LYME REGIS ART SOCIETY
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Held at 2pm on Tuesday 2nd December 2025 at Woodmeads Halls, Lyme Regis
1. Apologies: Beverly Glock, Sue Hodgetts.
2. Minutes of Annual General Meeting held on 3rd December 2024: Proposer Mary Noon. Seconder Sandra Lello.
The minutes were accepted by the membership by a show of hands.
3. Matters arising: There were no matters arising.
4. Chairperson’s Report:
I am relatively new to Lyme and to the Art Society. Like many of you, I joined LRAS to connect with others through something I love—art. Before long, I found myself on the committee organising demonstrations. And, slightly sooner than expected, I now find myself here as Chair.
The Committee had agreed that I would take up the role of Chair officially at this AGM. However, when Sue Hodgetts stepped down earlier in the summer—before the new season began—I was launched into the role prematurely, with big shoes to fill.
We thanked Sue at our first demonstration in September and sent her a gift on behalf of all members for her fabulous contribution to the Society over many years. Sue helped carry LRAS into the digital age, introducing the website and bringing professionalism, clarity, and organisation to our communications and structure.
There are moments when I feel overwhelmed, under-qualified, or like an imposter in this role. But then I remind myself why I joined— to improve in my art, to learn, but mostly to connect, to belong to a like-minded community, and to make friends along the way. That remains at the heart of everything I do, both as a member and now as Chair.
Our demonstrations continue to be an amazing source of inspiration. But it is also important that we grow beyond being just an audience and become an active, connected society. This year we enjoyed two wonderful ‘Creative Connections’ (in January and October), where we had the chance to see and celebrate the work of our very own members.
We now also have:
ï A new and growing plein air group led by Jo, braving the elements to sketch and connect in the outdoors;
ï An Art Table where members share work between demos;
ï A growing members’ Facebook group;
ï A feature in Lyme Living (the town council magazine);
ï And even our own LRAS logo art notebooks!
Committee Thanks
We have a small committee who work extremely hard to keep all of this running—and I’d like to thank them all, in no particular order:
ï Terry – who manages all our finances (demos, exhibition, bookings) and welcomes members every week alongside Mary.
ï Mary – who organised our fabulous annual exhibition at the Malt House Gallery. It is a huge undertaking—managing entries, finances, layout, hanging, rotas, and more—and Mary makes it all look easy.
ï Gill – who organised our entire programme of 12 demonstrations this year, a tremendous job of research, bookings, and coordination.
ï Jo Clarke, our Secretary – who keeps the committee organised, takes minutes, and responds to members’ enquiries.
ï Martin – who operates the camera for every demonstration and has also taken on the role of Membership Secretary.
ï Jayne Avery – who has promoted our demonstrations, managed our social media, and helped raise our profile. Jayne is stepping down at the AGM, and I’d like to thank her for her contribution this year.
We also owe thanks to several members who support us regularly even though they’re not formally on the committee:
ï Fiona – who volunteered for one demo report… and has been producing them ever since (they are all available on our website).
ï Claire and Juliet – helped by Delia - who make the teas and coffees, often missing parts of the demos in the process.
All of this happens, week in, week out, quietly and consistently.
And finally—thank you to all of you:
For attending demos, sharing artwork, entering the exhibition, donating art materials for our charity table, moving chairs, welcoming others, and simply showing up—not just for art, but for each other. Your contributions make LRAS a community.
Looking Ahead
Our committee is quite small, and we really do need more help. But you don’t have to join the committee to contribute. I want to encourage everyone to feel that they can take part, have a voice, offer help, share ideas, or take on small tasks—whether it’s making teas, helping with the camera, writing demo reports, organising an outing, or starting something new.
It is your Society. Your community. And it grows stronger when we all participate.
Let’s keep learning, creating, sharing—and growing together.
Jane Spencer
Chair Person
5. Treasurer’s Report:
This is the Treasurer’s Report for the year ending 31 July 2025
As in previous years, the society continues to maintain financial stability through a program of monthly demonstrations and the Annual Exhibition.
Cash at the bank as of 31 July increased by £17 for the year and closed with a balance of a £3684. This small increase shows that we continue to manage the society’s funds prudently despite an ongoing climate of rising costs.
Total income for the year was £8540, and total expenditure £8523, both numbers slightly down on the previous year.
Income from subscriptions and visitors remains stable year on year enabling us to fund a successful programof demonstrations. A slight fall in total receipts was primarily due to our non-participation in RNLI day in July. This is also reflected in the fall in expenses.
A successful Annual Exhibition in May continues to be self-funding through entrance fees and commission on sales retained by the Society. We sold 12 paintings, 170cards, 21prints and an assortment of coasters, magnets and books.
