Welcome - Friends of Beckett Street Cemetery

AGM 2011 Report

Mar 08, 2012 at 06:24 PM

Our Annual General Meeting was held in March this year, earlier than usual because of April's Bank Holidays including a late Easter. We gathered on the second floor of the Thackray Museum, with a good view of the Cemetery. Earlier, Alun had led a walk round for members to see what's new and to update them on our projects.

Alun welcomed everyone and opened the meeting. The only Matter Arising from 2010 was the suggestion that the gates be replaced, being in a poor state. Council officers assessed them and estimated that replacements would cost £10,000! Instead, the Pay-back teams may be set to work wire-brushing and repainting them.
Alun summarised the past year, with meetings held, walks conducted, bulbs planted and talks given. Our main project was the production of the leaflet, for which we have received very positive responses. Another project is underway, to have markers made for those paths without one. Alun has met with the mason at Lawnswood, who is keen to assist.
Alun highlighted the pluses of work which has been done by the Council and the Friends and the minuses of vandalism. He said he wondered sometimes why we bother when others damage and vandalise, but it's about looking to the future and keeping trying.
Our 3 newsletters have been well received – we appreciate members' comments and articles. There's a steady stream of enquiries now mostly via the website.
Our Treasurer, Bernard Towers reported a healthy balance of £6046, thanking members for their donations and Sylvia Barnard for the royalties of her book. We anticipate spending some of this on the path signs. Bernard urged members to pay next year's subs by standing order, as it is so much more efficient.
Our membership stands at 176 – single and family and we continue to attract new members as a result of visits or the website.
Committee members were willing to be re-elected and, as there were no nominations, the current committee was proposed and seconded en bloc: Alun Pugh, Chairman, Lynda Kitching, Secretary, Monica Chilton, membership Secretary, Bernard Towers, Treasurer, Nic Chilton, web-site manager and newsletter editor, Gillian Hall, Enquiries officer, Barbara Worthington, committee member and hostess for our meetings.

Sylvia Barnard thanked and congratulated all for their past year's work.
Looking ahead, the Friends will offer to host the National Federation's Annual General Meeting in 2013.

The formal part of the meeting was followed by our speaker, Ralph Whitelock, whose talk was entitled 'The Whitelocks of Leeds'. With a well researched and illustrated presentation, Ralph recounted the history of the Whitelock family, with particular regard to John Lupton Whitelock (his middle name coming from his mother Ann Lupton). Many people knew him as the landlord of the Turk's Head pub off Briggate, so well known as to become 'Whitelocks'. He is buried in Beckett Street Cemetery alongside some of his extensive family. The Whitelocks ran or owned many pubs in Leeds over the years, whilst others went to Canada or South Africa. Ralph spoke well and answered questions at the end. Alun gave an enthusiastic vote of thanks and presented Ralph with a copy of 'To Prove I'm Not Forgot', which Sylvia signed for him.