This year the AGM (7th January 2020) was well attended. A copy of the Minutes has gone out to all the members. Here are some of the key issues that were covered at the meeting:
- Peter was pleased to announce that the Committee decided at the beginning of the year to award Jenny Colquhoun and Brian Richardson Honorary Membership in recognition of all their efforts and hard work over the years.
- The Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice charity raffle at the Annual Exhibition raised £234.82 for the Brush with Art group. The prize was a framed painting by our President, Graham Scandrett. The Christmas raffle, organised by Jenny Colquhoun, raised another £94.00 for Phyllis Tuckwell.
- Sam Dauncey our Webmaster has done a wonderful job of keeping our website running but it is old technology and Sam now feels it is time for him to step down. A new website is being constructed by a sub-committee with the help of Olga Salgado and her partner. For the time being the old website remains online.
- The Society has purchased a Square Reader to take credit and debit card payments in the hope that this will facilitate sales of paintings at the Surrey Heath Show, Camfest and the Annual Exhibition. There is a 1.75% transaction fee. This will be a trial year and the fee will come out of the Society’s commission.
- The Surrey Heath Show will be on May 16th this year. FCSA will be in the marquee as usual but this year Camfest plan to be there too. They intend to have an Arts & Crafts exhibition and workshops. They hope to have about ten local arts and crafts groups taking part; the Girl Guides will sell tea and cakes again and it is planned to have local school choirs performing during the course of the day.
- Last year FCSA participated in Camfest for one day in Camberley Main Square where Les Patey and some students gave members of the public a chance to try some watercolour painting. Camfest also borrowed 33 of our display panels for the U3A exhibition that Ann Bullimore organised in the council offices which raised the princely sum of £400 for the Society.
- The Annual Exhibition this year will be held on 16th, 17th and 18th July in High Cross Church. At the AGM the title of the themed competition was put to a vote and it was decided it would be “WATER”.
- As well as the permanent exhibition of FCSA paintings at the Heritage Gallery, Lesley Kilner has arranged with the Museum for there to be a display in the front window from 24th October to 23rd December 2020. Members are encouraged to paint for the theme of “Woodlands”. It is an opportune time of year for Christmas presents and all work should be for sale.
- Late news – a possible new exhibition. Peter Tuitt has a meeting on February 13th with Camfest and Major Harry Stow at Frimley Army Cadet Centre, with the view to holding an exhibition on 20th June in the main hall, a very impressive building, which has been called a mini Sandhurst. Watch this space.