Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on Tuesday 25th January 2022

Present: Robin Boucher, Yvonne Eaton, Adrian Mongredien, Robert Dilworth, Nev Bray, Sue /Brown.

  1. Chairman’s welcome
  2. Apologies for absence – Ian and Pat Scruton, Marion Wright, David Fill.
  3. Notes from meeting held on Zoom on 23rd February 2021. There were no matters arising but Robin mentioned Yvonne’s long service to the group, having been a founder member and secretary for the past 30 years. He presented her with a pair of crystal glasses as a mark of appreciation from the group.
  4. Chairman’s report
    • During the first half of 2021 we were constrained by Government restrictions on meetings, due to the Covid pandemic. Some of us met on Zoom while others felt unable to do so. In the autumn we were able to meet face-to-face once more. Despite the difficulties, the year was not without some achievements.
    • Following Yvonne Eaton’s retirement form the position of secretary, Sue Brown agreed to take on the role for the next couple of years. Thankyou, Sue, for undertaking this work.
    • While we were unable to meet, Sue Brown and Robert Dilworth worked on production of a list of baptisms and burials which now appears on the Group’s website. 3,286 entries are now available for visitors to examine.
    • In mid-June, I led a walk up Mill Street. The weather for the evening was beautiful and around thirty people turned out, which was close to the permitted attendance for an outdoor event at the time. The walk was well-received – the appearance of a peacock near the starting-point was clearly a good omen!
    • Meanwhile I had also started preparing a publication, based on oral interviews which our predecessors had undertaken from the late 1980’s onwards. Group members helped with proof-reading and supportive feedback and the Parish Council made a grant from its Solar Fund towards production costs. “A Way of Life That Has Gone” was published in December; the PVHG publicity machine rolled into action (thankyou Robert and Sue) and it was launched at a signing session in the Memorial Hall. At the time of writing over half of the print run of 100 copies has been sold.
    • Our autumn meetings included a session looking at the 1735 estate map of Packington and a very interesting presentation by Sue Brown on the Leeson family, prominent in Packington from the fifteenth to the eighteenth centuries. We concluded by starting to plan our contribution to the village’s Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebration to be held in June 2022.
    • Ian had been transcribing some of the wills and Robin would discuss with him the way to take this forward.
    • Robin also stated that whilst he was willing to stand as Chairman for the coming year he did not consider that he should continue holding the position for a long time.
  5. Treasurer’s report Yvonne reported that we had a balance of £673.43 in the bank. Income consisted of £105 in membership fees, sale of books £233 and £706 from the Solar Fund grant. Expenditure consisted of £72 for the hire of venue 35 from 2020 to date, and the payment to Context for the printing of “A Way of Life that has Gone” of £814.
  6. Election of officers for 2022
    • Chairman Robin Boucher
    • Vice-Chairman – to be decided by those present as and when the need occurs.
    • Secretary Sue Brown
    • Treasurer Yvonne Eaton
  7. Membership fees for 2022 would remain at £10 for individuals and £15 for couples. The meeting decided that potential new members could attend two meetings before being asked for a subscription.
  8. Dates of meetings for 2022 – Below is a list of proposed dates for meetings in 2022, following the pattern of previous years.
    • 25th January 2022 Tuesday
    • 22nd February
    • 22nd March
    • 26th April
    • 24th May
    • 2nd-5th June Platinum Jubilee Celebrations
    • 28th June
    • No meetings in July or August
    • 27th September
    • 25th October
    • 22nd November
    • No meeting in December
    • (24th January 2023 – Annual General Meeting)

The meeting closed at 8.20

Agenda for AGM Annual General Meeting

Tuesday 23rd February 2021

This postponed PVHG Annual General Meeting AGM is to be held virtually on Zoom while Pandemic restrictions persist. Details will be published – please contact chair Robin Boucher on 411638 if you don’t receive them by Monday 22nd February 2021

  1. Minutes of last year’s Annual General Meeting AGM held on 28th January 2020
  1. Chairman’s Report for 2020 available here
  1. Treasurer’s Report
  1. Election of officers for 2021

Chairman: Candidate Robin Boucher

Vice-Chairman: Vacancy

Secretary: Vacancy

Treasurer: Vacancy

Committee members:

  1. Membership fees for 2021: proposal to waive
  1. Dates and meeting arrangements for 2021

Minutes of our February 2020 Meeting

At Venue 35 – the Memorial Hall Meeting Room – on Tuesday 25th February 2020 at 7:30 pm

Present: Chairman Robin Boucher, Secretary & Treasurer Yvonne Eaton, 7 members

Apologies received:-  Pam Worthington, Andrew and Janice Sumnall.

