A quiz was held during the refreshment period. Wine, cheese and biscuits were available.
Thanks to Matt Wells for organising this and to Joy Oliver for helping. Thanks also to Barbara and
David Hopkins for making the tea and coffee and bringing delicious sausage and vegetable rolls.

10. ELECTION OF NEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Nigel Dyer is standing down this year. The President thanked Nigel for his hard work and
contribution to HGS’s successful year.
The remaining Committee members all agreed to be nominated again. The re-election of Phil
Badman, Pat Catchpole, David Hopkins, Barbara Hopkins, Barbara Mead and Matt Wells was
unanimously agreed.
Tanya Young has been nominated to join the Committee.

Proposed: Maria Cook Seconded: Wendy Hayward

Debbie Glanfield agreed to attend a future committee meeting with a view to becoming a member.

11. HALLING GARDENING SOCIETY CONSTITUTION:
A draft Constitution has been agreed by the Committee and circulated to members. This sets out
the purpose and objectives of HGS. Laura suggested that in Section E Finance, “and certified as
correct” should be amended to “and agreed as correct”. This was unanimously agreed.
There is also a change to the rules for exhibits, now stating that artificial flowers cannot be used.

12. FUTURE EVENTS:
Phil Badman outlined what is proposed for 2024
 Hints and tips for successful gardening and exhibiting
 An instruction session on taking cuttings
 Lifting and dividing dahlias
 Members’ seed exchange
 Plant sale
 Boat trip on the river Medway, including a visit to Allington Castle gardens.
 A talk
 Cuxton open gardens 18 June 2024
It was agreed that a leaflet outlining these events with dates should be produced and circulated to
households in Halling. Distribution will be organised in conjunction with Halling Historical Society.
Seven members present offered to join the delivery team.
Dates for the events will be agreed at the next Committee meeting. Members present generally
preferred weekends for day time activities.
13. ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
None
14. QUESTION TIME:
No questions were asked
15. QUIZ AND RAFFLE
The quiz answers were given and the raffle was drawn.
The President thanked everybody for attending and the meeting closed