The Norman Nicholson Society
Annual General Meeting
Saturday 1st April 2017
Annual General Meeting
Saturday 1st April 2017
The AGM was preceded by a talk by our Chair, Charlie Lambert, on Project 14, which as he explained is a project to raise money to buy and run 14 St Georges’s Terrace, Norman Nicholson’s birthplace and lifetime home, as a memorial to Norman Nicholson, as a workshop space for the community and as a viable place for writers and other artists to gather and stay. This is an exciting venture which has already made extraordinary progress in raising funds, enlisting support and publicising the project. The separate Project 14 committee are to be congratulated on their work so far and the Society as a whole looks forward to seeing the project come to fruition.
1. Apologies for absence: Alan Beattie, Doreen Cornthwaite, Neil Curry, Dr David Cooper, Dr Ian Davidson, John Gilder, Katherine Jones, Dorothy Lambert, Brian Lead, Richard Mansfield, Brian Metters, Malcolm and Rosemary Morrison, Maurice Payn, Alan and Meriel Postlethwaite, Dot Queen, Anna Rose, David and Miggy Scott, Clive Shaw, Stan Towndrow, Janice Savage.
2. The minutes of the Society’s previous AGM held on Saturday 16th April 2016 were read and approved.
3. All the current Committee members expressed their willingness to continue in their roles. Dorothy Richardson, who stood down as Treasurer last year, has continued to act as treasurer on an ad hoc basis until a replacement could be found, for which her colleagues and the whole Society owe her an immense debt of gratitude. At the AGM Brian Charnley, who was co-opted onto the committee in February 2017, was proposed as Treasurer by Dorothy Richardson and seconded by Glenn Lang. Brian was elected unopposed.
4. The revised Constitution of the Society, mandated at last year’s AGM, was presented to the AGM and ratified unanimously.
5. Glenn Lang presented his Secretary’s report on the Society’s activities last year. On 16th May 2016 the Society, in collaboration with the Cumbria Library Service, had staged a writing workshop at Kendal Library led by Norman Nicholson’s biographer, Kathleen Jones, which had been greatly enjoyed by all the participants. Our Summer Event had offered members two morning options: a flower walk in Haverigg dunes led by Chris Powell, and a workshop in Haverigg church entitled ‘St Luke’s Summer’ run by Sue Dawson. After lunch David Boyd, in conversation with Judith Gale, had discussed the impetus and execution of his recently published biographical study of Norman Nicholson. The day was greeted with enthusiasm by all the participants. Our Autumn Event, a study weekend at Cockley Moor, had been a remarkable success and we are immensely grateful to all our speakers and to Hilary Rock, the current owner, both for allowing the Society to take over her house and cottage and for herself being such an enthusiastic participant. In early December our annual Christmas Lunch at the Netherwood Hotel, Grange-over-Sands, was the occasion for the appointment of Neil Curry, Kathleen Jones and David Boyd as Honorary Vice-Presidents in recognition of the sterling work they have all done to promote knowledge of Norman Nicholson over the years. The annual Christmas Tree Festival in Millom had once again featured a delightful and thought-provoking tree in honour of Norman Nicholson, superbly decorated by Peggy Troll, Dorothy Richardson and Sue Dawson. Glenn reminded members present that Comet, the Society’s newsletter, and the frequent bulletins that Antoinette Fawcett sends out to members in addition to editing Comet, were excellent ways of keeping in touch with the Society and are complemented by the Society’s website, ably maintained by our Chair Charlie Lambert, at www.normannicholson.org
Looking forward, there is to be an event at St George’s Church, Millom on 3rd June 2017 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Norman Nicholson’s death. All are welcome to attend. Details of the Society’s Summer event, scheduled to take place on the weekend of 8th-9th July 2017, and of the Autumn Event on the 7th October 2017, are currently being finalised by the Committee.
6. Dorothy Richardson presented a statement of the Society’s audited accounts for the year ending 31st December 2016 showing a balance of 2,361 pounds and they were accepted unanimously. Dorothy expressed her thanks to Margaret Brathy for auditing the accounts over the years; Charlie Lambert is to send her a letter of thanks. Thanks were also expressed to Dorothy for her sterling work as Treasurer. Glenn Lang suggested that our new Treasurer might explore the possibility of moving the Society’s bank account to the Cumberland Building Society, as they still have branches in towns such as Millom and Ulverston, unlike the NatWest, which is currently the Society’s bank. The Cumberland BS offers an account specifically designed for small not-for-profit organisations such as the Norman Nicholson Society.
