UNAPPROVED AGM MINUTES - 2026

PRESENT:  38 members were present.  The meeting was chaired by Chris Riddle as Chairman of the Society.

1.  APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies had been received from 12 members.

2.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The minutes of the AGM held on 5th April 2025 were APPROVED as a correct record.

3.  REPORT FROM THE CHAIRMAN AND OFFICERS

The Chairman presented a report on behalf of the officers and himself, the following summarising the main points:

• During the year, two excellent meetings had been held.  Kate Cadman and Allan & Thelma Smith were thanked for looking after the domestic arrangements for these.
• The Society had published four high quality newsletters during the year, including a special edition celebrating the 250th anniversary of the manufactory.  Roger Thornhill and his son David were thanked for producing and publishing these.
• With the rising costs of paper, printing and especially postage, it was regretted that it was no longer viable to produce four editions of the newsletter each year without increasing subscriptions again.  The committee had therefore decided that, rather than doing this, it would be better to reduce the number of editions to three per year.
• As well as a special edition of the newsletter, the 250th anniversary had been celebrated with the production of a commemorative mug designed by Kate Cadman and a new sign at the entrance to the Brierley Gallery produced by Simon Bailey.  Both were thanked for their efforts.
• The main celebration of the anniversary would be the publication by the Society of its second book Caughley Overglaze Patterns, written by Chris Brown and edited by Roger Thornhill.  Four years in preparation, it would be a complementary volume to the blue and white book but, with 416 pages and 702 photographs, would be 60% thicker.
• The editor of the book had also identified potential sources of funding and raised sufficient to cover the full costs of production including photography, design and printing.  These were from Society reserves (largely from sales of the blue and white book); from donations from grant-making trusts, especially Ceramica-Stiftung in Switzerland who had pledged a significant donation; from the sale of pre-orders; and from generous personal donations from two members.
• It was hoped that the book would be published by the end of July 2026.  The cover price would be £85, but there was still an opportunity to pre-order at the reduced price of £70.
• Chris Brown and Roger Thornhill were thanked for their huge input and commitment to producing the book.
• As the Treasurer would report, the Society's finances had been affected by the costs of the book, but as sales were made this situation would be reversed.  Thelma Smith was thanked for her role as Treasurer.
• John Benbow was thanked for examining the accounts for 2025 and ensuring best practice.
• Current membership of the Society was 86 households, a drop since last year.  Ivor Smith was thanked as Membership Secretary.
• All officers and committee members were thanked for their help in running the Society.  It was noted that there was a vacancy for a committee member and anyone interested was encouraged to speak to any officer or committee member.
• Members were thanked for being part of the Society and for their contribution to it.
• Kate Cadman was thanked for her help and support to the Society and its members throughout the year.
• Finally, a resumé of the transfer of responsibility from Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust to the National Trust was given, and of a positive meeting held by the Chairman and Secretary with a representative from the National Trust.  The latter was very supportive of the Society and it was unlikely that the activities of the Society would be affected by the transfer.

A member of the Society thanked Chris Riddle for his chairmanship and other roles that he undertook.

4.  ACCOUNTS FOR 2025

The income and expenditure accounts for the year ending 31st December 2025, which were available at the meeting, were presented by the Treasurer, Thelma Smith.  In line with Rule 23, these had been examined by John Benbow.  As the Chairman had reported, a significant portion of reserves had been allocated to the book.  These were expected to be progressively replaced by sales income once the book had been published.

It was AGREED that the accounts as presented be adopted.

5.  SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR 2027

It was AGREED that there be no change to subscriptions for 2027 i.e. they would stay at £30 per household in the UK (£32 if paying by PayPal); and £35 overseas (£40 if paying by PayPal).

6.  ARRANGEMENTS FOR EXAMINING THE ACCOUNTS FOR 2026

It was AGREED that the accounts for 2026 be examined by John Benbow.

7.  ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS FOR 2026/27

The following elections were AGREED:

Chairman - Chris Riddle
Secretary - Roger Thornhill
Treasurer - Thelma Smith
Archivist and Librarian - Jonathan Stubbs
Meetings Organiser - Chris Riddle
Membership Secretary - Ivor Smith
Newsletter Distribution - Chris Riddle
Newsletter Editor - Roger Thornhill
Press & Publicity Officer - Olly Cartwright
Programme Secretary - Chris Riddle
Committee Members - Simon Bailey, David Byrne, Liz Dawes, Tim Dawes, Andrew Stevens