The Society of Bexhill Museums Ltd

Present board members: Stella Bellem (chairman), John Betts, Peter Fairhurst, Christine O'Grady and Peter Mills plus Julian Porter (RDC chief curator), Karin Malley (minutes), Megan Traice (honorary president) and 74 members.

The chairman advised that copies of the Annual Report and of the Audited Accounts for 2007/2008 had been previously circulated to all members. There were no questions or queries from the floor and both documents were unanimously approved by the members.

The next item on the agenda was the election of Directors. Three vacancies had occurred with the resignations of Pauline Bullock, Victoria Williams and Sheila Hayes. One nomination had been received for Sarah White. The nominee was proposed by Stella Bellem and seconded by Peter Fairhurst. The appointment was unanimously approved by the members. It was agreed that the other two vacancies will be filled by co-option.

The board recommended the re-appointment of Michael Glynn of Gibbons & Mannington as Auditor, to which members unanimously agreed.

Then followed a report in two parts on the 'Museums Renaissance in Bexhill Development Project' Firstly, Julian Porter advised that work on the extension to Bexhill Museum was progressing well with the installation of the metal cladding starting on October 13. The interior works were almost complete and it was hoped that the building would be in the society's control by the year end. At that time the fitting out of the two new galleries would start together with the other facilities. The curator suggested that a 'soft' opening could take place about the end of April 2009 with the official opening by the society's patron, Eddie Izzard soon after.

John Betts, head of fundraising then brought members up to date with the funding situation by noting that 12,600 had been recently received from the winding up of the ABC.

He explained that the society had more than fulfilled its obligation in the amount that it was contracted to contribute to the project and thanked all members for their financial support through the various Society events. However, due to inflation more money was required to furnish the galleries to the standard expected by residents and visitors alike so fundraising continues.

As there was no other business the chairman closed the meeting.

After a refreshment break Stella Bellem gave an illustrated presentation entitled 'Musing on Museums' describing her career working in and about museums.

Please note the society's next three events: October 22, lecture by Geoffrey Mead entitled Scattered Squalor; October 25, Guided Walk 'Stepping Out to Find Lowther's Lambs' and October 28: Lunch Outing to the Coastguard Tea Rooms at Fairlight.