Matters arising:- 

  • Sue had further information regarding the Packington Blind Horse, this has been forwarded to Janice, also a suggestion was made to change their spelling of Packington by using a y instead of i (Packyngton) or missing out the c (Pakington) in order for the Shire Horse Society to accept Packington as the stud name.  
  • No information has been received regarding the VE day celebrations, however Robin has emailed Chris Miles to say the group have sufficient material for a display.
  • With regard to the proposed History Walk down Mill Street, Robin reported he has drafted a script and proposed the walk take place on 30th June and will place an advert in Packington Post.  There was much discussion as to which direction the walk should go, up or down Mill Street, a final decision will be made at a later meeting as we need to know the meeting room is available to enable light refreshments to be served and to have a display of photographs etc.
  • Robin showed members a leaflet he has drafted for the Welcome Pack given to resident newcomers to Packington.  Robert reported that Becky Taylor would  like more information to be included in the Welcome Pack, therefore members agreed that Robin forward the leaflet to her.
  • The meeting moved on to read through the Packington History Adrian has written.  Robin praised Adrian for his perseverance in pursuing this task of producing the early history of Packington.  There was great interest and discussion on the latest draft which will be placed on the website.  Having read through the draft members thanked Adrian for his hard work on this very worthwhile project. 
  • Robert raised the question of the Roman Road from Chester to Leicester, Via Devana, which runs close to Packington but the exact route has yet to be established. When HS2 comes along with its construction (or destruction) machines could the group be involved? However professional archaeologists always keep a close eye on any large developments so members agreed – leave it to the professionals.
  • There is to be a dig in Ticknall during June if any member wishes to attend.
  • Adrian has Peter Cooper’s copy of the History of Packington Church and suggested it be placed on the website, members agreed.
  • The meeting closed at 9:40 pm.
  • The next meeting is Tuesday, 24th March at 7.30pm.

Minutes of our Meeting on 28 January 2020 (After our AGM)

At Venue 35 – the Memorial Hall Meeting Room – on Tuesday 28th January 2020 at about 8 pm

Present: Chairman Robin Boucher, Secretary & Treasurer Yvonne Eaton, 10 members, and 4 visitors

  • Robin had been approached by Peter Last to see if the History Group were interested in having the hand-written minute book of Packington WI during the period March 1994 through to September 2011 for the archive. The thick bound A4 book was produced, and members agreed it would be a useful addition.
  • Visitor Janice Sumnall described a problem she and Andrew Sumnall were having with the Shire Horse Society in registering their stud in the name of “Packington”, the reason being the Packington Blind Horse. She asked for the groups help in this matter. Sue told Janice she thought the farmer’s name where the Blind horse stood was Hood, but this needed to be researched.   After further discussion Robin read a letter he had drafted to give to Janice to forward to the Shire Horse Society before their AGM  in April, members agreed the letter should be sent.
  • Janice also mentioned  that it will be the 10th year they have opened their farm to the general public for “Farms Open Day“, a national event.  They have had as many as 2,000 visitors  at the event, and this year they want to make it special by displaying agricultural equipment past and present. Many other activities were planned, and she invited the history group to put on a display – the event takes place on Sunday 7th June.
  • The Parish Council have asked the history group to take part in VE Day 75th anniversary celebrations on 8th May, however details of the councils plans have yet to be decided.  Members agreed the group should take part but we need to search the archives to see if any Packington men were in the forces at that time.  The book the history group had previously produced entitled “Where were you in the war” may be of use.
  • Adrian’s history is progressing and now covers the period 0-1100 CE .  He is now almost ready to place this on the website in order that more can be added as time goes by and more historical evidence may emerge.
  • Digitising the oral histories was discussed. An estimate of the cost of this process needs to be acquired, an application to the Solar Fund could then be made.
  • Robin proposed he leads a walk down Mill Street and he has much information to hand – members agreed this should take place at the end of June, weather permitting.
  • Sue put in a request for any pottery pieces anyone finds on their premises.  On a similar quest, visitor Stephen Plummer asked whether PVHG could use metal-detecting equipment to scan the village environment, especially near footpaths, for historic artifacts, perhaps a “Packington Hoard” – he had discovered items dating back to early 1800s this way.
  • Sue also suggested encouraging members to transcribe wills and inventories from the 1600s onwards. Our members agreed this could begin at our March meeting as these documents give a clear insight as to how people lived.
  • Visitor Stephen Plummer encouraged the group to advertise, especially by putting a piece in the Packington Communications Group’s “Welcome Pack“, which is given to all newcomers in the village when they first arrive. Members were in agreement and Robin will proceed with this.  
  • The meeting ended at 9.40pm.
  • Our next PVHG meeting is Tuesday, 25th February at 7.30pm.

