2021 AGM Report

Friday 14^th May by Zoom

Our 21^st 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 4^th 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 31^st 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:

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.