July 1996

The President commenting on the Forster Dinner said he had enjoyed the food and the relaxed atmosphere at the Newton Pub, but was rather disappointed at there being only 14 members attending. The Secretary mentioned that a new deed box was needed to house the computer records which were presently with Tom Walton. The Treasurer said that the Club funds could be used for the purpose, which would mean an outlay of say £30.

May 1996

The vote re David Caine successful but unfortunately this was not the case re Peter Leach. Reg Stern kindly donated some books to the Club. Tom Walton advised that he had completed the transfer of the Club records on to disk and was thanked by the President and members for all the hard work he had put into this task. John Phillipson gave details of several possible venues for the “Forster” dinner and the proposed venue is the “Newton” in Dalton on the 11th of July if possible. Gordon Macgregor took charge of the Book sale and was in sparkling form, following his recent fishing trip to Kilmarnock where he had caught a Killer Shark and a King-sized Haddock.

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.

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.

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.

November 1994

Book sale conducted in the usual half yearly fashion by Gordon Macgregor. A letter from Dennis Reeve tendering his resignation was read out by the President. The Railway Hotel is changing hands but the new tenant is known to our President, who feels that we should be alright for our future meetings. We are definitely alright for the December meeting at the Railway, which will be on the 14th of December. A vote of thanks was given to John Phillipson re “Ladies Night” but it was felt that it could have been supported by a better attendance level.