1. Apologies

Apologies were received from David Jones, Ken Brown, Tony Abrams, Roger Gingell and Ted Jones.

2. The Minutes of the 2001 AGM

The Minutes of the 2001 AGM, published in Bulletin 171, were approved unanimously, proposed by David Martin and seconded by Cliff Laycock.

3. Matters Arising.

There were none.

4. Reports by Officers

President - Roger Barnes

The President reminded members that Boats on Show had not taken place in 2001 because of Foot and Mouth restrictions. A stand had been booked for this year, however, and volunteers to assist would be particularly appreciated. He also commented on Stuart Hill’s unsuccessful attempt to circumnavigate the British Isles, before moving on to two matters of immediate regret to the Association. Peter Bick’s illness had necessitated him ceasing to publish the Bulletin, after many years in which he had shaped a very important aspect of the Association. Another member, Jeremy Hewer, had taken over the production of the most recent Bulletin and it was hoped that he might be able to continue to do so. Although he had not officially given up the role of Technical Officer, it was anticipated that Peter would not be able to continue in this work, either, and it was sensible to think about a replacement. The President also reported that Ted Jones had expressed a wish to retire as Publicity Officer to allow a new head to take over that aspect of the Association’s work. Both would be missed, and there was a strong feeling that the President should send a letter of appreciation and best wishes to Peter Bick.

The approaching 50th anniversary of the Association was also raised. Members were asked to consider if and how it might be celebrated.

National Secretary - Roger Howard

The Secretary reported an enjoyable first year in office. Particular thanks were due to David Jones, who had ensured a very smooth hand-over and had offered valuable support and advice. The Association’s correspondents had ranged from Arizona to Australia, with an increasing number using email, particularly for their first contact with the Association. The website was clearly a very effective means of communicating our aims and activities, even if its very professional appearance occasionally raised expectations that our modest resources were unable to meet.

Treasurer - Jeff Rogers

The Treasurer presented the new style accounts of the Association and underlined the clear implication that we needed to increase our income. An increase of £5 per year with effect from April 2003 was required to stop the depletion of our reserves. Such an increase would enable us to break even. The feeling of those present was that this was appropriate and needful.

Membership Secretary - Roger Gingell

The current membership was 507, virtually the same as last year. 54 members had not renewed membership, resigned or died. Over the last eight years, on average 48 members per year failed to renew, whilst we gained 68 members per year. Membership had risen to its present level from 307 in 1994. Most renewals were paid in time to take advantage of the £11 fee. Sending a final reminder in June continues to safeguard many memberships which would otherwise lapse. The membership secretary now has a list of members’ email addresses which will be added to the revised members’ list to be distributed with the Autumn 2002 Bulletin.

Editor-Joan Abrams

The Editor expressed her thanks to Peter Bick for the influence which he had had in shaping the Bulletin over the years and reported briefly on the contents of the last year’s editions. Overall, the balance of articles about cruising, technical matters etc. had been about right, although she felt that there was room for more book reviews and more articles about particular types of boat. Articles about places had also been slightly under-represented of late. Feedback from members was always appreciated and considered. Some brief discussion about the use of colour in the Bulletin was cut short by an appreciation of the costs involved.

Librarian - Mike Williams

The Librarian reported that the Library continued to be under-used. In the last year 184 items had been borrowed by only 8% of the membership, a drop of a third on the previous year’s borrowings, and 45% on the figures for 1999/2000. Postage had cost £145 and no publications had been lost. The Library now has over 1500 items, including 4 complete sets of Bulletins. The Library List is regularly updated and is available on request by post or email. The Librarian also reported that he had undertaken not only a major revision of the Library database, but also a more detailed Contents List for the Bulletins, originally produced by Len Wingfield. The Librarian had put together several lists of bulletin articles on a common theme for members, as well as extracting and e-mailing copies of over 80 articles. Finally, we were reminded that the Librarian is temporarily looking after the plans of the Roamer and Rebell dinghies, formerly under the aegis of Peter Bick.

Publicity - Ted Jones

The absence of Boats on Show last year and the demise of Sailing Now (on the internet) had contributed to a less good year for publicity. By the end of 2000, we had gained 83 new members, whilst in 2001 we gained only 61. Five of these were previous members who had rejoined, but 17 came from the internet and 14 from existing members. In the previous year, Boats on Show had contributed 14 members. The Publicity Officer had continued to contact magazines and at the start of the year had written to all the sailing schools dealing especially with dinghies, enclosing a Bulletin and membership forms. Despite last year’s lack of response, he would do so again. The need for assistance with this year’s Boats on Show was increased by the possibility that health concerns might preclude the Publicity Officer attending himself.

Shop - Ken Brown

Sales in 2001 amounted to £268 (£421 in 2000) and expenses were £79 (£41 in 2000). There were additions or deletions from the range of items for sale. As usual, the DCA Burgee was the most purchased item, although car and boat stickers continued to be popular, as did launching site guides.

5. Election of Officers

The election of the current Officers, with the addition of Jeremy Hewer as Publisher of the Bulletin (assuming his willingness to stand) was proposed by Cliff Laycock and second by David Martin. The meeting was unanimously in favour of the proposal. Roger Barnes would write to Peter Bick expressing the Association’s appreciation of all his work in the past and our best wishes in his current ill health.

6. Presentation of the Naylor Noggin

The Naylor Noggin was presented to Peter Baxter for his account of a cruise in the Baltic entitled Two Archipelagos and Two OAPs.

7. Any Other Business.

Those present expressed their appreciation of a North-Western AGM. Both the venue and the speaker, David Moss, had been excellent. Roger Howard