1. Present
Bernie Kemble (in the chair), Rod Lucas, Gill Lucas, Lars Sawyer, Beryl White, Martin Saul, Anne Henderson, Gay Weeden, Clare Smyl, Debbie Nichols, Pip Rolls, Lesley Crowther Smith, Charlie Crowther Smith, Franki Gray, Ian Jackson & Susan Murray.
2. Apologies for absence
Received from Jon Laws, Sharon Laws, Jean Saul & Gill Gibbins.
3. Minutes of the 2023 AGM
The minutes of the 2023 AGM minutes were accepted as a correct record.
Proposed: Lars Sawyer, Seconded: Martin Saul
4. Matters arising
There were no matters arising.
5. Chairman’s report
Bernie Kemble read out her report for the year:
Good evening, everyone.
Welcome to the Gage 2024 AGM, our first face -to-face meeting since Covid -19.
In taking over as Chair this year from Gay Weeden, I would like to say a big thank you to her for being the perfect role model and to the committee for all their support. I am very aware of the recent challenges the Gage has faced with the pandemic and the toll it took on the finances but also the great strides that have been taken to ensure our finances are now in good shape.
This has been achieved through fundraising and the brilliant productions that have been put on. We have continued to not only keep up our high standards but seen an increase in audiences’ numbers. It would be wonderful to continue the momentum to build a wider range of talent on stage and behind the scenes.
Let us start with the first of our achievements, that of our Spring production, Agatha Crusty, and the Village Hall Murders written by Derek Webb and directed by Lesley Crowther-Smith which was a tremendous success. We were pleased to introduce new acting members on stage. We also used for the first time our new payment card reader, so now tickets can be paid either by cash or card, as suits you best.
At the Walton May Pageant, we held a Tombola stall raising £185 and we were delighted and thankful to receive a donation of £450 from the Walton May Pageant committee. We thank all of you who donated bottles and sweets which have helped us increase our funds.
Our social events included the Gage summer lunch, and the ‘Twelfth’ Night meal, organised by Jon Laws where the food and company were superb.
A successful evening was held in September which began with a picnic supper followed by two quite different rehearsed play readings. Family and friends came to enjoy and support the Gage and it was a sociable and relaxed evening with time to chat whilst enjoying our supper and seeing two wonderful plays: Separate Tables (Table No 2) by Terence Rattigan, directed by Chris Slater; and Evolution, written and directed by Pip Rolls.
At last, our winter production in November made its debut! Molly’s Calling written and directed by Pip Rolls. It was intended to be performed in 2020 but the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown prevented it going ahead. For various reasons we waited until this time, and it was a great success. The second evening performance needed more seating to accommodate the audience queuing at the door for this world’s premiere.
We must not forget our poetry and prose evenings via Zoom which have become a particularly popular evening during winter when people are comfortably settled at home for the evening.
We are currently in full swing with rehearsals for the April production of ‘The Nightingales’ written by Peter Quilter and directed by Lesley Crowther-Smith. This is a funny and at times touching comedy set in the 1950’s, a different time from today but that era is being wonderfully recreated by its director and cast.
I would like to thank everyone who has given up their free time to get involved with the Gage whether it is on stage or off it. The actors, writers, directors and producers who have put on some amazing productions, but also the production team who always quietly and tirelessly work backstage and front of house – whether it be building sets, providing the publicity, props, costumes, lighting and sound or serving in the bars and selling tickets – we couldn’t put the shows on without you, and of course without the audience none of this would be possible!
I would like to give a special mention and thanks to Debbie Nichols who has stepped in to take the minutes for many of last year’s meetings. Since April 2023 we have had a vacancy for Secretary of the committee and a new one is yet to be found. Duties include helping the Chair produce the newsletter, preparing the meeting agendas, taking minutes on Zoom meetings, helping with events, and booking rehearsal and performance halls. If this interests you or any of your friends, please email friends@thegageplayers.co.uk
I would like to finish by looking to the future and the past. Back in May the son of a founder Gage member, Ivor Buckley visited the May Pageant and spotted the Gage stall with its display of past productions and programmes. He sent an interesting letter to say in 1950 his father co-directed with Dorothy Rae the Gage’s first ever play, The Chiltern Hundreds by Willim Douglas Home.
“My father would be so proud to know that you are still going, and with such a distinguished record. Long may you continue.”
Very apt words as looking forward to 2025 we will be celebrating our 75th anniversary!
Bernie
Chair, Gage Committee
6. Treasurer’s report
Rod Lucas’s financial account report and figures had been sent out to the committee prior to the AGM. He brought attention to the fact that it was a difficult year to report on due to some costs from 3 years ago being relevant to this financial year because the production they related to was delayed from then until this year. Rod also pointed out that the card payment machine we use does not have the functionality to identify between types of payment (tickets, bar, raffle, programmes) so an accurate figure for each of those could not be reported. It is not currently worth investing in a more expensive card machine.
The financial reports were approved.
Proposed: Ian Jackson, Seconded: Gay Weeden
7. Election of officers
Bernie was elected as Chair. Proposed by Rod Lucas and seconded by Martin Saul.
Rod Lucas was re-elected as Treasurer. Proposed by Bernie Kemble and seconded by Lars Sawyer.
The role of Secretary is still open, with no nominations put forward. A new secretary is being actively sought.
8. Election of committee
The current membership of the committee were all willing to serve another term, and were re-elected unanimously en bloc by those present.
As it is not a technical requirement that an auditor checks the accounts, Debbie Nichols has agreed to check the Gage accounts again next year. Proposed by Martin Saul, Seconded by Clare Smyl.
The committee comprises Bernie Kemble as Chairman, Gay Weeden, Gill Gibbins, Jon Laws, Gill Lucas, Rod Lucas, Martin Saul, Lars Sawyer, Clare Smyl , Anne Henderson and Beryl White. There is also an effective (unelected) sub-committee comprising Eileen Debski, Pip Rolls, Chris Slater and Lorraine Wheeler-Smith.
11. Any other business
Gill Lucas said that tickets for the Spring production could now be ordered.
Subs for membership are now due. This will be mentioned in the next newsletters.
There was no other business and the meeting was closed at 7:53pm with thanks from Bernie to all for coming.
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