Minutes of our PVHG Annual General Meeting AGM on 28 January 2020

At Venue 35 – the Memorial Hall Meeting Room – on Tuesday 28th January 2020 at 7:30 pm

Present: Chairman Robin Boucher, Secretary & Treasurer Yvonne Eaton, 10 members, and 4 visitors

Apologies: No apologies received

Robin welcomed our four visitors. The minutes of the previous AGM were read, approved and signed. Matters arising:–   The hall insurance policy has not 2been checked with regard to key holding members entering the venue to withdraw any archive material at any time, this to be looked into.

Chairman’s report:- 

“2019 began on a positive note with the provision of a cupboard in Venue 35, the Memorial Hall Meeting Room, which was large enough to contain the group’s archive material.  During the year we have begun to sort through the material, though there is much more work to be done on this.  Group members have become more familiar with the size and scope of what we have.   

  • In February we heard from village resident Paula Dring about her researches into the life of Rev. Joseph Goadby who played a major part in the establishment of the Baptist denomination, both in Packington  and in the wider locality.   
  • In April we took part in an open evening at which Memorial Hall user groups displayed information about their activities to local residents.  This was valuable publicity for the group and led to prospective new members joining us. 
  • One of these, David Oakley, told us about soldiers of Packington who had fought in the wars against Napoleon. 
  • David also agreed to co-ordinate a project to collate a photographic record of Packington in 2019 – all group members contributed and the results are available on our website.   
  • In June I led a walk up Packington High Street, which was reasonably well attended despite the weather making its best efforts to frustrate us.  The walk was complemented with a display of photographs of the High Street over the last hundred years and more.   
  • Although we did not meet formally over the summer, we completed publication of the booklet “Gems from the Gilwiskaw” which Laura Cooper had drafted shortly before her death in 2017,.  From a print run of 100 copies, around a quarter have been sold at the time of compiling this report. 
  • We also put on a display of photographs and other relevant items as part of the village Open Gardens at the end of August.
  • In the autumn group member Sue Brown told us about her work on medieval Packington
  • Also in Autumn, Adrian Mongredien produced a draft document on the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings.  This led to wider discussion both at our meetings and via email about the origins and early history of our village.  

I believe this summary of activities reflects a Group which has become more firmly established over the year – it has been pleasing to see new faces at our meetings and we will continue to present an open and welcoming face to the village and the wider world. My personal thanks to everyone who has contributed to the Group’s work over the year – roll on 2020! “

Adoption of the chairman’s report proposed by Sue and seconded by Pam. All agreed.

Treasurer’s report:-

  • The group is in funds with the sum of £515.19 in the new Lloyds current account.
  • As members are aware we were forced to close the Nationwide Building Society account as they are no longer providing a savings service for small groups.
  • I must thank Robin for his help in opening the Lloyds account especially as 2 lots of applications needed in hard copy were not received by Lloyds head office, fortunately the third application was, it took from the beginning of December to 24th January to have a valid current account.
  • We still have books on hand, for sale and so far, 29 copies of “Gems from the Gilwiskaw” have been sold.

Adoption of treasurer’s report proposed by Sue and seconded by David. All agreed.

Election of Officers:

  • Chairman – Robin Boucher, proposed by Yvonne, seconded by Adrian. Carried
  • Vice Chair – Again to be left in abeyance.
  • Secretary/treasurer – Yvonne Eaton, proposed by Nev, seconded by Sue. Carried.
  • Committee members appointed –
    • Robin,
    • David Oakley,
    • Robert,
    • Yvonne, and
    • Diane (not present) if she agrees.

Any Other Business:-

The question of membership fees was agreed at £10 each and £15 per couple, as last year. Anyone attending 3 meetings is expected to pay, but any new members attending from September onwards, their membership fee would also cover the following year.

The meetings to be as previously, every fourth Tuesday of the month with the exception of July, August and December. Members agreed that these AGM Minutes be circulated again prior to the 2021 AGM. AGM closed!

Agenda for PVHG Annual General Meeting Tuesday 28th January 2020

Packington Memorial Hall Venue 35 on Tuesday 28th January 2020 at 7:30 pm

Agenda

  • Welcome and apologies for absence
  • Minutes of prior AGM held on 29th January 2019
  • Matters arising
  • Chairman’s Report
  • Treasurer’s Report
  • Election of Officers for 2020:
    • Chair
    • Vice-Chair
    • Secretary
    • Treasurer
    • Committee Members
  • Membership fees for 2020
  • Proposed meeting dates for 2020

Following completion of formal business, we will discuss possible activities for the coming year.

