Wellington Memorial Silver Band AGM 1510112024
The band met for their annual AGM on 151h January 2024. Chairman Thomas Woods
welcomed everyone to the meeting. VI￿ presidents Raymond Stewart and Robert
Mcclurg were in attendan￿. Apologies were accepted from Avril Carse and Elma
Pentland.
Thomas welcomed Robin Fairbairn back to the meeting after his absence last year.
We stood for a moments Silen￿ to reflect on all those who had been bereaved since
we last met.
The minutes from the last AGM were read and accepted as a true record of the
meeting.
The treasurer, Sam Woods, gave a short report and explained that we had registered
for GiftAid and received a refund around £1400 from HMRC. Thomas thanked Sam
for his continued commitment to is role. The accounts were checked and verified by
an independent auditors and it was proposed and seconded that the accounts be
accepted as accurate.
The Chainnan spoke about the busy year the band had in 2023, between the spring
festival in April 2023 and the numerous Coronation events that we attended. Our
M.D David Hawthorne stepped down as conductor in June 2023 and after a short
period of advertisement, Stephen Cairns was welcomed as the band's new Musical
Director, and they ￿lebrated their first win with him in November 2023. We had 13
engagements throughout the year, and the band are looking forward to another busy
year.
Thomas thanked all the officers and committee for their continued support, Sarn for
his continued work as treasurer, Victoria for continuing her role as secretary and
Catherine for her role as assistant secretary. Robert Mcclurg was thanked for his
hard work sorting and filing our music, he confirmed we have 808 ple￿S of music in
our library.
Dawn Stewart was thanked for her ongoing dedication to the Junior band, and
thanks to Graham McNamara for stepping in to help her. It was also mentioned that
she works hard in helping the band secure guest players for various engagements
as and when it was required. She also heads up the carol playing during the festive
period and arranges for ensembles to play at different venues to raise money for
Action can￿r. All of it does not go unnoticed. This year an impressive £6995 was
raised for the charity. Robert had also mentioned that Sin￿ Davy Dickson began the
fundraising efforts forAction can￿r, the bands had raised over £60,000.
All offI￿S were declared vacant and the proceedings were handed over to Robin
Fairbairn. He thanked us for inviting him and apologised for his absence last year
and he is happy to be back with us. All offi￿S were re-elected in block.
Thomas had discussed player of the year with Stephen prior to the meeting. He
remarked that everyone is in the band for the right reasons. and everyone is pulling

their weight. He complimented Graham for an eX￿lIent performan￿ at the Maldron
Hotel. Dawn for her work wrth the juniors and our guests, and Catherine for stepping
up in the principal's seat. Team work is what helps our band to continue. Graham,
Dawn and Catherine share the player of the year award. and Catherine received a
certificate for 20 years of Servi￿ to the band.
Patrick Millar remarked that the functionality of our band all boils down to teamwork,
we all play well at contests and it's all due to everyone's practice and dedication. He
told us how is still enjoying coming to the band and how he appreciates the help
moving his instrument.
The meeting was then brought to a close and everyone enjoyed some refreshments
and a chat.
Officers
President: David Dickson
VI￿ presidents". William Pentland, Robin Fairbairn, Jim Smyth, Raymond Stewart,
Elma Pentland, Avril Carse, Tom McNeilly, Robert Mcclurg, William Moody
Chainnan." Thomas Woods
VI￿-Chairman. Robert Mcclurg
Treasurer: Sam Woods
Secretary: Ifictoria McAuley
Assistant secretsry." Catherine Dodsworth
Librarians: Robert Mcclurg, Evelyn Woods, Patrick Millar
Committee: Catherine Dodsworth, Dawn Stewart, David Hanna, Graham McNamara
NIBAIBBNI reps: Catherine Dodsworth, Victoria McAuley, Dawn Stewart
SWDBA reps: Sam Woods, Thomas Woods
Crossgar War Memorial Hall reps: Robert Mcclurg, Callum Bowsie
Equipment officers: David Hanna, Graham McNamara
Conductor: Stephen Calms
Assistant Conductor: Thomas Woods
Band sergeant: Dawn Stewart
Independent persons." Robert Mcclurg, Dougie Marr
Signed
Chainnan.