Last updated 25/03/2008
Minutes of the Association Meeting
Held at Gaydon on 08/10/06
In Attendance:
Nick Beck (Chairman/BA7C), Eric Miles (SA7C), John Williams (SWA7C), Harry Hales (SWA7C), Alan Billington (PWA7C), Sandy Croall (Registrar/CA7C), Den Huke (CA7C), Phil Whitter (DA7C), Hilary Whitter (DA7C), Graham Smith (Solent A7C), Howard Annett (A7OC (London)), Steve Hodgson (Worthing ?), Andy Lowe (MA7C), Arthur Davies (MA7C), Chris Chubb (2 str Boat Tail), Lorna and Alan Martin (Magazine Distribution/VAR), Leo Terelinck (Guest), Phil Baildon (Archivist + V/C), Dan Cole (BA7C)
1.0 Apologies for Absence received from:
Hayden & Glenda Morgan (Secretary/BA7C), Ruairidh Dunford (|Magazine Editor), David Cochrane (Pram Hood), Mike Aplin (EA7C), Malcolm Watts (Web Master), Jim Blacklock (NA7C),
2.0 Adoption of Minutes of the meeting held on 09/04/06
The minutes of the previous meeting were upheld as a true account of the record.Proposed by Lorna Martin, seconded by Howard Annett. (See minor correction discussed later under Archivist)
3.0 Matters Arising
NTR
4.0 Chairman’s Report
Nick Beck reported that he had enjoyed a very good summer with his Austin 7 travelling to France and Scotland and covering 3000 miles in 1 month. It was disappointing that the Cambridge Club had to cancel their planned 50th Anniversary Event due to a low entry. Nick asked all those present to advise their Clubs to advertise events early and as widely as possible. Hazel mentioned that the Cambridge event is now advertised in Classic and Autojumble for 2007. Phil Whitter suggested that when clubs are advertising events they should write to club magazine editors as well as Secretaries to give more chance of a mention in newsletter.
5.0 Secretary’s Report
NTR
5.1 Nick Beck suggested we rejoin the FBHVC as Hayden hasn’t yet. Hayden had asked can we pay to put the old Association Magazine on CD. Hazel felt this may a waste of money as very few people want a whole set. Howard Annet explained that he keeps spares in his garage although the stock has now been rationalised. It was suggested that a quote be obtained and then check what the demand for such a service would be.
6.0 Treasurer’s Report
6.1 Accounts: Audit for 2005 completed. 9 Months to 30/09/06 attached, we will survive.
6.2 Debtors: £387 is owing to us, £55 from UK and £332 from overseas.
6.3 Outstanding income and Expenses: To ensure quality accounts for 2006, please submit as many claims for expenses and as much income as possible BEFORE the year end on 31/12/06 thank you. This includes advertising, Archivist, Registrar, etc.
6.4 Sums outstanding from the Centenary Event: Should we ask Howard to bring this matter to a conclusion by either advising us what further steps he intends to take or recommending that we write off the sums due to us? It can’t be allowed to drift into oblivion. It should be put to bed properly by a committee decision.
6.5 Third Party insurance: I support a proposal that takes this cost back to where it belongs, our member clubs. Can I suggest 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. At least this softens the impact but …… how do we answer the question “what are you going to do with all that money?” THIS is our main problem. Hopefully today’s meeting will start to provide the right answer. “Have a nice day” as the Bantams will say
6.6 The matter of the money from the Centenary event was discussed. Howard Annett explained that the Secretary & Treasurer of FACRA have changed. The past Treasurer has ‘washed his hands’ of the Centenary Rally. Howard said he would not attend again the FACRA meetings again as there were 8 committee members present and 8 visitors. Howard raised the issue of the outstanding money at a previous FACRA meeting and the idea that we should want the money paid back was met with surprise. The attitude seemed to be ‘the Event was so good – why would the Association want any money back’. Lorna proposed that the remaining mugs be split amongst the clubs and sold / given away and an end to be brought to the matter. Eric Miles seconded and there was unanimous agreement.
6.7 Some money from archive sales at the rally got mixed up with some of the A7OC (London) money but the exact amount was unknown. The remaining money had been spent by Phil Baildon on postage in the meantime.
6.8 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. H.A said we should renew our FBVHC membership then, assuming the policy gives us the cover we require, try this out. Lorna Martin proposed the motion, Eric Miles seconded, and voting was unanimous.
7.0 Magazine
Ruairidh Dunford had written a report for the meeting but the Chairman did not have it at the meeting. Nick recalled the main points from the report as follows.
7.1 There had been a production problem at the printers. Ruairidh had emailed them the copy rather than sending a CD and hardcopy and specifically asked them to carefully check the copy and report any problems straight away. Unfortunately they did so too late and a delay resulted hence Alan and Lorna Martin were unable to bring them to the meeting. Lorna explained that the printers will send out the magazines to each club once they were ready. Although this was a regrettable error on the printers’ behalf everyone agreed that as the general service has been so good we should forgive them this slip up and continue to use them for the magazine printing.
7.2 The most important point news from Ruairidh was that 2007b will be the last Association Magazine he will produce so a replacement Editor is needed soon. N.B said he would ask Hayden Morgan to send an urgent note to all club Secretaries asking for ‘volunteers’ for this important role. Everyone agreed that Ruairidh had done an excellent job since taking over as Editor and although he will be a hard act to follow he has organised things very well to make things as straightforward as possible for his replacement.
7.3 Lorna reminded all present that each club needs to communicate the magazine numbers required 3 weeks before each meeting.
8.0 Advertising
Hazel Gore explained that the advertising is going quite well with monies brought in Feb. to Sep. 2006 amounting to £681.00.
