Last updated 25/03/2008
Minutes of the Association Meeting
Held at Gaydon on 14/01/07
In Attendance:
Nick Beck (Chairman/BA7C),Hayden Morgan (secretary/BA7C),Eric Miles (SA7C), John Williams (SWA7C), Nora Williams (SWA7C), Dave Wilcox (PWA7C), Den Huke (CA7C), Bernard Cowley (DA7C), Roger Ballard (DA7C), Graham Smith (Solent A7C), Howard Annett (A7OC (London)), Andy Lowe (MA7C), Arthur Davies (MA7C), Lorna and Alan Martin (Magazine Distribution/VAR), Michael Aplin (Essex), Penny Aplin(Essex), Phil Baildon (Archivist + V/C), Dan Cole (BA7C) Jim Blacklock (NA7C), Susan Martin (NA7C)
1.0 Apologies for Absence received from:
Ruairidh Dunford (Magazine Editor), David Cochrane (Pram Hood), Malcolm Watts (Web Master), Stephen Hodgson (Worthing), Sandy Croall(Registrar), Glen Morgan (BA7C), Eric Jones (Treasurer)
2.0 Adoption of Minutes of the meeting held on 08/10/06
The minutes of the previous meeting were amended
5.1 Magazine not newsletter
6.5 Third Party not part
16.7 Bernard Cowley reported that that the Dorset club went to Cornwall not Bristol on holiday
Attendees at the meeting were reminded that it would be preferable to let the secretary know of any errors occurring in the minutes prior to the meeting so that valuable time was not taken up on minor mistakes. The minute secretary felt that certain individuals were using the opportunity to publicly correct spelling errors, which was not felt to be very supportive.
Minutes were then upheld as a true account.
Proposed by Den Huke, seconded by John Williams.
3.0 Matters Arising
Phil Baildon reported that the investigation into a suspect number on a Swallow was now completed and the car was being scrapped
4.0 Chairman’s Report
Nick Beck stated that he did not have a lot to report to the meeting but was saddened with the deaths of several prominent and active club members namely, Royston Ball, Chris Lowe and Ray Stephens. Nick reported that Ray was active until the end attending the Bristol Boxing day run. Ray has given his cars to his grandchildren so that they will keep them on the road
5.0 Secretary’s Report
5.1 Hayden reported that the Association has now joined the FBHVC5.2 Keith Nelson has given up the post of Sports Registrar; Stephen Hodgson is prepared to stand for this position, he was proposed by the Scottish A7C and seconded by the London Owners Club with the room all in favour for him to take on this role
5.3 Ruairidh Dunford is standing down as editor at the A.G.M A proposal from the Midlands club was seconded by the Scottish Club for Robin Boyce to take over. Robin was involved in the past as Assistant Editor for some years. It was felt to be a good thing to have some overlap between Ruairidh and Robin so as to provide a smooth transition into the next Magazine. Robin was appointed unanimously.
5.4 Hayden had two enquires from the Cornish Club, the first requesting clarification to the situation whereby an individual did not renew their membership but continued to insure their car with RH. The Cornish Club asked if a member in this situation would still be covered?
Hayden will contact RH for clarification on this issue and report back.
5.5 Secondly the Cornwall Club asked if there could be extra copies of the Red Cross Directory delivered to Club Secretaries for new members. Howard informed the room that the Red Cross directory was being proof read at the moment and will be with us for the AGM in April. It was decided that all clubs would receive an extra 10%. Proposed by Dan Cole and seconded by Lorna Martin. Howard to contact the printer to ensure enough are printed to do this.
6.0 Treasurer’s Report
6.1 Accounts: 12 months to 31 December 2006 were distributed to the room and showed we have a very healthy sum in the bank.
6.2 Third Party insurance:
Eric Jones proposed that this cost be taken back to where it belongs, the member clubs. Eric suggested that we do NOT renew our present cover in February 2007 but we agree to reimburse member clubs for half of the BASIC costs that they pay for their next year via the Willis policy. He felt this would soften the financial impact. He asked the question “what are you going to do with all the money the Association has?” He asked those present at the meeting to start thinking how to answer this.
6.3 Third Party insurance:
The insurance issue was also discussed. Re paying for the ‘new’ policy, the existing cover with Peter Best Insurance lasts until February 2007. Lorna Martin suggested that as the Magazine makes a profit for the Association, this money should be used to cover the cost of the Federation Insurance. The general consensus was that we should try this for one year and then review matters. Howard Annett said we should renew our FBVHC membership then, assuming the policy gives us the cover we require, we should try it out. Lorna Martin proposed the motion, Eric Miles seconded, voting was unanimously in favour.
