Registered Charity Number : 275527
The Friends of The Ipswich Museums
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held at Christchurch Mansion on Tuesday 5th April 2011, 7.30pm.
Present: The President and 58 members of the Friends. Marlene Moyes, Colchester & Ipswich Museums service. Peter Berridge, Museums Service Management.
Apologies for absence received from: Kay Crauford-Benson, Barbara Cole, Richard Fearn, Diana and Geoffrey Hollis, Eileen Huntsman, Mary Morgan, Ferial Evans Rogers, David and Ann Rough, Susan Shaw, Claire Thompson.
Minutes of the AGM of 14th April 2010:
The minutes of the AGM of 14th April 2010 were approved without amendment. This was proposed by Alan Swerdlow, seconded by Stuart Curtis, agreed by the meeting and signed by the Chairman.
Matters arising from the AGM of 14th April 2010: None.
Chairman's report:
Mary Southwood reviewed acquisitions to which the Friends had contributed during the past two years. These included Anglo Saxon jewellery and modern paintings and drawings. The Chairman also commented on the success of many Friends' day trips and longer visits during this time and the Christmas parties as well as a Strawberries and Cream evening held in the Mansion. There had been considerable expansion of the guided tour programme provided by the Friends and many more visitors were now being shown round the house.
The most notable events during her period as Chairman had been the opening of the new Egyptian Gallery at High Street Museum and the reopening of the former Ipswich Art School as a gallery and centre of artistic activity. The building was now being used and enjoyed by many. She reminded members that the publication of 'High Street Heyday', written by Richard Scott and Paul Bruce would be on sale soon. Profits from this illustrated account of the Art School from 1859 - 1997 would go to the Art School Purchase Appeal.
It was proposed that the chairmanship of the Friends would pass to Alan Swerdlow, a previous Chair and Vice President. Last year an appeal was made for new committee members and Mary Southwood now welcomed Peter Stockdale (Treasurer), Delly Newson (Secretary), Tina Campbell (Visits and Events) and Sheila Brooks (Committee Member). She thanked Kathleen Daniel, who was retiring as Secretary, for her work during the past 9 years. The Chairman expressed her enjoyment of her own time as both Chairman and Council member and thanked the Friends for giving her the opportunity of holding these offices.
Treasurer's Report and Accounts:
Copies of the report and Accounts had been circulated at the beginning of the meeting. The Treasurer commented on the slight drop in membership and on the withdrawal of Gift Aid on subscriptions. The amount shown in the accounts as costs associated with 'Guided Tours and Lectures' (£2680) was queried. Peter Stockdale undertook to look into this and post his findings on the FoIM website. Subject to this undertaking, it was proposed by David Kergon, seconded by Jerry Latham and agreed by the meeting that the accounts be adopted. Ken Wilson agreed to continue acting as Independent Examiner.
Report of the Membership Secretary: (read by the Secretary in Barbara Cole's absence)
There had been very little change in membership numbers, which totalled 347. Four new corporate members had been recruited during the past year. Receipts from the two donations chests totalled £4064, £3251 from Christchurch Mansion and £813 from the Museum. Barbara was grateful for the assistance of her husband Derek and Terry Lloyd, who helped to empty and count the proceeds of the two chests. She would no longer be responsible for holiday and visits bookings, but would continue to deal with bookings for lectures and the Christmas Party.
Report of the Colchester and Ipswich Museums Service Manager.
Peter Berridge delivered the report from the Museums Service. In surveying progress in Ipswich since the merger with Colchester, Peter Berridge said that there had been successive increases in the attendance figures from the first year onwards. Initially this was due to improvements in events and marketing and had been achieved without major investment. The complete reworking of the Egyptian Gallery heralded a new era of substantial changes and also illustrated the advantages of having the resources of the two boroughs' collections to call upon. With the introduction of activities in the Art School building, attendance figures had risen to 150,000 for the most recent year. Ipswich Borough Council had spent between £2 and £3 million on repairs and renovations to the fabric of Christchurch Mansion and the Museum, much of it on the Mansion roofs. The proposed purchase of the Art School would initiate a redevelopment of the whole High Street complex, at an estimated cost of £10 - £12 million. Initial meetings with Heritage Lottery Fund have been encouraging. The Service would be looking to the Friends for financial support, as part of its funding strategy. Another project in which early support from the Friends would be needed was a bid to buy the Dallinghoo Hoard - some 870 Iron Age gold coins whose probable price would be £300,000 and which the Museum was anxious to acquire. The Borough Council saw the Museum Service as a major part of its cultural strategy and, despite the current economic climate, there was every likelihood that current plans for its future could be fulfilled.
