Present:
Ken and Margaret Wood, Diane and Colin Palmer (non-members), Kirsten and Peter Fletcher, Ian and Jo Wilson, David Moore, Adrienne and Christopher Jacques, Sheila and John Cooke, Lorna and Tony Longshaw, Ken Parris, and Martin Thompson.

The Meeting:
The meeting was opened by Ken Parris as President. He welcomed members and guests to Shardlow and thanked everyone for coming. David Moore took the chair.

The minutes of the last meeting at Bradford on Avon:
The minutes were amended; the 23rd AGM last year were in fact the 24th AGM. Following this amendment the minutes were registered and accepted as a true record.

Chairman's Report:
David Moore explained why there is no report in the Gongoozler. He said that he recently moved house and had been on holiday and had a heavy pressure of work. He also told us that Alan Robinson was retiring from his place as President. David thanked him for founding the Circle and also for all his hard work over the years as this is now the 25th year of the Circle. He also welcomed Ken Parris as the incoming President.

David suggested that the photograph panels held at Gloucester could be used for an exhibition for our 25th year. He also thanked every one who had contributed to the success of the Circle, he also thanked Sheila and John for organising the Cardmeet at Shardlow.

Secretary's Report: [including Membership and Finances]

Membership & Subscriptions:
This time last year at Bradford-on-Avon our membership stood at 67, this year it has decreased by one to 66.

In detail four members have resigned since last years AGM, however three new members have joined the Circle. Four of our present 66 members still have not paid their Subscriptions, this is after recently issuing a letter chasing them.

Subscriptions this year have so far brought in . . . .

Events:
The Circles April 'Get Together' this year was held at Kew Bridge Steam Museum and many thanks are due to Martin Thompson for making all the arrangements. 21 members attended what was a very interesting day, being shown around all the various types of working steam pumping engines, and I am sure many Canal Cards changed hands on the day.

Website:
Many thanks to Ray Hahn for continuing to keep our Website up to date with all the latest news when available. Comments received indicate that people are having a browse and read of our website and is the reason why some members have joined us. I have given a couple of talks about the Circle and canal cards, after being contacted through our website.

A big thank you to Ray's wife Marie for producing the best set of CCCC Name Badges we have ever been privileged to wear at last years Cardmeet at Bradford-on-Avon, she has kindly produced another set for this year at Shardlow, although they will not be present themselves, but send their kind regards to everyone.

Ian suggested that a note could be inserted into Waterways World, and Sheila mentioned that a photo of us all at Shardlow could also be placed in the magazine.

Martin told us that postage would be going up and that this would add to our costs.

Peter Fletcher amended the Treasurer's Balance Sheet.

Martin said that each year we could have two large and two small copies of the Gongoozler.

Ken mentioned that we could place the unknown cards in the magazine asking for members help in identifying them.

Sheila explained that sending postcards through the post was a cause for concern and asked about insurance to cover them - especially the old cards. Following this much discussion ensued, the possibility of asking Trevor and Alan could help to print them safely.

David Moore and Sheila would further discuss the publishing of the post cards.

Election of Officers:
All were prepared to stand again:

David Moore, Chairman
Ian Wilson, Hon. Secretary, Membership Secretary and Treasurer
Ann Hartley, Publicity
Trevor Ellis, Newsletter Editor and Old Cards List
Martin Thompson, Modern Card Lists.
Jo Wilson, Minute Secretary
Ray Hahn, Website

Any other business:

David Moore asked where we are going next year, and Manchester was mentioned. Sheila also mentioned the Mersey Ferry trip up the Manchester Ship Canal and Ellesmere Port, which could possibly arrange accommodation or possible just make it a one day trip. Other suggestions were the Stratford Canal and Warwickshire. Tony Longshaw explained that he would not be able to organise a Cardmeet in the North West due to his many other commitments.

Further discussion then took place, the possibility of arranging our own accommodation at the hotel alongside the basin at Ellesmere Port. Chris suggested putting an entry into the Gongoozler to see if anyone could help organise a Cardmeet.

Other items:

Martin suggested an advert in the Kennet and Avon Canal Calendar. He also said that the Xmas Cards are coming out. After going to Kew perhaps we could have a banner and some photograph panels to give us some publicity, and putting it on the web site, and to seek Alan's help.

Martin also said that old copies of the Gongoozler are now available from Alan.

Martin is doing an update book for each year's modern cards list and asked for comments.

Tony Longshaw volunteered to do the write up of this years Cardmeet for next issue of Gongoozler.

The meeting closed at 11:30 a.m.

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