1. APOLOGIES: Annie and Mike Inman, Sonja Cheadle, Gaynor Shaw, Janet Moore

2. MINUTES FROM AGM ON 19TH FEBRUARY 2018: The minutes were read and signed as a true record by Vice Chairman Brenda Burt. This was proposed by Malcolm Edwards and seconded by Janet Pattison.

3. MATTERS ARISING: None

4. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: This was read to the members by Brenda Burt in Annie Inman’s absence.

Chairman’s Report for AGM 2019

Our Society’s year started at the AGM last February with Patrick Drennan telling us about the plans and organisation of Sheepstor Open Gardens – an event which several of us had enjoyed in May. Following that, we have heard a great variety of talks ranging from “Butterflies and Moths”, to “Alpines” and “Gladiolus” and more. Organising a programme of talks is quite a challenge and we are very appreciative of the hard work of Gaynor, our programme secretary.

Our Spring Show was cancelled due to the “Beast from the East” but we held a successful Summer Show with good entries, good visitor numbers and excellent teas! Thank you to David our Show Secretary. David has also been busy organising some new signs for our Summer Show. In May, we had a very successful coach outing to two gardens near Penzance; Tremenheere Sculpture Garden and Trengwaignton. In late August we visited Trematon Castle Gardens. Some members also went to Champernowne Nursery and made some purchases. Janet Jones had kindly put arrangements in place for these outings even though she had to stand down later.

Our Social Evening was held on a pleasant evening at Moorholme and I believe enjoyed by many members. Thank you to three of our committee, David Winter, Kay Moore and Janet Jones who ran the plant stall at Meavy Oak Fair. The Society will be receiving some money from the fair. We are grateful to Peter Argles from Champernowne, who donates the plants for this.

Our team won (just) the inter-garden club quiz held this year at Bere Alston. We will host it this year on Tuesday 8th October. At most meetings and at the Summer Show, we had a table for the sale of any plants brought by members, which raises funds for the Society. Dave Carter and Joice Reith are usually at work looking after this. Mike Ashton collects aluminium foil and makes some money from the sale of this for our funds.

Frances Lane has kindly been helping with the “teas” since the departure of Gillian Knight.

Liz Brown has been helping with publicity and Stephen Pine writing the reports for the Tavistock Times.

On the committee, we have been sad to say goodbye to Gill Knight and Janet Jones. I want to thank Sylvia Gokhale for her careful work as Treasurer and to Kay Moore who has been a wonderful secretary for several years. Kay is standing down now to have more time for other interests, but I am sure we will see her carrying off the prizes as usual at our shows! Brenda, with Martin in the background, is a most supportive vice-chairman and assists in many ways.

I am sorry not to be with you tonight but would like to finish by saying a huge “thank you” to all the committee for your hard work and indeed to you all for your support for The Society and we are looking forward to our activities in 2019.

5. TREASURER’S REPORT: Sylvia produced a Report detailing income and expenditure for 2018. She said that even though the Spring Show was cancelled, the Society was in a healthy financial situation and therefore it had been agreed that subscriptions would remain the same for 2019.

The donation from the Meavy Oak Fair was not known and will be carried over once it is received. Sylvia would like to express her thanks to Felicity for checking over the accounts. The Treasurer’s Report was Proposed as correct by Stephen Pine and Seconded by Kirsty Winter.

6. ELECTION OF COMMITTEE: The committee had lost two members – Gillian Knight who relocated and Janet Jones also moved. Brenda Burt has taken on the role of organising the outings. Stephen Pine was a Co-opted member and has agreed to be elected onto the committee this year. Liz Brown will remain a co-opted member. Annie Inman is willing to remain as Chairman and Brenda Burt is willing to stand again as vice chairman. Frances Lane is willing to be elected onto the committee.

Joice Reith, Dave Carter, Mike Ashton and Gaynor Shaw were all happy to be re-elected. Kay Moore is standing down. We are desperate for a new secretary if anyone is willing to volunteer or know of anyone who could be persuaded. The committee was re-elected en bloc. This was proposed by Caroline Jennings and Seconded by Malcom Edwards. Stephen Pine was elected onto the committee. This was proposed by Tessa Thompson and seconded by Caroline Jennings. Brenda asked the committee to remain behind after the meeting to have a mini meeting. Brenda asked Cyril Sparey our President, if he would like to say a few words but he declined.

7. PROGRAMME 2019: Brenda informed members that a 27 seat coach has been booked for our outing to Rosemoor on Thursday 20th June. She said if numbers were good, we could book a bigger coach, which would make the cost cheaper. The date for our Social evening has been booked for 16th May and will be in a member’s garden – yet to be confirmed. No outing has been booked for September yet.

8. AOB: Stephen Pine reminded Brenda to inform members that the Special Class for the Summer Show will be to “grow and show Calendula”, so members need to buy their seeds soon. Brenda said that she had left some information for members to look at, regarding the Asian Hornet which is harmful to our bees. She asked members to be vigilant in looking out for them. Brenda informed the members that Mount Edgecombe has the National Collection of Camelias and that they are holding an event on Saturday 2nd March to go and see them. She advised that booking was necessary, and tickets cost £5.00 each. Brenda thanked Kay for all her hard work as secretary over the last five years and presented her with a garden voucher for Long Ash Nursery. The AGM concluded at 19.50 and Brenda Introduced the Speaker for the evening.