9.0 Registrar
Sandy reported that he is 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, most of which can’t be found in existing records. Approximately 450 cars have been added since last May. Membership secretaries of each club were asked by Sandy to submit membership car lists to him and 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. Website
A note from Malcolm Watts was read out Den Huke explained he had spoken to Tony Betts about this at the Scottish Rally and Tony is trying to ensure that all reproduction parts he sells as made ‘as original’ standard. Phil Baildon stated that the Association only hace general arrangement drawings for most parts (except some like crank and rods) and these do not state tolerances etc required. Hazel Gore said Phil Baildon could write to Gillian Bardsley as she may be able to help with this. Arthur Davies made the point that people should make complaints directly to the manufacturers not the website. Problems with second hand parts, tolerances etc. were discussed at some length.
10.0 Archivist
10.1 Poster sales have continued and money has been passed on. Phil Baildon has been asked to do another numbers article (he wrote 1 about 5 years ago). He has also been approached by the DVLA to assist in investigating a suspect number on a Swallow or uncertain heritage. P.B
10.2 Phil is still pursuing the old films discussed previously but has not been able to see them yet.
10.3 Steve Hainsworth is researching 2 films reportedly surviving in New Zealand. ‘Around the World in a Baby Austin’ (McQuarry and Matthews) and a Seebrook–Frouds film. If it is possible P.B would like the Association to obtain a copy of whatever remains of these.
0.4 To clarify pt.11.4 of the minutes from the April meeting, P.B only meant that the lists of Handbooks and Spares books should be published on the website, not the actual books themselves.
10.5 The idea of putting Handbooks and Spares books on to CD was discussed; P.B suggested if we do this we should copy them all.
10.6 Steve Hodgson presented a copy of a drawing to P.B which included measurements on a general arrangement view of an A7 chassis for Coach builders.
11.0 Films
Hazel has discussed with Gillian Bardsley the films that she collected at the last meeting. He Heritage Trust will not store the films unless we donate them and if we do donate them we will not be entitled to borrow them! The storage of the films now requires further thought. The subject of copying films to DVD was discussed. It was felt that some of them may already be available on DVD from the Heritage Centres shop and elsewhere. The films need sorting through to check what needs copying. Hazel will tackle this with help over the winter. H.G
12.0 Membership
12.1 N.B read letter from Surrey Austin Owners Club asking if they were now members since they had received Association Magazines. Lorna explained she had sent the Magazines and invoiced them although they are not yet members. Nick also read a letter form SAOC objecting to claims they were a splinter group, Phil Baildon stressed that it should be up to the representatives of the member clubs present at the meeting to vote on allowing / not allowing new clubs to join the Association regardless of whether or not they are ‘splinter groups’.
12.2 The British Austin Society wants to extend their membership from Associate to full member. This was discussed, however, under the constitution the Association criteria for full membership was that the club must be Austin Seven orientated. As the British Austin Society covers all makes of Austin and is not specifically for Austin Sevens full membership it was deemed would not therefore be appropriate.
Voting for the other clubs was as follows:
12.3 North Hants Austin Enthusiasts Group were asking for Associate Membership. For: 9 Abstained: 1.
12.4 Surrey Austin Owners Club were asking for Associate Membership.
For: 8, Against: 1, Abstained: 1.
12.5 Eric Miles suggested that member clubs should suggest ideas as to how the constitution of the Association should change re letting in new clubs. N.B to ask Hayden to send constitution off to club secretaries. Some discussion ensued and E.M suggested it is only the definition of club only needs reviewing in the case of clubs applying for full membership. Associate member clubs are not a problem as they have no voting rights.
13.0 Spares
Howard reported that the new Red Cross directory should be ready for January and, if so, will be brought to the meeting. As usually its production has been subsidised by the Association.
14.0 Breakdown Register
NTR
15.0 Calendar
Dates for 2007 Association meetings as follows: 14th Jan, 15th April, 15th July, 14th Oct. Gayden to be inform in writing:
Bernard needs dates of events from clubs by the end of October.
16.0 AOB
16.1 Alan Billington announced he will no longer be attending Association meetings as he is stepping down as a committee member of PWA7C.
16.2 Den Huke asked if an individual leaves their A7 Club, does their Insurance with RH become invalid? Most felt that this was a grey area needing clarification. It was decided clubs should remind members that their Insurance MAY become invalid if they leave their club.
16.3 Den Huke mentioned an event at Silverstone in July 2007 which the Association and clubs may like to attend. More details are to follow and someone would be required to organize the Association’s participation.
16.4 The idea of a 2007 A7 85th Anniversary Rally was discussed. General consensus was that it would be better to tag along with anther event than have the difficulty, cost and work associated with organising an independent event with little time left. Hazel Mentioned there will be many events next summer which we could ‘join in’ on. More details to follow.
16.5 Howard Annett mentioned a new book about Longbridge which is for sale in the Gaydon shop + 2 DVDs of the Centenary Rally. 1 is ‘O.K’ but largely features the post war cars that were present and was produced by John Harris. The other, produced by Barry Davies of the PWA7C is likely to feature more early cars but is yet to be ‘reviewed’.
16.6 Hazel Gore explained that the campaign to appropriately preserve Herbert Austin’s office is ongoing with petitions still coming in. Eventually they will be presented to Parliament. She presented 2 newspaper cuttings about the campaign.
16.7 Phil Whitter mentioned that the DA7C and CA7C shared a very enjoyable club holiday and felt that such ‘combined’ events can work very well. Many present echoed his views on this.
The Chairman thanked all for attending and brought the meeting to a close at 14:55
Next meeting on 14th January 2007.