Proposed dates for PVHG meetings in 2020

Tuesdays at 7:30 pm in Memorial Hall Venue 35, unless otherwise arranged

  • 28th January 2020 – AGM Annual General Meeting
  • 25th February
  • 24th March
  • 28th April
  • 26th May
  • 23rd June
  • No meetings in July or August
  • 22nd September
  • 27th October
  • 24th November
  • No meeting in December 2020
  • 26th January 2021 – AGM Annual General Meeting

Minutes of our PVHG November 2019 meeting

At Venue 35 – the Memorial Hall Meeting Room – on Tuesday 26th November 2019 at 7:30 pm

Present: Chairman Robin Boucher and 10 members

Apologies: Stephen, Diane, and David O

Minutes of the previous (October) meeting were approved and signed.

Matters arising:  Following the Thomas Pestell film, Robin has received a publication from Wendy Freer entitled “Thomas Pestell, a 17C Vicar of Packington – Local History Resources“, which is available to members.

The question of the clubs finances was raised, following Nationwide closing all Treasurers Accounts at the end of 2019. 

Robin and Yvonne have applied for a current account at Lloyds Bank  and provided the account remains in credit, there are no bank charges.  Members were asked if they agree to this change – carried unanimously.

Robin invited Adrian to speak on his work of the history of Packington dating back over 2000 years. Adrian explained that when talking to his grandchildren history did not appear to rate highly as a subject so he felt it was important to record a history of Packington and surrounding areas for young people and subsequently their elders as the learning of history is vitally important. 

Adrian prepared a draft entitled “A history of Packington and the surrounding area from 0-1100AD” for each member to take home and read.

Following Adrian’s presentation there was much discussion regarding how best to present any historical works, whether digitally or published in the traditional way, much to discuss in future meeting.  Thanks go to Adrian for his hard work on the early days, but members agreed it was important to take his work forward to the 21C.

Sue reported she has digitised copies of the Court Rolls.

The meeting closed at 9.10pm.

The next meeting is our AGM on Tuesday, 28th January, 2020

Minutes of our PVHG October 2019 meeting

At Venue 35 – the Memorial Hall Meeting Room – on Tuesday 29th October 2019 at 7:30 pm

Present: Chairman Robin Boucher and 9 members

Apologies: Pam

Robin welcomed our three visitors.

Minutes of the previous (September) meeting were approved and signed.

Matters arising:  The film show was well attended and if any member wishes to see the Thomas Pestell film, Robin has a DVD which can be borrowed.

Mediaeval Packington

The main event of the evening was a talk by Sue on Medieval Packington. Sue has done extensive research, which included visits to the National Archives in Kew. 

During early times until the Dissolution of the Monasteries, Packington was in the patronage of Coventry Priory, which was founded by Leofric in 1043. 

Sue showed members maps of the layout of the village, and also the Packington extent of 1412.  

After questions and answers by Sue, Robin thanked her on behalf of members for a most interesting and informative evening.

The meeting closed at 9.35pm.
The next meeting is on Tuesday 26th November at 7.30pm.

Minutes of our PVHG May 2019 meeting

At Venue 35 – the Memorial Hall Meeting Room – on Tuesday 28th May 2019 at 7:30 pm

Present: Chairman Robin Boucher and 9 members:

  • Yvonne Eaton, Secretary & Treasurer
  • David Fill
  • David Oakley
  • Marion Wright
  • Nev Bray
  • Stephen Hallam
  • Pam Worthington
  • Robert Dilworth
  • Sue Brown

Apologies: Adrian Mongredien

Minutes of the previous meeting were approved and signed.

Matters arising:- 

Continue reading “Minutes of our PVHG May 2019 meeting”

May Meeting – Tuesday 28th May 2019

Just a reminder that the group will meet again on Tuesday 28th May 2019 at 7.30 pm in Venue 35, the Memorial Hall Meeting Room.

  • David Oakley has indicated that he will have some information about Packington’s soldier recruits in the early nineteenth century.
  • We will check progress on the Packington 2019 photo project, with some records already displayed here on the website
  • We can confirm preparations for the High St. Walk on 25th June.
  • If there is time left we will do some more work on the archive.

I will look forward to seeing you all again at the meeting.

Robin Boucher, Chair, PVHG