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Wednesday 26 September 2012

BWTAS AGM report

photo: Brian Light

Eighteen or so souls came to the BWTAS 2012 annual general meeting at 7:30 pm on Monday 24th September 2012 at the Charing Cross Centre. There were several members of the public and they must have been impressed as BWTAS acquired three new members from the event.

Wil Harvey gave the chairman's report about our successful events of the previous 2011 - 2012 and outlined the plans for events in 2013, all of which depend on other people than the committee getting involved in organising them. There will be another art show in 2013 as these have been very successful with water tower enthusiasts and the public.

Nat Bocking gave a membership report; the membership is closing fast on reaching 200 (until the paper and digital records are conformed we won't have the exact number) and the minutes of previous AGM were read and accepted. The BWTAS blog has had over 85000 page views to date and this report takes it to 200 posts. BWTAS has had a lot of paper correspondence from potential and current tower owners looking for information, architecture and design students, town planners considering potential developments and TV companies producing home restoration shows and 'Have I Got News For You'.

Andy Norris gave the treasurer's report; BWTAS funds grew modestly but encouragingly thanks to the runaway success of our mug and calendar sales. We have standing orders for their next editions.

The committee of Ferrers Young, Wil Harvey, Nat Bocking, Andy Norris, Brian Light and Clare Johnson stood down as committee members but as there were no nominations or other candidates, all the incumbents were unanimously re-elected for another term.

Wil Harvey - Chairman
Nat Bocking - Secretary
Andy Norris - Treasurer
Ferrers Young - Archives
Brian Light - without portfolio
Clare Johnson - without portfolio

The accounts and correspondence were left open for examination. There was no other business or questions from the floor so the Annual General Meeting was closed at 8PM.

Brian Light of the Balkerne Tower Trust then gave an update on developments at Jumbo.

Prior to the AGM, Ferrers Young - who is also a member of NIAS - had given a very brief but detailed tour of Norwich water history in the immediate vicinity of the meeting which began at the excellent White Lion pub. With that context, he then continued his tour virtually around the water towers of Norfolk. The fascinating lecture was also enlivened by the contributions of Brian Carr, a water tower engineer who had worked on some of the modern towers and provided interesting information that we hope we can post here in time. It is through this kind of dialogue that we can uncover the vast water tower history which is not held in national archives.

A member kindly sent us this review:

...the real star was Ferrers, for choosing the perfect pub to meet in, for showing us all those water-related historical features (pity about the lack of daylight, but great opportunity for him to demonstrate his interplanetary laser pointer), and then for showing us so many water towers in his perfectly-prepared and perfectly-presented lecture. Thanks for giving us such a special evening.



Wednesday 5 September 2012

AGM & Virtual tour of North Norfolk's water towers

BWTAS' next meeting will be held in Norwich, in the "Stanley Cooper Hall" at the Charing Cross Centre, 17-19 St. John Maddermarket, Norwich, NR2 1DN at 19:30 (7:30 pm) on Monday, 24th September 2012. Following the brief formalities, there will be a virtual tour around North Norfolk's water towers, including photographs of several that are no longer standing. Many that you will not have seen and that will not be published due to security or copyright.

Prior to the AGM, a perambulation of just less than half a mile, taking in several water supply features and other historic gems, has been arranged. This will depart from the White Lion public house, 73 Oak Street, Norwich, NR3 3AQ at 19:00 (7:00 pm) and end at the Charing Cross Centre, for the AGM and virtual tour.

There is some free street car parking near to both the White Lion and the Charing Cross Centre from 18:30 onwards. Alternatively there is St. Andrew’s multi-storey Car Park in Duke Street, NR3 3AT - £1.40 per hour and £1.70 for any period after 18:30. This is close to the Charing Cross Centre and not far from the White Lion.

We hope to see as many of you as possible at the AGM, and hope that you feel that a trip to Norwich is worth it. Norwich is a historic city with lots to see - it could be worth making it a long weekend! If you require further information, please contact us at: bwtas 'at sign' hotmail.co.uk .

Ferrers