Studland United Nudists' first AGM - 1996 Report (digest)
Our first AGM was held it the Holmcroft Hotel, Bournemouth on 2nd November. Twenty
eight members attended and a further forty five lodged proxies before the
meeting.
The Chairman, Mike Peterson, welcomed members and reviewed briefly the
events of SUN's first year, stressing the benefit to the local economy of having
such a high profile attraction. He paid tribute to the effort of SUN members to
protect and promote Studland's nudist area.
The Treasurer, Sue Dangerfield, gave a brief financial statement which
showed a good balance in the bank and nearly £200 worth of stock for resale.
That the Articles of Management and Purpose be
amended
An amendment to the Articles of Management and Purpose, to extend to the
Group's Trustees the same 'will and pleasure' status currently accorded the
Treasurer and Secretary, was debated briefly before being put to the vote and CARRIED.
There being no other nominations, Mike Peterson was re-elected as
Chairman for 1997. Mark Nisbet, Chris Phillips, Gill Williams and Reg
Chapman were elected as Representatives for 1997.
That SUN Group Ltd be established
A proposition to establish a limited company, to be known as 'S.U.N. Group
Ltd.' (provided that name is available) was subject to considerable debate and
on being put to the vote was CARRIED by 67 votes to 2, including proxies,
with six abstentions. (Note: The formalities to put this decision into effect
are currently under way, the putative Directors being Mike Peterson and Mark
Nisbet, and the Company Secretary Sue Dangerfield.)
That meetings should be in the Holmcroft Hotel and
the Baker's Arms
Letters were read from Ken Tullett, Barry and Marianne Grant
about the non-smoking status of the Holmcroft Hotel.
The hotel's proprietor, SUN member Barrie Andrews, assured the meeting
that his decision to institute this status had been made in response to the
concerns of his guests. It was not feasible to set aside a smoking area inside
the building as this would invalidate his current insurance. In reply to a
number of questions, it was confirmed that the use of this venue for the AGM was
a one-off, and that the regular monthly Noggin'n'Natter meetings would continue
to be held at the Baker's Arms in Bournemouth, not least because our advertising
campaign, now nationwide, specified that as a regular venue. After considerable
discussion, a proposition that the Holmcroft should be the first choice for AGMs
and other special occasions and that the Board should continue to consider other
venues, which should suit a majority of members, for the Noggin'n'Natter
meetings was CARRIED.
That SUN should write to CCBN, calling on them to
withdraw their deeply flawed 'agreement' with the National Trust
There was considerable discussion about SUN's relations with the National
Trust. It was
confirmed that, because the matter had been decided behind closed doors, there
had been no representations to the National Trust or CCBN before the restrictions were
imposed. Put bluntly, we knew nothing about it, and we had the National Trust's own
admission that they had contacted only about a dozen people before arriving at
their decision, and they had been unable - or unwilling - to explain why they
had not contacted current SUN members whose names were on record from previous
contacts. It was evident that the National Trust were interested in talking only with people
who shared their preconceptions, and the most recent letter we had received from
them indicated that they wished to freeze us out of the discussion process. The
National Trust and CCBN appear to be looking at a national strategy of restrictions, with
Studland as the testing ground. SUN, on the other hand, is concentrating on this
local issue, and would only become involved with other, similar groups on a
national level insofar as our advice, and the benefit of our experience, might
be of assistance to then. A proposition that SUN should write to CCBN, calling
on them to withdraw their deeply flawed 'agreement' with the National Trust was CARRIED.
The letter and Counsel's
Opinion, recently received from the National Council for Civil Liberties, were
read to the meeting. It was widely agreed that in many ways the Opinion was
supportive of our position, and it was agreed that it would be included in the
next Update. (See below.)
That a definitive statement of nudists' rights be
produced
In response to a question from the floor, it was advised that the Board is
looking into the possibility of producing a definitive statement of nudists'
rights, following legal consultation, and that it was hoped to issue this statement
of rights to all members, possibly on a laminated card. It was suggested that
all SUN members might complain to the National Trust about the restrictions, and it was
agreed to include the names and addresses of
National Trust area managers in the next
Update.
After thanking all members for attending, the Chairman closed the meeting at
11pm.
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