Presidents Address.
Gay Strutt thanked Peter Berridge for his thorough and inspiring account of the Museums Service's activities and prospects. She was grateful to Mary Southwood and Kathleen Daniel for their work with the Friends over several years. She encouraged everyone present to recruit new Friends and to promote the work of FoIM.
Election of the Council and Members.
Chairman - Alan Swerdlow
Vice-Chairman - Jerry Latham
Treasurer - Peter Stockdale
Secretary - Delly Newson
Council Members: Sheila Brooks, Tina Campbell, Barbara Cole, Stuart Curtis, Kathleen Daniel, Mary Halliwell, David Kergon, Joan Munns.
It was proposed by Jean Odell, seconded by Geraldine Patey and agreed to by the meeting that the above named be elected. Following the election of the new Council Officers and Members Mary Southwood and Kathleen Daniel were both presented with plants in thanks for their time with the Friends.
Amendments to the Constitution.
Alan Swerdlow took the Chair and referred to the draft constitution which had been circulated to all members with the spring Newsletter. He outlined the main changes which included raising the junior membership age from 23 to 25; renaming the 'FoIM council' to the 'FoIM Committee' to avoid confusion with the Ipswich Borough Council; clarifying the voting rights of the Vice-presidents and increasing the cheque-signing limit to £500. It was proposed by Mary Southwood, seconded by David Kergon and agreed by the meeting that the Draft Constitution be adopted as circulated.
Any other business.
1. In reply to a question about the copying of newsletters, posters, membership forms etc. it was recommended that members should request such items from the Committee rather that copy the documents themselves.
2. The Chairman confirmed that Gift Aid could no longer be claimed on subscriptions, which were regarded as a service rather than a donation. Replying to a question about Bank account interest, the Treasurer replied that a higher interest rate must be balanced against the safety of the investment but that he would always seek to maximise interest on FoIM's bank accounts provided the investment was a secure one.
3. A member commented on the lack of examples of Ipswich's industrial history in the Museums Service's collections and exhibitions. Peter Berridge replied that, by their nature, such items required large spaces which were lacking in the buildings available to us but the Service was co-operating in every way it could with the displays and activities of the Ipswich Transport Museum.
4. One member pointed out that the timing of FoIM events and visits, during the daytime and on weekdays, excluded people working at those times. Delly Newson said she hoped it would be possible by creating an accessible online presence to interest people in the 18 - 40 age range and show what we can offer to those of working age as well as welcoming suggestions from those within this demographic.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.30 p.m. and members were privileged to hear an illustrated account by Dr. Rosie Mills, of the Victoria and Albert Museum, on the redesign of the Museum's Mediaeval and Renaissance Galleries.
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held at Christchurch Mansion on Tuesday 5th April 2011, 7.30pm.
Present: The President and 58 members of the Friends. Marlene Moyes, Colchester & Ipswich Museums service. Peter Berridge, Museums Service Management.
Apologies for absence received from: Kay Crauford-Benson, Barbara Cole, Richard Fearn, Diana and Geoffrey Hollis, Eileen Huntsman, Mary Morgan, Ferial Evans Rogers, David and Ann Rough, Susan Shaw, Claire Thompson.
Minutes of the AGM of 14th April 2010:
The minutes of the AGM of 14th April 2010 were approved without amendment. This was proposed by Alan Swerdlow, seconded by Stuart Curtis, agreed by the meeting and signed by the Chairman.
Matters arising from the AGM of 14th April 2010: None.
Chairman's report:
Mary Southwood reviewed acquisitions to which the Friends had contributed during the past two years. These included Anglo Saxon jewellery and modern paintings and drawings. The Chairman also commented on the success of many Friends' day trips and longer visits during this time and the Christmas parties as well as a Strawberries and Cream evening held in the Mansion. There had been considerable expansion of the guided tour programme provided by the Friends and many more visitors were now being shown round the house.