7. Dr Antoinette Fawcett presented her reports as Membership Secretary and editor of Comet, the journal of the Society. She began her membership report by paying tribute to Peggy Troll, who had been the membership secretary since the Society was founded, and said that she had been a hard act to follow. In 2016 -17 the Society had had 140 members, five of whom were honorary, and 108 of these had paid their subscriptions. Antoinette has written personally to all those whose subscriptions have not been paid. Sixteen new members had joined the Society and there had been four resignations. There have been two thirty-two-page issues of Comet this year; although feedback on the publication continues to be very positive the production and postage of the journal continues to be the major expenditure of the Society so any overseas members (and any others) who will take it electronically are welcome to let Antoinette know. Antoinette has discussed with HSP Milners, our Barrow-based printers, how the costs might be reduced in future. Phil Houghton then spoke from the floor in praise of the journal.
8. Schools and Communities Report. Sue Dawson said that the local school heads were also expressing support for Project 14. Millom Discovery Centre staff have reworked their exhibitions, including the one devoted to Norman Nicholson, with the help of a large HLF grant, to make them more child-friendly. Sue had worked with Haverigg Infants on Nicholson’s poem Hodbarrow Flooded and the response from parents had been enthusiastic, with many of them contributing family stories and artefacts from the iron mines. The fiftieth anniversary of the closure of Millom Ironworks will provide more opportunities to show how Nicholson’s life and work were grounded in, and celebrated, the life and industry of the town. Haverigg School is currently applying for ArtsMark status and the work the Nicholson Society have done with the school form an important part of the Head’s submission.
9. Work with universities and other higher education institutions. Alan Beattie was unfortunately unable to attend the AGM. However, Sue Dawson was pleased to report that the University of Nottingham will be bringing two field trips to Millom and Haverigg on April 10th and 14th to study the relationship between the geography of the area and Nicholson’s literary work. Sue pointed out that our erstwhile Chair, and now honorary member, Dr David Cooper’s Ph.D. thesis on Norman Nicholson and his subsequent publications on literary geography had been instrumental in alerting the University to the possibilities of study in this area, and we hope to be able to capitalise further on such connections in the future. Glenn, Antoinette, Peggy and Dot will also be helping Sue with the visits.
10. Any other business. Antoinette proposed a change in subscription charges from 2018, to fifteen pounds for individual members and twenty pounds for couples (who will be sent only one copy of Comet per household). She also suggested continuing the youth membership charge for under-25-year-olds at six pounds. Charlie Lambert reported that our Heritage Lottery Fund officer had recommended that we join the Heritage Trust Network, an organisation which offers advice and support to groups like ours who are interested in acquiring a property of significance. It was agreed that the Society should subscribe to the Heritage Trust Network at a cost of thirty pounds per annum. All of these suggestions were proposed by Dorothy, seconded by Sue and approved by the whole meeting.
The meeting was followed by refreshments and a fascinating talk by Dr Antoinette Fawcett entitled ‘Nicholson’s Italian Connections’, based on some of her findings during her research fellowship last year in the Nicholson Archive at The John Rylands Library, University of Manchester.
GL 4/17
1. Apologies for absence: Alan Beattie, Doreen Cornthwaite, Neil Curry, Dr David Cooper, Dr Ian Davidson, John Gilder, Katherine Jones, Dorothy Lambert, Brian Lead, Richard Mansfield, Brian Metters, Malcolm and Rosemary Morrison, Maurice Payn, Alan and Meriel Postlethwaite, Dot Queen, Anna Rose, David and Miggy Scott, Clive Shaw, Stan Towndrow, Janice Savage.
2. The minutes of the Society’s previous AGM held on Saturday 16th April 2016 were read and approved.
3. All the current Committee members expressed their willingness to continue in their roles. Dorothy Richardson, who stood down as Treasurer last year, has continued to act as treasurer on an ad hoc basis until a replacement could be found, for which her colleagues and the whole Society owe her an immense debt of gratitude. At the AGM Brian Charnley, who was co-opted onto the committee in February 2017, was proposed as Treasurer by Dorothy Richardson and seconded by Glenn Lang. Brian was elected unopposed.
4. The revised Constitution of the Society, mandated at last year’s AGM, was presented to the AGM and ratified unanimously.
