This was another smoothly run AGM. This report merely highlights some outcomes. For further information, the minutes should be consulted.

It was agreed to continue with a levy on outdoor weekend meets: purpose to underwrite potential loss making activities like book and outdoor meets.

It was agreed that the subscriptions for 2005-2006 will be:

Individual member £23

Furth & Associate member £12

Dave thanked John Anderson for auditing the accounts. John had intimated that he was willing to undertake this task for 2005-2006: Dave received unanimous approval from the meeting for John’s appointment.

Arthur Whittaker reported that there are currently 122 members, including 4 honorary members, which compares with a total of 119 members a year ago.

Dave said that Bill McIntyre is taking over from him. An orange harness is missing and a new sling is needed: Bill will be following this up and also the need for better control with the use of Club equipment.

Dave outlined a very busy year for the Club, which included many of the events to celebrate the 50^th. Anniversary, and notably the dinner dance at Loch Lomond Youth Hostel which proved a great success with over 130 members, past members and guests in attendance. The completion of the Club’s book to celebrate the anniversary was the culmination of 3 years very hard work by the sub-committee who produced a most readable, amusing and worthwhile record of the first 50 years.

There was a full outdoor programme, which started with the bi-annual summer foreign trip, to the Stubai Alps, with record attendance but mixed weather. Other memorable meets were to the Lake District for New Year( a first), Burns Supper weekend at Loch Ness Youth Hostel, great winter conditions at Glen Clova in February, Easter at Gairloch Youth Hostel and the ‘annual trip’ to Skye at the end of April. Several meets were over subscribed and Dave felt that venues for autumn, Burns Supper and one May meet should be selected to allow full attendance, including prospective new members.

Dave outlined an equally active indoor programme for the past year with 14 meets plus the AGM. A mix of Club and outside speakers proved popular. Topics ranged from the Farrow Family’s GB End-to-End cycle ride, Gordon Dykes and Sue Johnston in Mongolia, to nutrition, mountain safety, footpaths and sports injuries plus the annual quiz which had a disappointingly low turnout.

There were many achievements both on the hills and socially: Munro compleations by Colin and Monica Farrow, Ruth Keighley, Carol Proudfoot, Fiona Anderson, Stephen Owen and Kate McKean – and congratulations to Gill Cook and Arthur Whittaker on their wedding, to Alice Mitchell and David Harrison who got engaged and to Alison McLaren on her wedding.

During the year the Club made a total donation of £1,000 to the NTS Sole Trader footpath appeal, a first for any hill walking club which will hopefully encourage others to do likewise, both as Clubs and individuals, for this worthwhile cause.

Dave then reflected on how the post-indoor meet social gathering in a local pub – a high point of the evening for him - had declined since the move from Hillhead Library to Wellington Church.He hoped this could be revived because it can present a welcoming face to new members who are needed as the membership gets older and the Club needs to keep re-inventing itself. Newcomers often want to continue chatting after the end of the indoor meet and the venue for indoor meets was discussed later, along with hearing views on the need for a digital projector – to buy or rent as needed from a new indoor meet venue.

Dave concluded by thanking everyone for their support during his 6 years on the committee – and especially fellow committee members – when he served first as an ordinary member, then treasurer, vice chairman and finally as chairman. He wished the new committee every success in the future.

Gordon then thanked Dave for all the work he had done during his time on the Committee, and this was warmly acclaimed by the members.

Arthur referred to the papers previously circulated to members about the need to tighten up the membership administration of the Club: in summary, he was concerned that with the current arrangements it was possible that not all members names would be registered with the MCofS, and thereby enjoy the protection of its insurance cover, and this placed unacceptable risks on the membership secretary and committee as well. The aim was therefore to align the timing of the Club subscription payment with the sending of a definitive membership list to MCofS. Also, there was concern at the security of contact details for individual Club members, with regard to the Data Protection Act: to allow for approved use of this by members and to keep records up to date at the time of renewing MCofS subscriptions, a new Renewal of Membership form was proposed.

The changes to the constitution, as set out in the AGM papers previously circulated, were noted. Their acceptance was proposed by Sue Johnston and seconded by Mary Cox, and approved by the meeting.

After some discussion, the forms and constitution change were approved.

Before any decision was made about a charitable donation for 2005-2006 there was a full discussion about the footpath donation of £1,000 made for 2004-2005.

After discussion, the following, was agreed:

Connie said that over the last year, whilst she had looked after the library, there had been 15 book loans made, the highest for many years. Its content could be broadly split into guidebooks, expedition stories, instructional books and newsletters.

Following a short discussion the following was agreed:

There was some discussion on the venue for indoor meets. After discussion, it was apparent that members do not want to change the present venue.

After discussion there was agreement that the Club should buy a digital projector for around £750.

It was agreed that a return would be made to indoor meets being held on the 1^st. and 3^rd. Thursdays of each month.

The meeting closed at 10.10pm.

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