2021 AGM Report
Friday 14th May by Zoom
Our 21st Annual General Meeting started as a Zoom meeting at 7pm with Jonathan Pegler acting as host to approximately 40 members. Before the serious business of the evening, we were randomly divided up in breakout rooms to meet people in groups of 4 or 5 to catch up and chat.
David Powell opened the formal part of the evening with apologies for absence, and approval of the Minutes of the 2020 AGM (with one correction!). As it would have been difficult to see a show of hands, Jonathan used a Zoom-based voting system, which allowed one vote per device (two people sharing a screen only had one vote).
David then gave the Chairman’s Report for 2020/21, saying that little did we think that when we had to hold the AGM by Zoom last year, we would be doing the same in 2021. In 2020/21 we had to cancel the Summer Lunch, but were able to hold a Golf Day in September. We also held virtual events for the Christmas Drinks, the Quiz Evening and our St David’s Day celebrations – which was a shame since we had such a good speaker in Dr Rowan Williams.
Under the eased Covid restrictions in April, Gwyndaf and Janet John were able to organise a Spring Walk to view the bluebells in Hedgerley.
David added that it is a pity that this year’s AGM is only a virtual one, as it marks 21 years since Ann Evans established the Society and proposed a vote of thanks to Ann. He then went on to give thanks to the Committee members for their work over the last year, and especially to Peter Chapman, who is now standing down as Treasurer after moving to Brecon.
Covid permitting, the Committee plans to hold a Summer Lunch on 4th July, courtesy of Peter and Beth Sykes-Johnston, a Christmas Drinks party courtesy of Ralph and Margaret Broomby, the Golf Day and hopefully another event in the Autumn.
Membership numbers have fallen slightly from 119 to 114, with one new member – Ruth Huckle.
Peter Chapman then gave his final Treasurer’s Report, a very short one. Our balance as of 31st March was £3239.06. The report was accepted by a Zoom vote.
It then came to the election of the Committee. Jonathan Pegler has taken on the duties as Treasurer pro-temp. We also have a new Committee Member to welcome – Dr Barrie Reece.
A single unanimous vote was taken for the committee and the results are as below:
| Position | Name |
| Chairman | Colin Picton |
| Minutes Secretary | Merle Davies |
| Treasurer | Jonathan Pegler |
| Membership Secretary | Ann Lawrence |
| Secretary | Gwyndaf John |
| Committee Members: | Barrie Reece |
| Kay Day | |
| David Powell |
David then handed the meeting over to Colin Picton, as our new Chairman.
Colin thanked David for his chairmanship over the past 3 years and went on to introduce our speaker – Neil Rees, an IT professional who is also a keen amateur historian and writes for the Bucks Free Press and has some fascinating facts about Aneurin Bevan.
Aneurin Bevan – Welshman, Founder of the NHS and Chesham Resident
Aneurin “Nye” Bevan was born in 1897 in Tredegar in south Wales, growing up in a coal mining community. Elected as Labour MP for Ebbw Vale in 1928 and serving as Minister of Health in Atlee’s post-war Labour Government, Nye is considered the architect of the National Health Service, which started on 5th July 1948 and was inspired by the model of the Tredegar Medical Aid Society. The NHS was born out of the ideal that good healthcare should be available to all, regardless of wealth.
Nye Bevan and his wife, the MP Miss Jenny Lee, lived in Chelsea until 1954. However, Nye wanted a home near London, but in the country. He was told about Asheridge Farm, near Chesham, which was on the market and he bought it for £9,000.
The old farmhouse came with just over 50 acres, plus farm buildings, and 2 cottages. The farm manager and cowman were kept on, together with the herd of Guernsey cows and 60 hens. Nye became an enthusiastic farmer. He built up the herd to 60 cattle, and also started to keep pigs.
Nye and Jennie were very social, joined in local life, and shopped in Chesham. He used to visit the Blue Ball pub in Asheridge where he was friendly with the landlord and with many of the regulars.
Still working a couple of days a week in London, Nye would catch the train to London from Chesham Station.
In 1960 Nye fell severely ill and was later diagnosed as having stomach cancer. He died on 6th July 1960 at his home aged only 62. Bevan’s death led to an outpouring of national mourning, and there were memorial services to him both in Wales and at Westminster Abbey.
Jennie Lee did not share her husband’s interest in farming. In 1961 she rented out the land at the farm, but continued to live at the farmhouse until 1968, when she moved back to London.
In 1964 Jennie was appointed Minister for the Arts in Harold Wilson’s government playing a key role in establishing the Open University. In November 1970 she was made Baroness Lee of Asheridge, and continued to work from the House of Lords. She died in 1988 aged 84.
Our Chairman, David Powell got off to a good start (this being his first year as Chairman and hence his first chairing of the AGM) by welcoming us all. In particular Thelma and John Lusher who had traveled all the way from the New Forest. The reports for the year were encouraging; membership strong at one hundred and sixteen; finances in good shape; two new members of the committee have volunteered their services – Merle Davies and Peter Chapman; and there has been strong support for all the events over the year. Particular thanks were directed towards Graham Beavan on his retirement after a long tenure as Treasurer.
by a meal. The caterer was Anne Tennant who clearly knows exactly what the members of the CDWS enjoy, and on this occasion was like a human dynamo. The rest of her team were at an event catering for the mayor of Beaconsfield so Anne was chief cook and bottle washer and everything in between. Well done Anne! The choice of desserts was particularly appreciated. Bread and Butter pudding and custard, Chocolate mousse, cheese and biscuits, Fruit Pavlova and I spotted a fruit salad for someone dairy intolerant. The gentlemen on our table made a bee-line for the Bread and Butter pudding, and then when Anne explained that she really didn’t want to take anything home, they were happily also tucking into Pavlova. No doubt belts were loosened.
After the meal came the entertainment. This year it was the place of Bertie Pearce whose web site says that he “…brings wonder and laughter to your event”. We were not disappointed on either count. The theme was “Now you See it-Now you Don’t, The Art of Visual Deception”. This was a whistle-stop tour through Surrealism, Trompe L’eoil, Ambiguous Imagery, Optical Art and Camouflage. Fascinating, thought provoking, puzzling, entertaining, amusing and all delivered at a pace that kept you on your toes, engaged and surprised. A particular ripple of amusement occurred when Bertie said that in America artists had used illusionary methods to paint potholes on the road which appeared to be 3D in order to reduce speeding. Here in Buckinghamshire we have no need for artists’ illusions. We have the real thing.
future event to offer magical entertainment?
Jonathan Pegler welcomed everyone to the meeting, including 10 new members. The Press coverage has been excellent this year, and the society is thriving with healthy finances. Jonathan continued and reviewed the various events throughout the year.
Kay Day welcomed everyone in both English and Welsh and proposed Jonathan Pegler as vice Chairman.
Chicken Curry & Rice or Beef Stew, followed by a wide choice of desserts including profiteroles, rhubarb fool, raspberry brule, ginger meringue, white chocolate cake and cheese and biscuits.
Well, we’ve had a very successful six months. We’ve welcomed yet more new members: we’ve held a diverse range of events, all of which have been well attended and enjoyed.
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