Twelve members attended the AGM on 10th April this year, which was held at a new venue due to a special event taking place at the Bliss Charity School. Some of our members were unable to be present due to illness, including Mary Bliss and Walter Balmford. We hope to see as many as possible at next year’s AGM.
Our Treasurer, Christine Jackson, who had accepted the appointment for one year only, presented the accounts and confirmed that the two Santander accounts will be closed shortly as the new Barclays account was being used. The new PayPal account was now working and subscriptions received by our North American and Australian Secretaries had been transferred to the Society’s Barclays account at a much reduced cost compared with the previous bank transfers method. Once more, a healthy balance was recorded of approximately £2,800. It was agreed that Committee members should claim all expenses incurred in their duties. John Bliss had arranged for further purchases of postage stamps in advance to avoid the annual increase in postage rates.
The South Bank and City Reunion had proved to be another great success and had attracted several new attendees. A small profit of £63 was also recorded. Thanks were due to John and Sue Bliss for organising the whole event and also to Walter Balmford for opening the doors to the Guildhall and the Tallow Chandlers’Hall.
Our Records Secretary, Tom Bliss reported that the information from the 1911 Census Books will soon be available for inclusion on the Bliss Database. We are indebted to Hazel Crane for converting some of our data into Family Trees.
John Bliss, as Re-union Secretary, has drawn up plans for the September 2011 re-union in South Staffordshire, featuring the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas, The Bass Brewery Museum at Burton-on-Trent and Shugborough Hall. Full details and a booking form appear later in the Magazine.
The Bliss FHS website had been recently updated and the Webmaster, Andy Bliss, had asked that members notify him of any changes so that it can be kept up to date.
Debbie Bliss, our Minutes Secretary, presented a proposal to help attract new members. Tony Bliss and Tom Bliss offered to contact local radio and press to generate more interest in our Bliss weekend and John Bliss offered to mailshot Bliss families in Staffordshire.
Most members of the Committee were re-elected for a further year, except the John Bliss will be taking the addition role of Treasurer and Membership Secretary. The meeting thanked Christine for her year as Treasurer/Membership Secretary and the work done to change the banking arrangements and other improvements. Also thanks were expressed to the other members of the Committee for their continued efforts for the Society.
The next AGM will be held on Sunday 22 April 2012 at the usual time of 2.30 pm, at The Bliss Charity School, Nether Heyford.