Chairman’s Annual Report 2007

Chairman’s Annual Report 2007

It has again been a very busy year for the branch. Our monthly meetings and A.G.M. at the Cock Inn, Birdwell, Barnsley have attrected well in excess of a hundred attendees over the year and is continuing to go from strength to strength. I feel at this point that we must thank all of the staff of the Cock Inn as nothing ever seems to be too much trouble.

Once again, the enthusiasm of the committee, a full contingent of officers, and national management representative, have not only contributed to a sound basis for us as a whole, but has also helped push forward the branch’s opinions. I am sure that this is what helped swing the vote, for us to host the National Members Weekend and A.G.M. this coming November at Wenthworth Castle.

It became clear as the year progressed, that due to the low number of instructors we had, as well as cancelled shows due to bad weather, we were not going to be able offer as many courses. However, these factors seemed to work in our favour, by allowing more time for new members to get involved in our two, ongoing major projects for the year:

Firstly, the John Lackenby Memorial Steps/Open Air Classroom, at the Whirlow Hall Farm Trust, which has proved to be a great success.

Secondly, the new Examination & Training Centre at Hoylandswaine, which is nearing completion, the first exams are due to take place on the 27^th October. Another promotional feature for the site is a new Dry Stone Walling Dvd, which is being partially filmed there, and should hopefully be unveiled at the National Members Weekend.

I would at this point like to thank Will and Nina at Whirlow Hall Farm, as well as John Helliwell at Hoylandswaine. Without these people we could not have succeeded with our aims.

I feel that the branch, focusing on retaining existing members has not only proved to be successful, but membership has steadily increased by around 30% this year, and overall by 300% from 2005.

During the year, we have had two members from our branch, gain their Instructor Level 1 Certificate, which has increased our instructors to five, and also, three more members have attended the advanced course. This means that for the first time we have Instructor Level 2 trainers within the branch.

We again had competitors in the Yorkshire Open Walling Competition that took place in June. There were three members of the branch who entered, which resulted in a first prize, and two seconds in three of the four classes.

One of our branch members has also taken part in an international scholarship programme in Corsica. His successful training has subsequently led him onto further work in Ardenne, France.

Despite the weather, two of our major demonstrations still took place as well as smaller local Galas:

Penistone Show; over 24,000 visitors with 10 branch members present.

Whirlow Hall Farm Fair; over 6,000 visitors with 5 branch members present.

Special thanks must go to the West Yorkshire branch for loaning their mini marquee as well as allowing us make use of their gazebo and show material. Also to Eddy and Rob who organised stone for the Whirlow Hall Farm Fair.

Thanks must go out to all those that have taken on extra roles within the branch, such as:

Gary: Exam Centre Construction Co-ordinator, Training Course Co-ordinator and National A.G.M. Sub-committee

Les: Website Co-ordinator, Publicity Officer and National A.G.M. Sub-committee

Mick: Minutes Secretary, Banner(1) Organiser and National A.G.M. Sub-committee

John: Branch Photographic Promotion Boards, John Lackenby Memorial and National A.G.M. Sub-committee

Eddy and Rob for the John Lackenby Memorial

Adrian & Joanne Walker, for their help with regards to National A.G.M. Sponsorship

And lastly to Dave, for acting like Tom Thumb and being involved in everything, as well as acquiring Banner(2), a table, leaflet holder and the stainless steel for John’s memorial plaque. To some this up, I would like to propose him to become the vital and unique role of Branch Scrounger!

I feel the focus for the coming year should be to again refocus on training, especially at Whirlow Hall Farm. Our support next year can only help to build on their 30^th Anniversary. However, more immediate is the National Members Weekend, on the 24^th & 25^th November at Wentworth Castle, Barnsley. WE NEED AS MANY MEMBERS AS POSSIBLE TO HELP OUT, SO PLEASE CONTRIBUTE WHERE YOU CAN.

Throughout the year we have again worked well as a team. It has been a true team effort with officers, committee members and some of our newer members getting involved in the organisation of events. No activities take place without someone initially organising them, and they cannot run without members, giving what time they have to help.

I would like to end once again by thanking everyone and more importantly, their spouses, for allowing them to become an officer, committee or branch member, and for their valuable contribution to this year’s programme, and feel confident that we will continue to build on the success of the last two years.

Alan Devonport