THE GUILDFORD SOCIETY
SOCIAL AND COMMUNICATIONS GROUP
Annual Report 2009-2010
In the last year, there has been no change in the members of the Group. They are David Bunting (Chairman), Gillian Cameron (Publicity), Ralph Hill (Webmaster), Barbara Logan (Catering), Maureen Rivett (Secretary), John Shorto (Membership Secretary), David Smith (Editor, the Newsletter), and Susan Stewart. I am delighted to report that all are willing to continue on committee for a further year. Meetings have taken place every other month. Although numerically small, your Social and Communications group has been active in providing for the needs of the Society and its members.
The Society website is an increasingly important communication tool, as postage becomes ever more expensive, and more members are adept at using the web. It is our aim to maintain an up to date and attractive site that reflects all aspects of the Society’s activity.
Our bank of members’ email addresses has increased significantly this year enabling us to notify members of functions and send reminders more regularly and successfully than before. If you wish to be included in these mailings, please forward your address to guildsoc@hotmail.com.
The newsletter is produced twice a year….. next in August, then in November. Our third mailing is prior to the AGM. It is much more than a newsletter. Perhaps we should have a competition to find an more appropriate description of the revamped publication of which we are very proud.
Image is important. We have recognised the need to present our Society and the valuable work it undertakes more widely and professionally. With this, and membership in mind, we have produced the new promotional sheet. It has been well received and is being distributed in the public arena.
The established mix of visits and lectures seems to meet our members’ interests The events of the year have been notable for a variety of reasons. We are pleased to host the visit of Salisbury Civic Society following our visit to the City and cathedral last year. Martin Taplin organised our mystery visit to Dunsfold WW2 aerodrome. Its radical development plans were explained before we drove to the tranquility of Hascombe village church. A pub supper concluded an excellent evening. By way of contrast, the visit to the Royal Surrey hospital on a dark February evening called for a spirit of adventure… to beat the traffic, and find and pay for a car parking space. The stalwarts’ reward was disappointing, as principal speakers were unavailable at the appointed hour.
Attendance was at its maximum for the Christmas Social. Thanks to Professor Chris Blow and a contribution from Matthew Alexander for the entertainment. We were also grateful for the talk by Matthew on the history of the County Club where members enjoyed an excellent lunch in October.
Also contributing significantly to two events in the programme was Maurice Barham. The composition of his video footage of the Rodboro Building and people’s memories complemented the excellent talk by Roger Nicholas in the company of John Dennis at the Guildford Institute. Maurice also coordinated and organised the very successful Open Forum on Transport in Guildford at the Council Chambers.
The aim of our events programme is to engage our members and the wider public. Education and the dissemination of information are an important part of our remit.
David Bunting
Aug 2010Comments and suggestions are always welcome. Please send them to: social@guildfordsociety.co.uk by clicking this link.