12^th. February  AGM Report & Committee  Changes

Michael Richardson, June Sourbutts and David Spencer join the committee.
Danny Davies, decided not to seek re-election due to his wife’s ill health.

Dual role.
Bob Bryce also didn’t seek re-election as Secretary- Derek Bonner will do the dual role as Treasurer and Secretary. A big thank you to Derek.

Our retiring Secretary.
Bob Bryce was nominated for Life Membership, however, declined. His philosophy has always been ‘’ what can I contribute to the N B S; not what can I get out of it. As Chairman, I believe Bob Bryce, had contributed more to the N B S; as Secretary than any past Secretary. Yes, there have been excellent past Secretaries, however, Bob had also taken on the job as Bulletin Editor too, helping Derek Telford as he got older [ Derek will be 93 at the end of February].

Michael Richardson, will co-ordinate with Brian Simmons regarding contacting members for web-site material. Michael was the person who asked Ian Donaldson to do this year’s N B S; diary.

A respectable attendance.
Considering the weather focus on the day of the A G M; of high winds and heavy torrential rain, there was a respectable attendance.

There were four committee members’ absent. Gary Dando was on holiday as well as Geoff Keer. John Chiswell had fallen and injured his shoulder and was unable to drive and Dave Weatherby could not attend last minute as an unexpected occurrence had emerged at home.

Bob’s talk, a reflection on some of the great growers’ in days gone by.
Bob Bryce gave a topical talk on some of the past great growers’ he’d known during his time growing begonias, the conditions that begonia growers’ need to grow excellent pots and blooms and does the location where growers’ live [ North or South of the country] affect their chances of growing winning prize winning specimens ?
There was healthy debate on this topic area and opinions were divided on whether location affected your chances of success. Bob’s talk was informative and was enjoyed by all.
As Chairman and Secretary, both Bob and I addressed the meeting- giving our thanks to those whom work tirelessly behind the scenes to make our Society a successive vibrant entity.

Members being spoiled.
Once again, Jane Jones made a fresh cream sponge cake and John Bryce a Chocolate cake. The cream and chocolate on each cake was so thick that each member leaving the meeting had gained at least a couple of pounds. I’m not joking. Dorothy Williams too provided an array of biscuits, our members’ were spoiled for choice. Thank you, ladies.

Our web Master and Facebook Administrator.
Brian Simmons was thanked for producing the best Horticultural web site for the promotion of begonia growing. Many other Societies and their members are in or of our N B S; web site and that can only be accredited to Brian and those whom provide material for publication. Phil Champion, The N B S; Facebook Administrator too was thanked for his contribution for the promoting of begonias on Facebook.  Our  N B S; Facebook page is also in my many peoples opinion, one of the best Horticultural Facebook pages for the promoting of begonias on the internet. Phil and Brian are doing an excellent job. Thank you both.

The full content of our A G M; will be published in due course in The N B S; Bulletin and member’s page on the web.

National Show
Mike Avis, will now take sole responsibility for Liaison Officer with Shrewsbury Flower Show and will liaise with Ian Rhys Williams . Mike will also, be responsible for appointing Judges’ for N B S; Shows.

                                                                                                                             Ian Rhys Williams.   Chairman

Clockwise:
Peter Sourbutts Vice Chairman,  Ian Rhys Williams Chairman,  Robert Bryce Bulletin Editor,
Derek Bonner Secretary and Treasurer,  Danny Davies,  Dorothy Williams,  Colin Nicklin,  John Winfield,
Steve Jones Central Area Representative,  Mike Avis National Show Liaison Officer.
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All Tubers will be posted out to the winners in due course.
Many thanks to our donators without whom we could not have a raffle.
All donators should claim all postage costs from the NBS via Derek Bonner Treasurer.
We need more donators.

Members are reminded that EVERYONE can donate. Please do not leave it to the same people year on year.

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NEW YEAR MESSAGE 2019 

All the best to you all for 2019. I am happy to report conserted activity between Christmas and the New Year has resulted in the committee taking on all the activities of the current NBS Secretary. Derek Bonner is now proposed and seconded to take on joint roles as Secretary and Treasurer with a number of the present committee taking up new roles. The current Secretary has offered to carry on as Editor of the bulletin. All members need to consider this and advise of any concerns prior or at the AGM in early February.
With continuity now ensured all members must support them. 

I advise that the real value in being a member of the Society is by actually taking part. If you want a bulletin that represents you, there must be input from you all and effort is required. Ask yourselves whether you could do more to help yourselves and enjoy friendship support? This time of year results in a lack of activity why not write in and ask all your questions, etc. 

Please do remember to renew your membership. If you use this website as a non-member ask yourself if you feel that our members should be paying for your entertainment? Please play fair in future! 

The 70th Annual General Meeting of the National Begonia Society
will be held at 1pm on Saturday 9th February 2019,  at the Manningford Community Hall in Bell’s Lane
near Maypole Island, Birmingham, B14 5TJ

Agenda

1. Notice of Convening Meeting appears in Autumn 2018 bulletin
2. Apologies for Absence
3. Minutes of previous meeting displayed on Members Section NBS Website
4. Matters arising from minutes
5. Election of Chairman. Nomination duly moved proposed and seconded for present incumbent Ian Rhys Williams at this stage
6. Secretaries Report – Progress in 2018
7. Treasurers Report – Receipts and Payment account
8. Resolutions – Can be accepted up to 28 days before AGM. None received at present
9. Appointment of Vice Presidents. No further nominations received.
10. Election of Vice Chairman nomination for present incumbent Peter Sourbutts duly moved seconded and accepted have been received at present
11. Election of Treasurer present incumbent Derek Bonner duly moved seconded and accepted have been received at present
12. Election of Secretary Robert Bryce will stand down at the AGM and Derek Bonner is proposed and seconded by all the NBS committee. Derek Bonner with then take on the duties of the Secretary and Treasurer supported by the NBS committee.
13. Election of Committee – All members stand down and wish to be reappointed except for Robert Bryce and Danny Davies.
14. No Life Members proposed
15. Auditors. Details of who has Audited the 2018 accounts
16. AOB
    1. Vote of thanks to organisers and exhibitors at all our shows.
    2. Facebook pages introduced managed by Phil Champion
    3. Thanks to all officers, committee, the website Editor, the Bulletin Editor, the Facebook co-ordinator and Area Reps from the retiring Secretary.3
    4. Thanks to Danny Davies for all his efforts. Danny made several of the iron items used at our National Shows.
    5. Retirement of the Joint Editor – Derek Telford will stand down after around 25 years hard work. A vote of thanks for all his efforts.

Other business to be advised to Secretary 28 days before meeting

SHOW JUDGES FOR 2019