April 1996

Momentous occasion when the President announced there would be no “Whip” for the drinks, saying he had been quietly stock-piling funds for some time for this purpose. Mr Phillipson and Mr Boddy have proposed Peter Leach and David Caine respectively for membership of the Club and the ballot will be next month. Mr Phillipson asked for some thoughts to be given as to where the “Forster” dinner be held in July and names put forward were The Fisherman’s, Stroke One, Village Inn and The Farmers at Newton.

March 1996

Letter received from Peter Leach enclosing a cheque for £13.50 and advising us that he is soon to return to this area permanently and expressing a wish to resume his membership of the Club, if possible. This was discussed by the President and members and it was decided that the Secretary should write to him advising that as and when he returned permanently he should approach us at a time when consideration would be given to his request.

February 1996

Atrocious weather conditions restricted the numbers at the “Simpson Dinner” to ten, but an enjoyable meal was had and the President thanked John Phillipson for arranging the evening. Although verbally resigning from the Book Club due to now working in Newcastle, no written form of resignation has been received from Peter Leach, despite having been approached twice in this connection. There was still £13.50 owing to Terry Braithwaite re the July 95 “Forster” dinner which had to be paid even though he failed to attend. The Secretary has been asked to write to him regarding this matter. In the interim the £13.50 has been paid to Terry from Club Funds.

December 1995

Mr Porter took the chair in the absence of Mr Taylor. Apologies for Mr Morgan and the President being noted. A letter to the President from Tom Walton was read out and this concerned the Register of Members and Minute Book for 1973 to 1990 which was missing from the Club’s records. He was wanting to know if any light could be thrown on this matter and if it was worth his while continuing his work of putting the Club records on computer. A further letter was read out by John Wood which had received from Mr Boddy in which he stated he had not seen the missing Register since he completed the list of members in 1992 and that it was not in his own deed box at the Bank. The Secretary said that since receiving the concise list of members from Mr Boddy he was advised the Register was with the records. No further light could be thrown on the matter and it was left that Mr Walton should decide over the next month whether to continue on his work or not. Mr Johnson is to make a dated record of members who joined or left the Club during the years 1973 to 1990 to see if this might helpful for Tom should he decide to continue his work. Formal meeting was closed and an excellent buffet was enjoyed by all present. The Club also received a lovely Christmas Card from mine hosts.

November 1995

Book sale conducted by John Wood in the absence of Gordon Macgregor, the total amount being raised was £49.50, which was only 10p less than the earlier Book sale in May. A vote of thanks given to John for a splendid effort. A further vote of thanks was given to John Phillipson and Terry Braithwaite for organising an enjoyable “Ladies Night” dinner.

October 1995

“Ladies Night” dinner to be held on the 9th of November at Chequers, Dalton, meet at 7.30 for 8.00pm. Tom Walton has kindly offered to enter the Book Club records on computer and it was agreed that the box containing the said records to be left with him until completion of this mammoth task. Tom has also produced new lists of members and their addresses together with new lists of Book Club rules. He would not accept any remuneration re this work and materials involved and the President expressed the Club members thanks and appreciation for the hard work done and to be done by Tom in connection with the records. December meeting to be held on the 20th and our Treasurer John Wood said the Club funds could stand the payment for an Xmas buffet on the night.

September 1995

The President welcomed Mr Dobson to the Club. The President then mentioned a letter and visit that Mr Boddy had received from a Mr Gavin of Ambleside who has written several articles and essays on the various types of lending Libraries in Cumbria. Mr Gavin was wanting to have sight of and read the lists of books and authors from the beginning of the Book Club to 1990. After some discussion among the members it was decided on a show of hands that when Mr Gavin contacts the Secretary he should be advised that considering his request covers some 135 years of books and our records are in the Bank vaults, it would seem to be an onerous task bearing in mind that these records must always be in the safe keeping of a Club member.

July 1995

Terry Braithwaite was unable to attend the meeting and sent a letter to the President regarding the “Forster Dinner” and enclosing £23.20 refunded by the owner of the Victoria Park Hotel. This is to be handed to members who attended the dinner at £1.45 each. Bill Morgan and Harry Miller declined to accept and kindly donated their refunds to Club funds. The dinner was a disappointment both in quality and service. Jim Gardner has put forward a Roland Dobson for proposed membership to the Club. It was felt by certain members that the correct procedure had not been followed, but rule 22 covering this matter has not been contravened.