A Day Back at School in Sevenoaks

A Family History Day
incorporating the
Annual General Meeting
took place on
Saturday 12th April 2008
at
Sevenoaks School

Sevenoaks School

This year is the 30th anniversary of the Society and our Annual General Meeting was held on Saturday 12th April, at Sevenoaks School. This proved to be a most enjoyable day. Michael Gandy entertained us with a talk on Music Halls, enlivened with extracts from and explanations of many of the old cockney songs. The business part of the meeting was completed successfully and it was felt that it had been positive year for the Society. After an excellent lunch, there was the option of a visit to Knole House, or a workshop on reading old manuscripts. There were also a number of stalls to browse and buy books and other items of interest. Members from the three branches seldom meet and the day gave an opportunity to mix, make new friends and get to know who is who!

Programme

This was the programme for the day:

Time

Details

10.00am

Welcome and notices

10.15am

Michael Gandy gave us an entertaining talk on Music Halls. Michael is the author of numerous books, Fellow of the Society of Genealogists and a practising family historian for some 40 years. Music halls were a major source of entertainment for many of our ancestors, popular entertainment that was a part of life for many and that survived into the 20th century.

11.30am

Tea/coffee.

11.45am

Annual General Meeting

The AGM was attended by 111 members, the main items were as follows:		Members assembling in the Aisher Hall at Sevenoaks School for the 2008 AGM The AGM in progress
Minutes of the 29th AGM	Approved without comment.
Accounts	Presented by David Williams in the absence of a Treasurer.
Report of the Committee	A detailed report had already been circulated to members with the March 08 journal. A further Review of Society Activities and Achievements was circulated at the meeting.
Josephine Birchenough Bursary Award	Prizes were awarded in respect of recent journal articles: to Edwina Higgins (£40 prize); Gaynor Wingham (£30); also to Gerry Bonnick, Roger Howard and Margaret George (£10 each).
Honorary Members	Bob Woodward was made an honorary member in recognition of his services to the Society over several years (Projects Co-ordinator since 2003 and Treasurer 2000-07). 'Certificates of Thanks' were awared to Barbara Attwaters and Barbara Phillips in recognition of their roles in support of publications sales and the Society's presence at fairs and other events.
President & Vice Presidents	No changes.
Election of Society Committee	No changes for 2008-09 apart from the new appointment of Mel Collins as Publicity Officer. The Society still needs a Treasurer. For the current committee, see the Society Officers page.

12.45pm

Lunch

2.00pm

Members chose from the following:

A workshop on reading old manuscripts led by Jean Stirk. Jean is the Society President and is well known for her interest in papermakers. Jean has taught family history and also maintains the national Papermakers Index.
Various Stalls, including the Society bookstall.
Some members visited the historic Knole House which adjoins Sevenoaks School. It was the favourite house of Henry VIII, who forced Thomas Cranmer, the then Archbishop of Canterbury, to hand it over to him. Later it became the home of the Sackville family, Earls of Dorset. It is now administered by the National Trust.

4.00pm

Photo Gallery


Sevenoaks School	Deer in Knole Park

Knole House, inner courtyard	St Nicholas church, Sevenoaks