Record Attendance at Annual Meeting!

   A REPORT FROM YOUR GENERAL SECRETARY ……………

After meeting and greeting, everyone enjoyed morning coffee and a chat with old friends and acquaintances.  The Dean of York very kindly joined everyone for this and we were all glad to see him, albeit briefly due to his hectic schedule.

The Chairman opened the Annual Meeting by welcoming all and confirming that today's attendance was a record with over 70 people joining in our celebrations.  John Smith kindly stood in for John Bailey (Hon Treasurer who was unable to attend) and gave a brief account of the Trust's very healthy financial situation.

Colin Clarkson (one of our most long-serving Trustees) after so long in the driving seat took the opportunity to confirm he has now officially handed over the chairmanship of the NW Area to Allen Holmes as well as thanking the officers in attendance.  We all hope Colin is able to enjoy more time doing other things!

Peter Gibson OBE gave an excellent talk by way of a "virtual tour around Yorkshire's stained glass" enhanced by his excellent slide show, very informative and with Peter's usual anecdotes it struck just the right balance. 

Then followed the visits to Fairfax House and the Mansion House which were enjoyed by those who made the visits leaving Richard (Chairman) and myself together with my husband David to rearrange the furniture and set the tables in readiness for lunch time. 

Another highlight of the day was lunch: an exceptional feast and what a feat for the two ladies who cooked and cared for everyone – originally we had expected around 35-45 attendees so it was a good job their supplier sent a 5kg salmon and not the 3kg one they had ordered as everyone had built up a good appetite for the fabulous spread and there were only a few crumbs left!  Some people thought the lemon torte was "to die for".

After we had enjoyed lunch Peter Gibson very kindly accompanied everyone on both church visits where he gave informal (yet informed) chats on the stained glass – again much enjoyed by all: it's amazing the quality, care and attention which goes into even the smallest panes (some less than 1" in height!). 

All too soon it was the end of our day ……… the rain came on even harder and drove us all in our separate directions!

Apart from the rush for the loos (always a problem at large gatherings, especially for us ladies!) and the rain, all in all it was a tremendous day – as underlined by the incredible response I had to the questionnaire I prepared (to get feedback) where some Friends gave the day 11/10!   

Being relatively new to the role of general secretary and this being the first annual meeting I had helped organise, I was very pleased at how things went, however it was of course all due to the attendees and our guest speaker who really made the day so A HUGE BIG THANK YOU to all who came and supported this important event. 

 I do hope you will come again next year (and bring more Friends with you!)

Finally I would like to add my thanks to David (husband) for his invaluable help with meeting, greeting, lugging furniture around and generally supporting me when I got harassed (many times!) in organising the event!  David, you're a star!

 With regards to you all, Janet Fotheringham

P.S.  We are aiming to launch our first Trust Newsletter later this year so if you have any items of news to share with Friends, please let me know.

Have any news items which might be of interest to others? Let us know, send us your news and a picture!