2023 AGM at Bentwaters

​This year’s AGM took place at the Power of the Past collection at Bentwaters in Suffolk, by kind permission of Bill Kemball. 
Following the minute’s silence at 11am for Armistice Day, the meeting progressed with little controversy.  President Jonathan Wheeler was pleased to announce good progress on our video archive project, and Chairman Stuart Hines announced that two grants have been made from our Heritage Fund this year, to Bressingham Steam Museum and the Charles Burrell Museum to be allocated to specific restoration purposes. Both also reflected on a successful Crank Up, with thanks to those involved in organising it. Our Membership Secretary Robert Pumfrey informed us that he has now been in post for fifty years, and was able to confirm that membership numbers remained static over the course of the year, which is reassuring in these uncertain times.
There have been some personnel changes, with Verity Percival standing down as Vice Chair and Terry Taberer relinquishing the role of Sales Officer, although both are happily remaining as trustees and committee members, so we thank them for all they have done and will continue to do for the Society.
Our webmaster Kate Plant has stepped up to take on the Vice Chair position. The Sales position is currently vacant, and we welcome any enquiries from anybody who may be interested in the role. Terry and the other committee members will be on hand to support anybody who comes forward.

The meeting was followed by the usual awarding of trophies. 
The Ben Taylor Trophy went to Terry Taberer in recognition of his many years as Sales Officer while the Ladies’ Salver went to Verity Percival, again for committee service.  
The Arthur Clarke Shield was presented to Adam Jerrold for his help with threshing and engine driving throughout the region. 
The Fensom Trophy was given to Murray Hearn for his work restoring his Marshall tractor over a period of 43 years!  More details on this restoration will feature in the next Steam Preservation. 
The Ted Moore Trophy went to Kate Plant for her work running Weeting Rally as well as all the work she does for the Society, including as our webmaster.
David Gowlett received the Silver Salver for his Fowler living van and for assisting with the Taylor Bros. commemoration at the Crank Up.  The Model Makers’ Shield went to Phil Sanders for his Fowler showman’s engine, and the two Challenge Cups went to Bill Starling for his work supporting Forncett Industrial Steam Museum, and Keith Honour for restoring his Ransomes portable.
Last but by no means least, Life Membership was presented to Alan Hines in recognition of a lifetime’s involvement in steam, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather.

Following tea and sandwiches, we were free to explore Bill’s wonderfully diverse collection of tractors, vehicles, steam engines and all kinds of memorabilia from war to fashion and everything in between, and to enjoy the sight of three portable engines at work.  A big thank you to Bill, his family and helpers, and those who steamed engines for our visit.
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