WrgBITM Annual General Meeting held at Brimscombe Port 16th March, 2013 Present:Simon Walker (Chairman), Rachael Banyard, Phill Cardy, Matt Carpenter, Quentin Curzon, Derek Godfrey, Mark Gribble, Barbara Hinsley, Tony Hinsley, David James, June James, Mike Paice, Rhys, Diana Smurthwaite, Philip Strangeway, Martin Thompson, Liz Upton, Dave Wedd, Stella Wentworth. Apologies for Absence: Jen Attrill, Bob and Ros Featherstone. 1.

Minutes of the 2012 AGM

The minutes were accepted as a true record. 2.

Matters Arising

The defibrillator has now been purchased, and is carried to site in the van. The chairman reminded us that we should all be able to use it in an emergency. 3.

Chairman’s Report

A really brief Chairman’s report this year, you may be pleased to know. From my viewpoint, we had another successful and safe year. So far as I know, no-one injured themselves beyond the sticking-plaster stage. That said, we always to be vigilant in terms of site safety and working practices, and site leaders must make sure in their briefings that everyone knows what responses will be needed if an emergency ever were to arise. This includes having clear driving instructions to the nearest A&E department for each site that we work on. Following on from last year’s decision, we are now the proud possessors of a defibrillator as part of our First Aid kit. I hope that we never need to use it. However, it is no use having it, if we don’t know what to do with it if the situation ever arises, so – if you have not taken the opportunity to look at it and read up the admittedly pretty straight-forward instructions, do so this evening. Mattt kindly pointed out that the bag should contain a few extra items, such as scissors and a razor, which are now there. I have also stapled some loops of orange tape to the bag in an attempt to make it more visible. I would remind everyone that although it is built to be robust, it is a very valuable piece of equipment, and needs to looked after if we are to rely on it in a crisis. In lieu of site work, the van had a grand clean-out during our June weekend. Either in the process, or soon after, one of the catering boxes appears to have disappeared, which means that we have lost some mixing bowls. Stella and Dave have also suggested spending some money on new, lighter-weight plastic boxes to replace the three wooden ones which, as they Page 1 of 3

rightly pointed out, are pushing the limits for single-person handling. As Bob is not able to be here this evening, I will be reporting on our finances in his place in just a moment, but to summarise, our bank balance remains very healthy despite the outlay on the defibrillator. Bob has again done an excellent job for us over the year. We are also grateful to the various canal societies and individuals that have made donations to us, and to Beta Marine for its continued support in paying for our annual van service and MOT. Finally, my usual thanks to everyone who has helped us during the year. We appreciate everything that you do for us, both during our weekend digs and in general by keeping BITM on the road. 4.

Treasurer’s Report

The Chairman distributed copies of the year’s accounts, as provided by The Treasurer. The Chairman reported that we just about broke even over the year. The van is the high-cost item for us, and needed work done to get it through its MOT. The people who have been servicing the van have gone out of business. They were relatively cheap, so we may have to pay more next time. The MOT is due in April. Income was around £1,200 down year-on-year, but we did not attend two festivals. The balance in our accounts as at 31st December 2012 was £17,247.82, which was only marginally lower than at the end of 2011. 5.

2013 Weekend Schedule and Future Venues

We are going to Chichester in April, and to the Rickmansworth Festival in May. The only future venue booked is at the Somersetshire Canal on 16th-17th November. Grantham was suggested for either October or December, with either Wendover or Buckingham for June or July. For September we could go to either Lichfield or Hereford & Gloucester. Basingstoke could also be a possibility. Simon and Dave Wedd to liaise over contacting the appropriate people and organising these weekends. 6.

Input to This Year’s Festivals

David James will be leading our input to the Rickmansworth Festival, where we will also have our bookstall. Simon has been in touch with Monica Gilmour, the festival organiser, and will check that the accommodation has been booked. 7.

The Van

Barbara Hinsley asked if the drawers in the van that contain various tools and other equipment could be labelled so that things are easier to find.

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8.

Election of Officers and Committee

The Chairman asked whether any members present would like to offer their services as chairman, treasurer and third account signatory. No-one so doing, Tony Hinsley proposed that the current officers stand. Seconded by Mike Paice and approved unanimously by those present. 9.

Any Other Business

Dave Wedd requested to borrow the group’s radios to use on the Devizes to London Canoe Race. This was agreed. One of the radios was lost accidentally during our weekend at the Wey & Arun in February. Another radio and one charger are missing, but we will leave replacing them until the radios are needed again.

DS 3/13

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