2023 Annual General Meeting and Hot Pot Supper
The 72nd (Recorded) Annual General Meeting at West Lancashire Golf Club on 17th November 2023
Chairmans' Welcome
There were 50 members and guests for a slightly earlier start than usual for the 2023 Annual General Meeting and Hot Pot Supper at our
usual venue, the West Lancs Golf Club. 50 members and guests were given a warm welcome by the Chairman Frank Mahon who
acknowledged the long-distance travellers Graham Wilcock (Bedfordshire), Dave Tregidgo (Morecambe) and Walter Fung (Manchester),
thanking them for making the effort to attend. Apologies for absence were announced from the following: Alan Murch, John Levitt, Ian Lowe,
Harry Pitt, Arthur Thomas, Harry Summerfield, Roy Edwards, Neville Black, Alan Dixon, Rob Young and Eddie Walsh.
Bill Morris proposed that the minutes of the last AGM held on 18th November 2022 be taken ‘as read’, this was seconded by John Birchall
and unanimously agreed. There were no matters arising.
Annual reports were given by the President (David Bradbury), Chairman (Frank Mahon) and Treasurer (Andrew Wilson) who presented the Statement of Accounts for the year ending 31st August 2023. The Golf Secretary (Alan Murch) was not present but had reported by email that this year’s Annual George Vernon Golf Competition due to take place on 20th October had to be cancelled as the course at West Lancs Golf Club was closed because of the severe wet weather. This was most unusual as the course has excellent drainage. It is hoped to rearrange the event for the Spring.
Election of Secretariat and Committee
The President thanked the Chairman and the Committee for their work during the last year, and to everyone who had helped him personally over the last few years, firstly as Chairman and later as elected President. Special recognition was paid to Neville Black for his years of dedicated service to the Association but who, unfortunately has had to retire from the Committee for reasons of health and mobility.
The present Secretariat and members of the Committee were all re-elected for the coming year. Nominations were invited to fill the vacancy created by Neville Black, and for the post of Magazine Editor which is becoming a matter of some urgency if the publication is to continue, disappointingly none were forthcoming for either position.
He advised that a magazine issue is planned for Spring next year and any contributions are welcome such as personal histories since leaving school, interesting/amusing incidents at school, reflections, good or bad, on masters, sports memories and that any material should be forwarded to the Magazine Editor via: Email old.bootleians@gmail.com or Tel: 07484 306826.
Referring to the Docklands Trail Charity, this continues to thrive under the leadership of Les Ellis and a group of volunteers plus three relatively new trustees, meeting on a monthly basis at the Collingwood Dock site. Harvey Dodgson later gave a further update on the DTC, recapping on its foundation and development, ending with an appeal for more volunteers to help take the project forward with its plans for expansion.
Any other business
A proposal for the Association’s Annual Reunion Dinner to be held on alternate years as a lunchtime or evening event was put to a vote of members present, resulting in a majority not being in favour of this. Peter Booth then proposed that the Annual Dinner revert to its normal evening function time, the majority indicating by a show of hands their preference for this. The Chairman undertook to bring the subject up again at the Annual Dinner in April. There were no other items of other business from the floor.
The Chairman then announced the date of the next Annual Reunion Dinner: Friday 19th April 2024. Grace was said by the President before the Hot Pot meal was served.
The following Obituaries were announced by the Chairman before making the usual Toast to ‘Absent Friends’: Keith Anderson (Hon.), Paul Gray (1971), Tom Head-Rapson (1958), Jim Pendleton (1945), Eric Rice (1961) and Stan Warren (1951).
Our total membership now stands at 302 according to current listings, the sad deaths of Canon Albert Radcliffe BD and Fred Lowe being notified subsequently (December).
The Chairman then welcomed our invited Guest Speaker Spencer Leigh, renowned music journalist and author who had spent 35 years with BBC Radio Merseyside presenting his show ‘On The Beat’. Spencer gave an absorbing and interesting talk recounting some of his numerous interviews with musicians and bands of the Merseybeat era including the Beatles, Searchers, the Temptations, Russ Conway and others, these sometimes taking place in some very odd places! His latest book ‘The Road to Love Me Do’ (Spencer Leigh/Mike Jones) is available now and a follow up publication on Little Richard will be out on December 2nd. He recalled how the Beatles were strongly influenced by Little Richard in their early days. A lively Q&A session followed Spencer’s address, after which he was presented with an Association tie and lapel badge with grateful thanks for his attendance
The proceedings were closed with the Chairman thanking the Golf Club staff for their efficient service and inviting members and guests to retire to the lounge bar for the rest of the evening.
Geoff Lloyd, Meetings Secretary
