WANDERER CLASS OWNERS' ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD ON SATURDAY 1st MARCH, 2008
AT MUSWELL HILL GOLF CLUB


1. Welcome and Apologies

1.1 The Chairman welcomed everyone to the 23rd Annual General Meeting.

1.2 Apologies for absence were received from David Hewitt, William Osborne, Terry Pullen, Fred Daborn, Jill and Mike Cook, Martin and Linda Forth, Brian Rosen and Eric Smith.

2. Minutes of 2007 AGM and Matters Arising

2.1 The minutes of the 2007 Annual General Meeting were agreed. There were no matters arising.

3. Chairman's Report

3.1 Philip remarked that the number of attendees at this 2008 AGM was below normal, this being the first AGM not to be held in January and also at a new venue.

3.2 Philip said that looking back over his notes for the previous year he felt that progress had been made in 2007 compared to the confusions of the previous year. He said at the January 2007 AGM that we hoped to see the new Wanderer at Whitstable in July 2007. However, this proved to be a rather optimistic timetable and we did not see the Wanderer until the Southampton Boat Show in September 2007. We now have a new Wanderer it is designed by Phil Morrison, who knew Ian Proctor well, and built by Hartley Laminates and three have already been sold.

3.3 Frustratingly, no WCOA member has yet sailed the new Wanderer. However, Richard Hartley confirmed that he has joined Carsington Sailing Club in Derbyshire and during the next couple of months he would be inviting members of the National Committee to 'test drive' the new boat. Philip also stated that he had hoped to persuade Richard Hartley to bring the boat to the training weekend at Bosham in April2008 and the National Championships at Weymouth in June 2008.

3.4 The new Wanderer has met the key suggestions that were made to Hartley Laminates in September 2006. It is important to recognise that the new Wanderer is now the standard Wanderer. The new mould for the new boat is the only one that exists and this was why, later in the meeting, we will be discussing and voting on a Resolution to welcome the new Wanderer and review our existing class rules to amend them to accord with the details of the new boat.

3.5 Philip reported that one innovation in the sailing calendar last year was the National Championships and Rally at Whitstable. Gavin was thanked for developing the rally concept which resulted in 24 entries being the best turn out for eight to nine years. Gavin replied that there were in fact thirty boats including the cruising boats. Good numbers were also enjoyed at the Inland Championships at Bewl Valley SC where conditions were a lot quieter.

3.6 Deteriorating weather was experienced at Bosham which left only one boat floating the right way up in the final race – inevitably helmed by Gavin. Light airs at Weymouth and sailing in foggy spells meant that these conditions were just as challenging.

3.7 The training weekend at South Cerney was again well attended. Ian Porter led the training for the first time and he has agreed to undertake the training at Bosham this year. Philip mentioned that Mike Hamilton spent much of the day taking prospective owners out for a sail in deteriorating conditions.

3.8 The cruisers enjoyed perfect conditions in the West Solent in July led by Andy Peters and there were also good conditions either side of a nasty squall for the East Coast Cruise in June. There was a boisterous Poole Harbour cruising event in August supported by an RNLI escort boat laid on by Tim Robertson.

3.9 The membership administration is in the process of being overhauled and the number of queries from members during the year has reduced. This in particular is due to Robin and Jill for spending numerous hours sorting out and refining the database. Philip reported that details have now been secured of all current Wanderer owners following a long period of hiatus due to the change of builder. Having sorted this out will now allow us to turn our attention to recruiting new members of secondhand Wanderers - a task which Chris King did most assiduously until he departed for Baghdad and Dubai.

3.10 Philip reported there were two resignations during the year from the National Committee which was unusual. Steve Harvey's general health made it necessary for him and Barbara to sell ‘Jazzin’ Around’ and, sadly, he felt unable to continue as Technical Secretary. Gavin came nobly out of retirement to take Steve's place. Stan Telling's health and sight had made travelling impossible and after twenty five year’s service he had decided to retire from the committee. Stan became an associate member after he sold his Wanderer, ‘Salamander’, some years back. Stan kept the membership records in impeccable order, without databases, and it was reported that the history of every boat that was bought and sold was recorded. Philip proposed that WCOA should offer Stan Honorary Membership of the Association and this was unanimously agreed. There had only been one previous Honorary Member, John Jones of Anglo Marine, the one time builders of the dinghy.

3.11 Philip thanked the National Committee for their continuing support and cheerful willingness in conducting WCOA affairs. Terry Pullen, who was unable to be at the meeting was specifically mentioned for his management of the website and the design of the magazine which is consistently impeccable. Terry had already indicated that the Home page of the website is to be refreshed and re-designed

4. Treasurer's Report

4.1 Robin reported that Peter Oliver who had audited the accounts for a number of years has decided to retire. Robin, on behalf of WCOA, had thanked Peter for his work. Ray Tennant, thankfully, has agreed to take on the vacant position.