The most notable events during her period as Chairman had been the opening of the new Egyptian Gallery at High Street Museum and the reopening of the former Ipswich Art School as a gallery and centre of artistic activity. The building was now being used and enjoyed by many. She reminded members that the publication of 'High Street Heyday', written by Richard Scott and Paul Bruce would be on sale soon. Profits from this illustrated account of the Art School from 1859 - 1997 would go to the Art School Purchase Appeal.
It was proposed that the chairmanship of the Friends would pass to Alan Swerdlow, a previous Chair and Vice President. Last year an appeal was made for new committee members and Mary Southwood now welcomed Peter Stockdale (Treasurer), Delly Newson (Secretary), Tina Campbell (Visits and Events) and Sheila Brooks (Committee Member). She thanked Kathleen Daniel, who was retiring as Secretary, for her work during the past 9 years. The Chairman expressed her enjoyment of her own time as both Chairman and Council member and thanked the Friends for giving her the opportunity of holding these offices.
Treasurer's Report and Accounts:
Copies of the report and Accounts had been circulated at the beginning of the meeting. The Treasurer commented on the slight drop in membership and on the withdrawal of Gift Aid on subscriptions. The amount shown in the accounts as costs associated with 'Guided Tours and Lectures' (£2680) was queried. Peter Stockdale undertook to look into this and post his findings on the FoIM website. Subject to this undertaking, it was proposed by David Kergon, seconded by Jerry Latham and agreed by the meeting that the accounts be adopted. Ken Wilson agreed to continue acting as Independent Examiner.
Report of the Membership Secretary: (read by the Secretary in Barbara Cole's absence)
There had been very little change in membership numbers, which totalled 347. Four new corporate members had been recruited during the past year. Receipts from the two donations chests totalled £4064, £3251 from Christchurch Mansion and £813 from the Museum. Barbara was grateful for the assistance of her husband Derek and Terry Lloyd, who helped to empty and count the proceeds of the two chests. She would no longer be responsible for holiday and visits bookings, but would continue to deal with bookings for lectures and the Christmas Party.
Report of the Colchester and Ipswich Museums Service Manager.
Peter Berridge delivered the report from the Museums Service. In surveying progress in Ipswich since the merger with Colchester, Peter Berridge said that there had been successive increases in the attendance figures from the first year onwards. Initially this was due to improvements in events and marketing and had been achieved without major investment. The complete reworking of the Egyptian Gallery heralded a new era of substantial changes and also illustrated the advantages of having the resources of the two boroughs' collections to call upon. With the introduction of activities in the Art School building, attendance figures had risen to 150,000 for the most recent year. Ipswich Borough Council had spent between £2 and £3 million on repairs and renovations to the fabric of Christchurch Mansion and the Museum, much of it on the Mansion roofs. The proposed purchase of the Art School would initiate a redevelopment of the whole High Street complex, at an estimated cost of £10 - £12 million. Initial meetings with Heritage Lottery Fund have been encouraging. The Service would be looking to the Friends for financial support, as part of its funding strategy. Another project in which early support from the Friends would be needed was a bid to buy the Dallinghoo Hoard - some 870 Iron Age gold coins whose probable price would be £300,000 and which the Museum was anxious to acquire. The Borough Council saw the Museum Service as a major part of its cultural strategy and, despite the current economic climate, there was every likelihood that current plans for its future could be fulfilled.
Presidents Address.
Gay Strutt thanked Peter Berridge for his thorough and inspiring account of the Museums Service's activities and prospects. She was grateful to Mary Southwood and Kathleen Daniel for their work with the Friends over several years. She encouraged everyone present to recruit new Friends and to promote the work of FoIM.
Election of the Council and Members.
Chairman - Alan Swerdlow
Vice-Chairman - Jerry Latham
Treasurer - Peter Stockdale
Secretary - Delly Newson
Council Members: Sheila Brooks, Tina Campbell, Barbara Cole, Stuart Curtis, Kathleen Daniel, Mary Halliwell, David Kergon, Joan Munns.
