Annual General Meeting

23 April 2008 at Ipswich School

Jack Chapman welcomed our president, the Mayor Councillor Inga Lockington. She told us how much she had enjoyed the Society's Awards evening, after which she'd been able to make an official visit to St Joseph's Prep School, one of our Award winners, and seen the building happily in use.

Apologies for absence were read out and the Minutes of the previous AGM approved. There were no questions concerning the Chairman's report. In the absence of the Hon Treasurer, John Norman offered to answer any questions; none was forthcoming. He proposed the adoption of the accounts - agreed unanimously. The meeting then approved the enlargement of the Executive Committee which was felt to be necessary owing to the Society's active involvement in so many aspects of the well-being of Ipswich. The relevant parts of the constitution now read:

'The officers of the Society shall consist of Vice-President(s), Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, these together with up to twelve other members shall constitute the Executive Committee.' (i.e. twelve instead of eight. A quorum will now be seven.)

This seems a good point at which to reiterate the Objects of the Society.

  1. to promote the study of civic design,
  2. to stimulate public consciousness and appreciation of the beauty, History and character of Ipswich and its surroundings,
  3. to encourage the preservation, development and improvement of the features which go to make pleasing and convenient conditions in which to live and work,
  4. to pursue these ends by such means as meetings, lectures, study groups, exhibitions and publications.

The election of Officers and Executive Committee then took place.

Finally, and for most members the warmest part of the AGM, Beryl Jary's retirement as Hon Secretary was marked by the Chairman's expression of appreciation and thanks. Beryl was presented with some appropriate tokens of the Society's thanks and made a Life Member of the Society, a rare honour.