4.2 Robin reported that subscriptions have decreased and the magazine continues to dominate the expenditure. The sum in the Bank totals £13,000 which is good but we have got to do something about attracting and retaining new members.

4.3 Colin Gilbert raised the frequency of the magazines and whether we should consider making it available on line thus saving printing and distribution costs. Gavin suggested an annual magazine and the rest to be on line. Tom Loosemore stated that he would be more than happy to receive it on line but accepted it was not the case for everyone. Robin stated that 80% of the membership had e-mail connection.

4.4 Andy Peter commented that the cost of producing the magazine is £10.00 per copy. If delivered by e-mail, advertising rates could be reduced. Philip said that we may be coming to a cross roads and if income from membership declines then it was inevitable that the cost of producing the magazine would have to be trimmed.

4.5 Robin advised the meeting that no increase in the £22 annual subscription was required. Philip reported that the Wayfarer subscription is being increased from £22.00 to £27.00 and they have a magazine three times a year.

4.6 It was agreed the question of the magazine’s future would be discussed at the 5th April 2008 meeting. A suggestion was made that the WCOA National Committee consider an on-line survey of the membership with regard to the magazine’s future.

5. Election of National Committee Members

5.1 Committee members are elected to specific posts at the National Committee meeting in April. Philip stated that he had not received any nominees. The present remaining committee members were, however, prepared to stand for another year. Colin Gilbert proposed his wife Sally. The proposal was seconded by Mike Hamilton. Voting was unaniamously in favour although Colin abstained. The Chairman wished him well on his return home given that Sally was not at the meeting itself.

6. Resolutions

6.1 The following Resolution was put forward as detailed on page 7 of the AGM agenda.Following the re-design of the Wanderer by Phil Morrison from 1st March 2008 for a period of one year or until the 2009 AGM, Hartley Laminates Wanderers (and Wanderer Esprits), including any fitted with asymmetric spinnakers, shall be permitted to race on equal terms with existing Wanderers provided that the spirit and intention of the Wanderer Class rules are respected. This is on the understanding that a resolution or resolutions will be brought to the 2009 AGM to amend the class rules so as to include all designs and types of Wanderer. The resolution was passed having been proposed by Gavin Barr seconded by David Davies, supported by the National Committee with one abstention.

6.2 Andy Peter enquired of the weight of the new Wanderer. Philip stated that he spoke to Mark Hartley at Earls Court who informed him that the stripped down boat is still heavier than the minimum weight. The floor boards of the older version of the Wanderer are not included when a boat is weighed. The new Wanderer has no floor boards so the weight of the boat is re-configured. Going forward, the next step would be for the WCOA Technical Committee consisting of Fred Daborn, Mike Powell, David Davies, and Gavin Barr to consider where it was necessary to amend the Class Rules to accommodate the new Wanderer design.

7. Presentations
Anglo Marine Cruising Plate – Tim Robertson presented this award to Tom Loosemore and Stephen Dunn for their account of their cruising on the Deben and Orwell in June 2007 and said that it was a great pleasure to be handing over the trophy to someone new this year.

Anglo Marine Racing Plate - Mike Hamilton presented the Anglo Marine Racing Plate to Gavin Barr and Mark Skipper. Third place was awarded to Chris and Vicky King (who would be presented with their trophy at Salcombe) and second place going to Mike Hamilton and David Oats. Ian Procter Memorial Trophy - In a departure from traditional practice, Jill Meadowcroft announced to an increasingly bemused David Davies that he would receive this handsome trophy for the tremendous amount of work and support that he has given to the Association over many years. Emergency supplies of Kleenex tissues were called for by both Jills as Jill D presented the trophy to David D, who remained dry eyed and in control throughout.
Barry Hillier Clanger Bell – was awarded to Gavin Barr for vandalising the fresh water tap on the hard standing at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy. Gavin had reversed his car into the tap causing a mini Niagara. Gavin’s plumbing repair skills were put to a serious test.
Ken Dickinson Memorial Tankard – Philip explained that this award was in memory of Ken Dickinson who was previously Chairman of the Association and a great racer but latterly became a serious cruiser. Andy Peter was awarded this trophy for his enormous contribution to cruising.

8. Any Other Business

8.1 The question was raised in respect of non-members anticipating in the Wanderer forum. Gavin stated that a lot of technical advice was given freely by him and said that it would be extremely difficult to be restrictive on what advice he gave to non-members. He would be reluctant to limit advice to non-members as he felt it was a very good method of recruitment.

9. Close of Meeting

9.1 The meeting closed at 19:34 hours.