About 40 members attended the 5th AGM of the Society. The Chair, Geoff Hawkes reported that it had been an interesting and successful year, the topics covered have been:- Fairford, Manitoba; The Retreat, with a small group visiting Coln House School as a follow up; Son et Lumière Reminiscence evening was an extra meeting and was enjoyed by everyone; a speaker from the Corinium Museum with a follow up visit to the Northleach Reserve collection which was fascinating; and another extra event, the Polish plaque unveiling which over 200 people attended.
In the coming year, Alicja Christofides is talking about the Polish Hostel; Gloucestershire Archaeology will be talking about the historic sites and monuments of the county, and in February a speaker from the Ashmolean Museum which is having a grand refurbishment and re-opening in the Autumn of 2009 – finds from the Fairford Anglo-Saxon graves were deposited in the Ashmolean during the 19th century.
There has been a lot of work on oral history recordings, Geoff Bishop spoke at the AGM last year and interviewed people who took part in the Son et Lumière and his project at the moment is the 2007 floods.
A high standard of publications has been produced, the most recent ones being the Oldisworths, Richard Green and the St Mary’s Tomb Trail. Further topics will include the Tracys of Fairford and the 1830 Swing Riots.
Several artefacts have been deposited in the Archive Room including the Fairford Silver Band big bass drum and paperwork and photographs. Thanks to Rob Winney who has contributed several items.
Last year it was predicted that subscriptions would have to rise. There is a service charge for running the Archive Room and various other financial commitments, so it was put to the meeting that the subscription should be raised to £5. The Treasurer’s report was approved.
The Chair then thanked all the Committee for their hard work and especially Brian Routledge as outgoing vice-chair who was a given a token of appreciation; Gill Compton for her first year as treasurer and Chris Hobson for his work on publications and the rest of the Committee. Ian Westlake has agreed to be vice-chair and Rob Winney has offered to be on the Committee. The Committee members were duly elected as follows:-
Geoff Hawkes as Chairman, Ian Westlake Vice-Chair, Alison Hobson Secretary, Gill Compton treasurer, Margaret Bishop FCC representative, Maurice Jones FTC, John Read, Chris Hobson and Rob Winney.
After the business meeting Edwin Cuss gave an illustrated talk titled ‘Along the main road through Fairford’. He started off from Waiten Hill showing rare pictures of Fairford Brick and Tile works and on eastwards towards Lechlade. Old shops no longer in existence were shown including Mr Cuss’ tea room which was a stopping off point for cyclists, the garages, the Infant School and the Vicarage before it became Hyperion House. Edwin’s knowledgeable commentary kept everyone absorbed in this wonderful collection of pictures.
Read about The Edwin Cuss Collection.