Committee meeting 1 November 2008

The committee met at the Great Western Society’s site at Didcot, Oxfordshire and were privileged to have a behind the scenes tour before the meeting.  The following matters were discussed as described briefly below.

Great Challenge 2009

A number of sets have been confirmed and further invitations are being issued including judges.

AGM 2009

It has been agreed to hold this on March 28^th with the visit at Robert Crawford’s yard.  It is hoped that Frank Banfield will show films

The 2010 AGM is planned for 2 April possibly in York.

Club inventory

The committee is compiling an inventory of items held by the club and considering a lending policy for members.  However some items are very valuable.

The existing Steam Plough Cup plinth is nearly full of inscribed names, An additional plinth has been made that will cover names for many years ahead.

Films

SPC is developing a Steam Plough Archive DVD.

Richard Pierce and Peter Stanier cooperated in June with the filming of a BBC2 episode of “Victorian Farm” to be transmitted shortly.  A book and DVD are being released.

A film on Ottomeyers ploughing peat has surfaced and was being located.

Great Dorset Steam Fair

The committee passed on its appreciation for all the hard work undertaken by Julie Chick and her helpers.

A small booklet on steam ploughing is being produced and new ideas considered for the 2009 exhibition

Hands On/ plough setting weekend

This had to be cancelled at the last minute because of weather conditions.  However nearly all participants were able to be contacted in time together with those bringing engines.  Participants have been refunded.  It was hoped to resume in the spring in the locality. 

Safety

The latest version of the steam ploughing code has now be placed on the web site and forwarded to NTET.

Publications

A plough setting publication is now with the printers.

Rope splicing

It is planned to undertake a private club activity using the best knowledge available, including the Fowler working instructions and the coal board film.

Club lunch

To be held on 6 December 2008 at the Great Northern Hotel, Peterborough. This is now fully booked.

Finance

The financial position was satisfactory.

Membership

It was announced that with the membership secretary’s agreement the duties would be transferred to Roger Hales shortly.

Great Challenge 22-23 August 2009

We are anxious to contact tackle owners who are able to attend.  Please contact John Billard.

FROM THE SECRETARY -  AGM report

I was delighted that the Annual General Meeting at Inkberrow was such a success with so many members attending.  Highlights were the election of our new vice presidents and stirring addresses by president Mike Goodman and our chairman Roger Hales.  It is good to know that the club is in such steady hands.  That is of course quite aside from Richard Jackson’s wonderful 40 years as treasurer; a feat that is surely most unlikely to be repeated. 

We have about 400 members and a great deal of work goes in to keep the records straight and to keep the members informed and we must thank Sean Symons and Peter Longfoot for that.  After what will be 28 years in the job as secretary I have stated my wish to retire at the 2010 AGM.  I will probably want to say more about that later except to add now that it has been a privilege to see the club thrive during that period.

We have produced the Mozambique Adventure and Mission Impossible! films in DVD format at a cost of £9.99 plus postage and packing. Please contact Colin Brown, SPC Sales, 90 Devon Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU2 0RL or 01582 733971 (evenings only).

A further date for your diary is the 2009 AGM which we are planning for 28 March in the east of England with an interesting visit before hand. Current plans include a Challenge in 2009 to be held at Christ’s Hospital, near Horsham, on 22-23 August.   This will not be such a large event as the 40^th anniversary occasion at Rempstone.  The Challenge has its own “challenge” in the form of diesel and coal costs as we cannot guarantee reimbursement for those attending with engines or implements.  However invitations have been issued and if you have not heard from us and wish to take part please contact me.

London Emission Zone

From 4th February diesel lorries constructed between 1st January 1973 and 31st December 2000 will have to pay £200 per day to enter the London Emission Zone.  The Zone is broadly within the M25 but does not include the M25.  The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs has found the consultation difficult and Transport for London was only able to agree a pre 1973 historic vehicle exemption.  However the Federation is considering further representation to TfL.