MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE LINCOLNSHIRE TWINNING FEDERATION

HELD AT COUNTY OFFICES, LINCOLN. WEDNESDAY 13TH MAY, 2009

PRESENT:

20 representatives of Member Associations

APOLOGIES
The Chairman read a letter from Mike Doyle Chairman's Officer stating The Chairman and Lady, Councillor Ian Cartwright and Mrs E Cartwright could not attend due to prior commitment, but thanked the Federation for their invitation; unfortunately the Vice Chairman and Lady were unavailable on this date. Other apologies from Ken Shackleton (Management Committee) Bourne, Grasby, Long Bennington, Friends of Sezanne, Lincoln, Swineshead and Woodhall Spa.

MINUTES
The minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 28th May, 2008 were circulated and read and agreed as a true record of the meeting, proposed Kathleen Williams, seconded John Bucke. Signed by the Chairman and Secretary.

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
The Chairman Mike Cutler opened the meeting by welcoming everyone in five languages, these are the five languages used to greet our twinned towns, French, German, Dutch, and Czech and of course English. Mike went on to explain the aims of twinning to experience other cultures and lifestyles which can never be achieved by just being a tourist. He explained that some of our twinning associations are finding things a little difficult, but others are flourishing. The Chairman concluded by wishing that the concept of twinning and friendship may long continue.

SECRETARY'S REPORT
Margaret Hopper introduced herself explaining she had taken over as acting Secretary after the last AGM, stating she was the Treasurer at North Hykeham Town Twinning Association and had been a Twinner for just 6 years. The Secretary went on the explain the Management Committee held quarterly meetings during the year to discuss any correspondence received, finance, new twinning possibilities and updates for the Federation Website. The Secretary stated we had a very successful Hog Roast and Boules competition last September, which enabled twinners to meet on an informal basis. Another event is being planned and everyone will be informed when firm arrangements are in place. The meeting was asked by the secretary that she could be informed of any changes within Twinning Organisations of committee members and email addresses.

TREASURER'S REPORT
The Treasurer circulated a copy of the Financial Report for year ending 30th April, 2009 and made detailed comments on each income and expenditure.

Balance as at 30th April, 2008   £ 1948.95

Net Income           2008/2009   £   512.22

Balance as at 30th April, 2009   £ 2461.17

The report was accepted by the Meeting, Proposed by Eileen Polkinghorne, seconded by Ralph Timms.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Michael Cutler was re elected as Chairman after standing down from the position, having completed 3 years. Margaret Hopper was elected to the post of Honorary Secretary formalising the role she had filled during most of the year. Terry Hancock and Graham Martin continue for another year as Vice Chairman and Honorary Treasurer. All members of the management committee were re elected: - John Bucke, John Polkinghorne, Ken Shackleton. The Chairman stated we still require five further members on the Management Committee, please contact the Secretary if you are willing to help.

APPOINTMENT OF HONORARY EXAMINER OF ACCOUNTS
The meeting agreed that Mr David Martin would audit our annual accounts.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Again the meeting was informed of the difficulty of obtaining the European Grant, several Associations had applied and been refused on a technical detail. Ralph Timms from Dunston had taken their association's refusal of Grant to the Ombudsman, but could not discuss this in detail as it was still an ongoing case, he would keep us informed at further meetings. Ralph informed the meeting how helpful the Ombudsman had been and encouraged other associations with problems to seek help through them. It was asked that we print the Federation website address on correspondence. www.twinninglincs.org

The meeting was then handed over to our quest speaker Joe Cooke,
The Mayor's Officer for Lincoln

Joe informed us he came to Lincoln 27 years ago and spent several years in the army, but his main talk this evening was on the Beechy family from Freesthorpe, who had lost 5 sons in the First World War, a book has been written about this family by Michael Walsh titled Brothers in War. Joe spoke about how all the sons were buried in various graves abroad and the mother was buried in a much neglected grave in Newport. Joe explained how he eventually got Mrs. Beechy's grave restored and plaques made to the memory of her sons. He encouraged the meeting to visit this grave in Newport Cemetery and read this very interesting book on a Lincolnshire family.

The Chairman thanked Joe Cooke for a very informative speech. The meeting was closed and everyone adjourned for refreshments generously supplied by the Chairman of the Lincolnshire County Council.