5. Glenn Lang presented his Secretary’s report on the Society’s activities last year. On 16th May 2016 the Society, in collaboration with the Cumbria Library Service, had staged a writing workshop at Kendal Library led by Norman Nicholson’s biographer, Kathleen Jones, which had been greatly enjoyed by all the participants. Our Summer Event had offered members two morning options: a flower walk in Haverigg dunes led by Chris Powell, and a workshop in Haverigg church entitled ‘St Luke’s Summer’ run by Sue Dawson. After lunch David Boyd, in conversation with Judith Gale, had discussed the impetus and execution of his recently published biographical study of Norman Nicholson. The day was greeted with enthusiasm by all the participants. Our Autumn Event, a study weekend at Cockley Moor, had been a remarkable success and we are immensely grateful to all our speakers and to Hilary Rock, the current owner, both for allowing the Society to take over her house and cottage and for herself being such an enthusiastic participant. In early December our annual Christmas Lunch at the Netherwood Hotel, Grange-over-Sands, was the occasion for the appointment of Neil Curry, Kathleen Jones and David Boyd as Honorary Vice-Presidents in recognition of the sterling work they have all done to promote knowledge of Norman Nicholson over the years. The annual Christmas Tree Festival in Millom had once again featured a delightful and thought-provoking tree in honour of Norman Nicholson, superbly decorated by Peggy Troll, Dorothy Richardson and Sue Dawson. Glenn reminded members present that Comet, the Society’s newsletter, and the frequent bulletins that Antoinette Fawcett sends out to members in addition to editing Comet, were excellent ways of keeping in touch with the Society and are complemented by the Society’s website, ably maintained by our Chair Charlie Lambert, at www.normannicholson.org
Looking forward, there is to be an event at St George’s Church, Millom on 3rd June 2017 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Norman Nicholson’s death. All are welcome to attend. Details of the Society’s Summer event, scheduled to take place on the weekend of 8th-9th July 2017, and of the Autumn Event on the 7th October 2017, are currently being finalised by the Committee.
6. Dorothy Richardson presented a statement of the Society’s audited accounts for the year ending 31st December 2016 showing a balance of 2,361 pounds and they were accepted unanimously. Dorothy expressed her thanks to Margaret Brathy for auditing the accounts over the years; Charlie Lambert is to send her a letter of thanks. Thanks were also expressed to Dorothy for her sterling work as Treasurer. Glenn Lang suggested that our new Treasurer might explore the possibility of moving the Society’s bank account to the Cumberland Building Society, as they still have branches in towns such as Millom and Ulverston, unlike the NatWest, which is currently the Society’s bank. The Cumberland BS offers an account specifically designed for small not-for-profit organisations such as the Norman Nicholson Society.
7. Dr Antoinette Fawcett presented her reports as Membership Secretary and editor of Comet, the journal of the Society. She began her membership report by paying tribute to Peggy Troll, who had been the membership secretary since the Society was founded, and said that she had been a hard act to follow. In 2016 -17 the Society had had 140 members, five of whom were honorary, and 108 of these had paid their subscriptions. Antoinette has written personally to all those whose subscriptions have not been paid. Sixteen new members had joined the Society and there had been four resignations. There have been two thirty-two-page issues of Comet this year; although feedback on the publication continues to be very positive the production and postage of the journal continues to be the major expenditure of the Society so any overseas members (and any others) who will take it electronically are welcome to let Antoinette know. Antoinette has discussed with HSP Milners, our Barrow-based printers, how the costs might be reduced in future. Phil Houghton then spoke from the floor in praise of the journal.
8. Schools and Communities Report. Sue Dawson said that the local school heads were also expressing support for Project 14. Millom Discovery Centre staff have reworked their exhibitions, including the one devoted to Norman Nicholson, with the help of a large HLF grant, to make them more child-friendly. Sue had worked with Haverigg Infants on Nicholson’s poem Hodbarrow Flooded and the response from parents had been enthusiastic, with many of them contributing family stories and artefacts from the iron mines. The fiftieth anniversary of the closure of Millom Ironworks will provide more opportunities to show how Nicholson’s life and work were grounded in, and celebrated, the life and industry of the town. Haverigg School is currently applying for ArtsMark status and the work the Nicholson Society have done with the school form an important part of the Head’s submission.
9. Work with universities and other higher education institutions. Alan Beattie was unfortunately unable to attend the AGM. However, Sue Dawson was pleased to report that the University of Nottingham will be bringing two field trips to Millom and Haverigg on April 10th and 14th to study the relationship between the geography of the area and Nicholson’s literary work. Sue pointed out that our erstwhile Chair, and now honorary member, Dr David Cooper’s Ph.D. thesis on Norman Nicholson and his subsequent publications on literary geography had been instrumental in alerting the University to the possibilities of study in this area, and we hope to be able to capitalise further on such connections in the future. Glenn, Antoinette, Peggy and Dot will also be helping Sue with the visits.
10. Any other business. Antoinette proposed a change in subscription charges from 2018, to fifteen pounds for individual members and twenty pounds for couples (who will be sent only one copy of Comet per household). She also suggested continuing the youth membership charge for under-25-year-olds at six pounds. Charlie Lambert reported that our Heritage Lottery Fund officer had recommended that we join the Heritage Trust Network, an organisation which offers advice and support to groups like ours who are interested in acquiring a property of significance. It was agreed that the Society should subscribe to the Heritage Trust Network at a cost of thirty pounds per annum. All of these suggestions were proposed by Dorothy, seconded by Sue and approved by the whole meeting.
The meeting was followed by refreshments and a fascinating talk by Dr Antoinette Fawcett entitled ‘Nicholson’s Italian Connections’, based on some of her findings during her research fellowship last year in the Nicholson Archive at The John Rylands Library, University of Manchester.
GL 4/17