7.00 pm on Monday 29th July 2024

in Toll Gavel United Church

Apologies for Absence

Tim Jenkins, Paul Windsor, Simon Griffiths, Charles Laing

Chairman’s opening remarks.

I’d like to start by saying a huge thank you to everyone for helping me over the last year.Especially Terry our secretary. Phillip our treasurer, and Barry for his help with organizing concerts and with the PA. To Liz, whose talented enthusiasm and good humour makes rehearsal a dream, as well as learning experience and to Amy, our brilliant accompanist who doesn’t play the music in front of her, but something much better. And to you the Choir as a whole, for coming to rehearsals so faithfully, because a choir is all about the people singing together.

I’ve done my best over the last year to follow in Nick Hart’s shoes, but I have been struggling as often I need to be in 2 places at once. At rehearsals I should be greeting you at the door, but I’m always busy sorting something else out.

At our first concert here I didn’t know I should have provided the squash in the interval, but I don’t know if you’ve ever noticed, but I rarely get to the interval refreshments because I’m busy sorting something out.

I’ve done my best but I feel I’m not doing the best for you, especially now that I’m working full time again. So please think again if you can step forward to replace me as chaiman, so I can once again concentrate on the music of the choir.

Officers’ Reports

Music Directors Report

As usual I am going to start with my thank you’s. You all know I am sure that my ability to play the piano or even to find middle C in less than 30 seconds is very, very limited and a good choir cannot function musically without a good accompaniment. So, it goes without saying that we are very privileged to be able to draw on the talents of Amy who has made herself an invaluable member of the team. She has supported us really well and does exactly as I have asked, which was play the piano part really rather well! Your sense of fun is always refreshing! Thank you also to the committee for all your hard work, and a special thank you to Nigel for all your hard work even when so thinly stretched!

Thank you also to you all for everything you do for the choir and giving enjoyment to audiences So – what have we achieved this year?John Wesley, that well known Methodist wrote rules for singing in 1761 which bear an uncanny likeness to things we have been working on, over time.

“Sing the notes exactly as they are printed here, without altering or amending them at all; and if you have learned to sing them otherwise, unlearn it as soon as you can.
Sing lustily, and with a good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead, or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength.

Sing modestly. Do not bawl, as to be heard above, or distinct from, the rest of the choir, that you may not destroy the harmony; but strive to unite your voices together, so as to make one clear melodious sound.

Sing in time. Whatever time is sung, be sure to keep with it. Do not run before, not stay behind it; but attend closely to the leading voices and move therewith as exactly as you can. And take care you sing not too slow”

Written 263 years ago isn’t it amazing to think that we are still trying to master this!

Hon Liberian Report

There was nothing to report.

Hon Secretary Report

My report is more of thank yous.

I am sorry I have not been around much at the rehearsals but it has helped by going on Zoom.

1st I would like to thank Nigel for stepping in last year as the chairman, especially as he is a very busy man. Unfortunately he has been asked to go back to 5 day working so we need a chairman desperately.

And as always a big thanks to the music group. Liz, Amy and Nigel for keeping our choir one of the best and having good concerts. However we need more concerts to survive the cost.

Also like to thank Barry for arranging the 50 club. It has helped the coppers. Well done Barry.

Last but not least a big thanks to Nigel for arranging and purchasing the polo shirts and jackets. They look great.

Not forgetting Phil our treasurer for all his hard work.

We had some great concerts over the past year. Thanks to all that helped to arrange these and help on the day which of course includes our wives and partners. We do need to sell more tickets for our concerts.

Unfortunately we lost a great member and friend, Nick Hart. He was a very keen member, even through illness he carried on.

Treasurer’s Report

BMVC AGM 29th July 2024

The annual accounts duly audited and signed off accompany these notes. In round figures our outgoings exceed income by £1960 leaving us with a balance of around £4500. We have incurred substantial extraordinary expenditure and also have ‘liabilities’ of £1380.

