Annual General Meeting 2026

Annual General Meeting

To be held on Thursday, 26th March 2026
At 8:00pm, at Toot Hill Village Hall

As a member of the Group, you are invited to the 26th AGM.

We look forward to welcoming you to our AGM which will be held at Toot Hill Village Hall. We need a minimum number of attendees so would urge you to come along as this short meeting will be followed by a talk by one of our members, Anne Brooks, whose talk is entitled ‘Greensted Revisited’. There will also be refreshments of tea/coffee and biscuits.

Agenda

1. Welcome and apologies for absence.
2. Minutes of previous AGM held on 27th February 2025 (copy attached).
3. Matters Arising.
4. Reports
   1. Chairman’s Report: Martyn Lockwood

      To Follow.

   2. Secretary’s Report: Jane Adair

      During 2025 all 8 meetings were held at Toot Hill Village Hall, however, they only attracted small audiences. There were interesting talks provided by 4 external Speakers and 4 internal Speakers from the Group.

      Our AGM was held in February 2025 instead of March as Toot Hill Village Hall was closed during March. We had 19 members in attendance which ensured that the meeting was quorate and could go ahead.

      During this year it was agreed to trial not having a meeting in February when the weather is generally poor and instead to have a meeting in September to see if this would attract a larger audience.

      Additionally, we held 2 Executive Committee Meetings, one in August 2025 at Anne Brooks’ house and the other in February 2026 at my house. It was during the latter Executive Committee Meeting that a discussion took place regarding the continuance of the Group, and it is with great sadness that those present at the Executive Committee Meeting are recommending the closure of the Group. The reasons for this are given in Point 5 of the Agenda.

      I would like to conclude with my thanks to the Group and my fellow Committee Members and to also say how much I have enjoyed my time with High Country History Group.

   3. Treasurer’s Report: Andrew Smith

      Approval of draft accounts for the year ended 31st December 2025. Please see attached Receipts and Payments Account and Treasurer’s Report.

      Proposed/Seconded

5. Closure of High Country History Group

   At our recent Executive Committee Meeting (at which 4 out of 6 members were present) it was discussed and agreed by those present at the meeting that, sadly, after 26 years we would put forward a proposal to close the Group after the July meeting for the following reasons:

   1. Our membership has been reducing year on year.
   2. Lack of attendance at meetings despite a good programme of Speakers.
   3. Rising costs of Speakers that a reduced membership and attendance at meetings can no longer sustain.
   4. There are no younger members joining the Group who could take on any of the Committee roles.
   5. Our Chairman’s continuing ill-health is making it very difficult for him to continue in the role of Chairman, booking Speakers and producing the quarterly Journal.

   In accordance with our Constitution, the following proposal is being made:

   “The Executive Committee of High Country History Group recommends that the Group will close following the July 2026 meeting.”

   Proposed/Seconded

6. Subscriptions for the year beginning 1st April 2026.

   Should the resolution in Point 5 above be carried the Executive Committee proposes that no subscriptions will be collected up to the point of closure.

   However, should the resolution be defeated then the following recommendation remains:

   It is recommended that the membership fee remains at £15.00 individual and £30.00 for family membership. It is also recommended that the entrance fee remains at £2.00 for members and will also remain at £5.00 for visitors. At the AGM and Christmas this will also remain at £2.00 for members and £5.00 for visitors.

   Proposed/Seconded

7. Election of Committee.

   The Constitution requires one Committee member for every 10 members (para. 6.1). Should the resolution in Point 5 above be carried then the following Committee Members have offered themselves for re-election until the closure of the Group at the end of July and the Executive Committee recommends:

   • Chairman: Martyn Lockwood
   • Treasurer: Andrew Smith
   • Secretary: Jane Adair
   • Other Members: Anne Brooks, Peter Moring, Elaine Smith

   However, should the resolution be defeated then the Executive Committee will stand down and a new Committee will be elected.

   Proposed/Seconded

8. Distribution of Surplus Funds Following the Closure of the Group.

   It has been suggested by our Chairman and members of the Executive Committee present at the Committee Meeting that, should the Group be closed, any surplus funds remaining be donated to Friends of Historic Essex.

   Proposed/Seconded

9. Programme for 2026:

   The following Speakers have been secured for 2026:

   • 26th March
     AGM – Anne Brooks – Greensted Revisited
   • 23rd April
     Frances Sparrow – History and Weather
   • 28th May
     Neil Wiffen – USAF in Essex During World War 2
   • 25th June
     Simon Coxall – Way To The Gallows. Mediaeval Justice in Essex and The Essex Gallows Project
   • 23rd July
     Martyn Lockwood – The Unknown Soldier
10. Any Other Business: This should be communicated to the Secretary before the meeting.

Secretary:
Jane Adair
10 Onslow Gardens
Ongar, Essex CM5 9BG

Tel: 01277 362276
Mobile: 07785 372403
Email: jane@adair.uk.com