AGM 2007

The 34th Annual General Meeting was held at the Salvation Army Citadel, Psalter Lane, at 7.30pm on Wednesday 16th May 2007. The meeting was chaired by Chris Venables and over 50 people were present. The meeting was preceded by a finger buffet and display of old photos and documents relating to Nether Edge.

Sheffield Archives and Local Studies

Before the official business, Mike Spick gave an illustrated talk outlining the services provided by the Sheffield Archives and Local Studies library.

The Archives moved to the ex-Kennings showroom in Shoreham Street in 1989 and stores original documents in a fireproof, temperature and humidity controlled strong room. All items are indexed and include historic documents eg a 1296 market charter granted to Sheffield by Edward 1, maps, plans, school, police and hospital admission records, parish registers and company records and pattern books. Most items have been deposited free of charge but a few have been bought eg the Beauchief Abbey land charters.

In contrast the Local Studies collection which opened in 1934 is housed in the main Surrey Street library. Its collection includes books, pamphlets, trade directories (from 1774), newspapers (from 1760), journals, maps, phonebooks, images and photos – and also copies of Edge!

 Chairman's Report

Chris Venables thanked all who contributed in various ways to the work of NENG including the committee for kindly providing the finger buffet for the AGM. She introduced Stella Mekonnen, the new Area Panel Co-ordinator, to the meeting, and also Ali Qadar, one of the local Councillors. She referred to some of NENG’s activities, including knitting blanket squares and planting bulbs for Make a Difference Day, hopes for a recycling point near Jacksons store, and the start of a petition to provide a pedestrian crossing on Psalter Lane. In Chelsea Park there were plans to replace the damaged wooden railings around the play area with metal ones and to improve the top entrance. Funding had been identified by the Parks Department, but was still awaited. Thildy Lowe was then invited to speak on her desire to run a regular home grown produce market, and Tanwir Rauf spoke on the open days to be held at the Abbeydale Picture House.

Secretary's Report

Michael Miller referred members to his report already published in the May Edge. After 3 years in office, as required by the Constitution, he was standing down; a new Secretary is still sought. He emphasised that whilst there is a steady trickle of new members there is also a continuing attrition, and urged members to use the freely available NENG flyers to recruit non-members.

During the year, ten issues of Edge have been edited and designed by Committee members, and delivered by volunteers from amongst the NENG membership. The contents depend on a regular flow of items from NENG members and Nether Edge residents.

Treasurer and Membership Secretary's Report

Elaine Bird presented the accounts, which were accepted by the meeting. She outlined the donations made to local organisations and events including refurbishment of the Lantern Theatre seating, the Christmas lights at the shops and the fireworks in the Park, plus annual costs for the allotment and the website. Good news was receipt that day of £180 from Alistair Lofthouse of Print and Design, Sharrowvale Road as commission on sales of local history books (produced by the former NENG local history group). Alistair was thanked for bringing his selection of books which complemented the display of Nether Edge memorabilia. It was agreed that David Riesly should continue as auditor.

Elaine Bird reported that NENG has to date received £2619.50 in subscriptions and donations for the year 06/07, with 55 subscriptions still due. Following this year’s increase in subscriptions to £6 / £3 concessions, no further increase is planned. The split at the moment is 508 full subscriptions and 206 concessions. Continuing recruitment is necessary to maintain numbers.

Other Reports

Nether Edge Wildlife Watch

Howard Trott reported that indoor meetings are normally held at the Kings Centre and that Richard Pethen now organises the outdoor meetings. The group are now able to self-fund without a donation from NENG. A full report of NEWW activities will appear in the July Edge.

NENG Website

Tony Venables reported that following the death of John West, he had taken on website maintenance. He urged members to look at the website and tell him of any corrections or suggestions for additions – there is spare capacity. A show of hands at the meeting indicated there was no wish for each month’s entire Edge to be put on the site, but only selected items.

Election of Officers & General Committee

The following nominations were accepted:-

There was no other business.

The meeting closed at 9.25pm.

Reports of earlier meetings may be seen as follows:- 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002 and 2001.