We also currently have over 3 years of Gift Aid, about £4000, to reclaim from HMRC as a cushion against future expenditure.

Notes to the accounts

1. The ‘liabilities’ noted above comprise £400 due to Beverley Community Lift as proceeds from the recent Chairman’s concert, £889 of deposits for the forthcoming trip to Kidderminster and £100 Club prizes before that scheme’s year-end in September.

2. During the year we have had £2772 of extraordinary expenditure. This has covered a replacement keyboard, a PA system and our new casual uniform items.

Year-on-year Income Comparisons (rounded figures)

Note: figures are not strictly comparable: indicative only

Comments

1. Overall BMVC is in good financial health, as we have been rebuilding our activities both locally and as a touring choir.

2. Members’ subs, concerts and donations provide the bulk of our income. The Patron income stream seems to be in terminal decline.

3. The Donations figure shown above and in the accounts includes all income that can attract Gift Aid (excluding subs) such as coffee mornings, Club subscriptions, raffles, etc. That amount can be disaggregated if required.

Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended June 30^th 2024

Adoption of Reports

All above reports were adopted by the meeting after a vote.

Proposed – Albert Newbery Seconded – Mark Nicholson

Election of Officers

Officers Remaining Eligible and/or Standing or Reelection-ReElection (To be elected individually)
Hon Treasurer Mr. Phil MacMullen – Re- elected
Hon Librarian Mr.Barry Gibson – Elected

Asst Librarian – Andrew Park

Hon Secretary Mr. Terry Lynn – Re-elected
Website Administrator Mr. Albert Newbery to take on this role.

Concert Coordinator Mr. Barry Gibson – Re-elected

Recruitment Officer: Vacant
Welfare Officer – Mr. Julian Musik 

Re-Elect/ Elect Committee Members
(An en-bloc proposal is acceptable)

Mr. Andrew Park – Bass Representative

Mr. Barry Gibson – Baritone Representative

Glyn Cohen– Second Tenor Representative

Mr. Dave Wiliamson – First Tenor Representative

Proposed – Jon Capel – Seconded – John Chapman

Election of Chairman and Vice Chairman

Chairman – vacant

Vice Chairman – vacant

Appointments for Ratification

No Appointments for Ratification

Amendment of Choir Constitution and Chairmans Job Description

There were no amendments

Elect Examiner of Accounts

Tom Danter was re-elected Proposed – Mike Offen. Seconded – Bernard Norris

Conduct Any Other Business previously submitted by Members

At the last committee meeting held on the 17th July and an Extraordinary meeting held it was agreed to raise Liz’s and Amy’s remuneration by £5 to £70 for Liz and £65 for Amy. All were in favor
.

Meeting ended at 7.30 pm

Extraordinary Meeting held on 5th August 2024

At an extraordinary committee meeting held on Monday 5th August, Andrew Perk kindly agreed to take over as then chairman. To allow this to happen.
It was agreed therefore that the constitution should be amended:

Present “Article 5.2.7 states: which states “The Chairman and Vice Chairman shall be elected for a period of two years, the Vice Chairman taking over from the Chairman on expiry of the latter’s term of office.”

Therefore an amendment was agreed-

5.2.8 saying ‘In exceptional circumstances a Chairman may be elected directly without having first served a term as Deputy Chairman.’

Proposed for this amendment Albert Newbery and seconded Jon Capel

Therefore Andrew Park becoming the chairman was proposed by Julian Muzic and seconded by David Williamson.

Since then Tim Jenkins has agreed to take on the role of Vice Chairman.

Proposed by -Mark Nicholson and seconded by – Jon Capel

John Faulkner kindly agreed to become the Bass section representative
Proposed – Mark Nicholson Seconded – Andrew Park

The Choir gave a big thanks to those gentlemen for offering to fill these post. They have ensured that this choir can continue.