7.0 Magazine
7.1 Ruairidh Dunford informed Hayden than he had a problem with his computer and had lost most of the 2007A magazine. After a few long nights work he had managed get the magazine out in time.
Howard has ordered 200 more binders, the cost had risen by 4p but it was felt that we should still sell to the clubs at the present price
7.2 Lorna reminded all present that each club needs to communicate the number of magazines they require by the first day of the month of the meeting. She reported that Alan and she had calls the day before the meeting to alter numbers! Lorna requested that clubs appoint someone to inform her of numbers on this date otherwise orders would remain as previous.
8.0 Advertising
N T R
9.0 Registrar
Sandy reported that he has added 2 cars per week to the register, on average, and is typically having 3-4 enquires a week, mostly of the ‘where are they now’ variety. He reported that most of these enquiries result in nothing being found in existing records. Approximately 450 cars have been added since last May. Membership secretaries of each club were asked to submit membership car lists to Sandy, most have not yet replied. He added that out of all Austin Sevens manufactured approximately 10,000 are known to survive. This equates to about 3% of the total.
10.0 Website
We have had over 25,000 visitors through the front page of the web site; others will have visited the site indirectly from other pages and will not, therefore, have been added to the count.
At the last meeting the question was raised regarding old copies of Association minutes on the website and how long they should be kept online for. It was decided to keep minutes for a twelve month period before removing them.
Some clarification of the last minutes was needed (10.4) this indicated that only a list of Austin Publications should be on the website, not copies of the actual booklets, this has caused some confusion. The complete list of publications has been on the site for some considerable time already. The April minute was taken as it was written meaning that, as time became available, individual booklets would be put on the web site.
Malcolm requested if this was actually the case, and if not why not? Malcolm reported that the copyright for any of the Pre War Austin booklets had expired before the current Copyright Act extended the period of copyright and are, therefore, not subject to the new provisions making them copyright free. It was agreed to ask Malcolm to do this .
Malcolm requested permission to put some of the drawings that were transferred to CD by the Association last year as they did not seem to be available to members in any other way at present. It was agreed that the Austin Seven drawings could go on.
11.0 Archivist
Poster sales have continued and money has been passed on. Phil Baildon informed the meeting that all four purchases had been made through e-bay and the total amount was £54.
The idea of putting Handbooks and Spares books on to CD was discussed. Dave Wilcox , who has a digital imaging firm, was asked if he could provide a price “on the spot”. He stated that there are around 100 handbooks and would be a massive time consuming job. Taking into consideration all the man hours needed it would cost approx £10,000. Roger Ballard then asked, with so many club members owning computers and scanners, was there not a possibility that this job could be done through the membership? Following discussions Nick Beck felt that it was a good idea we needed to appoint a coordinator to oversee the project.
Phil Baildon reported that he has been contacted about a photograph album belonging to the late Miss Gladys De Havilland. The album chronicled her trip around the world in her Chummy in the 1920s. After discussion it was agreed to try and purchase the album for the Association. Ken Cooke had been to see the album and had told Phil Baildon that he had not seen many of the photographs before. Alan and Lorna Martin said it was only three miles from them and they would go and contact the seller.
12.0 FILMS
Malcolm Watts asked whether we had a list of the films that the Association held.
It was felt by all that we had gone over this item time and time again. Hazel Gore had a few films and the rest were with Joe Spalter. Den Huke informed the room that there was a firm near to him that could put them on to D. V. D. Den was asked if he was willing to do this, he agreed and will contact Joe and make arrangements to collect the films.
13.0 Membership
David Cochrane reported that a type 50mph sports had turned up in Finland, taking the known total up to 6. Hayden informed the room if they went into the AUSTIN SEVEN FRIENDS SITE, the forum page contained some pictures of the car as found.
14.0 Spares
David Cochrane reported he has made a new batch of crownwheels and pinions.
15.0 Breakdown Register
NTR
16.0 Calendar
Hayden to contact Gaydon for a new date for the April meeting as it classes with Drive your car day. The new date is the 29 APRIL
17.0 AOB
Roger Ballard reported that the DA7C, A7OC, ScA7C, NA7C and EA7C now send their club magazine out by e-mail to club representatives. He asked if other clubs could do the same, so as to cut down on cost. Jim Blacklock asked if clubs could forward the “for sale and wanted” items separately, then they could be put into other club magazines as there may be people looking for spares or cars that are for sale in other parts of the country.
The Chairman thanked all for attending and brought the meeting to a close at 13:05
Next meeting on 29 APRIL 2007.