It was proposed by Jean Odell, seconded by Geraldine Patey and agreed to by the meeting that the above named be elected. Following the election of the new Council Officers and Members Mary Southwood and Kathleen Daniel were both presented with plants in thanks for their time with the Friends.
Amendments to the Constitution.
Alan Swerdlow took the Chair and referred to the draft constitution which had been circulated to all members with the spring Newsletter. He outlined the main changes which included raising the junior membership age from 23 to 25; renaming the 'FoIM council' to the 'FoIM Committee' to avoid confusion with the Ipswich Borough Council; clarifying the voting rights of the Vice-presidents and increasing the cheque-signing limit to £500. It was proposed by Mary Southwood, seconded by David Kergon and agreed by the meeting that the Draft Constitution be adopted as circulated.
Any other business.
1. In reply to a question about the copying of newsletters, posters, membership forms etc. it was recommended that members should request such items from the Committee rather that copy the documents themselves.
2. The Chairman confirmed that Gift Aid could no longer be claimed on subscriptions, which were regarded as a service rather than a donation. Replying to a question about Bank account interest, the Treasurer replied that a higher interest rate must be balanced against the safety of the investment but that he would always seek to maximise interest on FoIM's bank accounts provided the investment was a secure one.
3. A member commented on the lack of examples of Ipswich's industrial history in the Museums Service's collections and exhibitions. Peter Berridge replied that, by their nature, such items required large spaces which were lacking in the buildings available to us but the Service was co-operating in every way it could with the displays and activities of the Ipswich Transport Museum.
4. One member pointed out that the timing of FoIM events and visits, during the daytime and on weekdays, excluded people working at those times. Delly Newson said she hoped it would be possible by creating an accessible online presence to interest people in the 18 - 40 age range and show what we can offer to those of working age as well as welcoming suggestions from those within this demographic.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.30 p.m. and members were privileged to hear an illustrated account by Dr. Rosie Mills, of the Victoria and Albert Museum, on the redesign of the Museum's Mediaeval and Renaissance Galleries.
>>>> Findings
At the AGM of the Friends of the Ipswich Museums in Christchurch Mansion on April 5th a query was raised concerning the costs in the accounts under the heading 'Guided Tours and Lectures', as there was a concern that the profitability of the Tours looked suspect.
The invoices have been examined again, and the total costs that are solely attributable to the Tours amount to £77.61 for the year. The receipts have also been revisited and the breakdown shows that the Tours raised a total of £2,425.50, which after the minimal costs are deducted leaves a nett figure of £2,347.39. This is a considerable proportion of the total raised for last year, and the Good News is that our guides are producing income at a far greater rate this year - long may it continue!
The costs allocated under the heading 'Guided Tours and Lectures' are mainly attributable to the lunchtime Lectures, which are intended primarily as a benefit for members. These consist of a talk followed by a lunch, and five talks with a lunch bill alone of around £400 each account for c.£2,000 of the total. These events make a small profit, which is welcome but secondary to providing an interest and benefit for being a member of the Friends.
The accounts for the current year will be presented in a slightly different format, with clearer distinctions between the individual components of Fundraising and Benefits.
At the AGM of the Friends of the Ipswich Museums in Christchurch Mansion on April 5th a query was raised concerning the costs in the accounts under the heading 'Guided Tours and Lectures', as there was a concern that the profitability of the Tours looked suspect.
The invoices have been examined again, and the total costs that are solely attributable to the Tours amount to £77.61 for the year. The receipts have also been revisited and the breakdown shows that the Tours raised a total of £2,425.50, which after the minimal costs are deducted leaves a nett figure of £2,347.39. This is a considerable proportion of the total raised for last year, and the Good News is that our guides are producing income at a far greater rate this year - long may it continue!
The costs allocated under the heading 'Guided Tours and Lectures' are mainly attributable to the lunchtime Lectures, which are intended primarily as a benefit for members. These consist of a talk followed by a lunch, and five talks with a lunch bill alone of around £400 each account for c.£2,000 of the total. These events make a small profit, which is welcome but secondary to providing an interest and benefit for being a member of the Friends.
The accounts for the current year will be presented in a slightly different format, with clearer distinctions between the individual components of Fundraising and Benefits.