As we approach the time for thinking about and planning the exhibition next May, we know how important it will be to maintain this momentum.
I briefly mentioned our non-participation at the RNLI day last July and the committee continues to look at new ways to support the RNLI.
One idea which has been implemented is a sale of art related items donated by our members on demonstration days. All sale proceeds will be donated to the RNLI.
Each year I mention the members who help with stewarding duties at the annual exhibition.
Again, my thanks for your time and input in receiving and recording sales which I know is no easy task.
Finally, I would like to say a big thank you to Sharyn Walker for her review of the accounts and for her help in the preparation of the Receipts and Payments account.
I now offer the accounts to you for your formal approval and acceptance.
Thank you.
Terry Gibbons
Treasurer
Proposer to accept the Treasurer’s Report was Jacqui Coppard. Seconded was Mary Noon. The report was accepted by a show of hands.
6. Programme Organiser’s Report:
After taking up the post in September the demo artists have demonstrated in all medias. If any members have ideas of who they would like to invite please contact Gill by the LRAS email. The report covers the demonstrations from January 2025.
Lisa Takahashi - 9th January. “Hand printed Linocut - Using the Reduction Print Method”
Lisa focused on the reduction method whereby the Lino tile is progressively carved into throughout the process, whilst layers are built up, sometimes overlapping giving texture and depth.The concentration of Lisa’s hard work throughout the process was rewarded with how to produce a successful print. She used Japanese paper of long fibres to print onto and using Cranfield printing inks and mediums.
Art Share Exhibition Planning- 21st January.
This was a change in format. Nine members shared their artistic vision and skills using a variety of mediums. Members and visitors were seated around the hall and were able to spend 10 minutes at each station, watching and learning about different aspects of art and craft. Sue Hodgetts opened the event and was time keeper for the rotation around the tables. The trial session was hugely successful.
Kat Heueston - 2nd February. “Life Drawing Skills”
A fully participaratory session was delivered by the undisputed ’master’ of life drawing. kat provided materials, equipment, a model and inspiration structure. Kat’s delivery was as usual serene, encouraging, seamlessly inspiring and with much learning and enrichment by participants.
Alex Boon - 21st February
Using Inktense pencils. Alex presented a table of beautiful, inspiring sketchbooks. Exquisitely decorated and bound, crammed with thick double edged pages which invited us into Alex’s world of misty mornings, full of beautifully sketched flowers and fauna.
Jake Winkle - 3rd March. “Wildlife in Colour”
Jake working in wet into wet with a variety of colours quickly and carefully magicked a very lively fox. A skilful demonstration resulting in an energetic painting. After tea he tackled a Panda.
Joan Scott - 18th March. Collage and mixed media.
Joan brought all sketch of the harbour in Lyme Regis and worked on paper to which she had glued sand and eggshells - these had been crushed and oven baked to sterilise. Joan continued to add various water based paints to create texture - and finally oil pastels which added a delightful sense of vegetation.
Phil Creek - 16th September. “A Summer Lane in Acrylics”
Entertains and award winning artist of SWAc Phil opened the season demonstrating his techniques using acrylic paints. An organised and tidy painter he invited members to select one of his photographs from which to paint.
Alison Whately - 30th September. Textile seascape
Award winning textile artist Amanda Whately demonstrated her innovative techniques using fabric, water based mixed media and a range of glues, bonding and other products which she manipulated with alacrity to produce a unique seascape.
Julie Dunster - 14th October. “Pumpkin Harvest in Oils”
Awarded winning artist Julie Dunster demonstrated her painting techniques and extensive skill with oils. An intrepid en plein air painter Julie is motivated by being outdoors in any weather. Julie asked members to choose between two photographs. A boy sitting on a hay bale with sunlight and shadows leading the eye around the composition won!
Anna Brewster - 4th November. Autumn landscape
Anna stepped in literally at the last minute. With just hours to spare she presented enthusiastically and professionally her process of an Autumn landscape. Techniques include wax crayons and watercolour resist effects. She emphasised keeping a balanced composition of vertical and horizontal lines including the all important soft horizon. She used a variety of tools for mark making and a hairdryer to speed up the process.
Art Share - 18th November.
We enjoyed the work of seven LRAS members and discovered their skills, vision and their art. On this occasion pictures definitely speak louder than words.
Magic Pratt share beautiful needle and wet felting. Christine Rowson displayed a varied array of charming landscaped in oils, watercolour, pastels and printmaking. A peek into Christine’s two wonderful sketch books was inspiring. Della Pring displayed vibrant mixed media abstract expressionist paintings. Irene Usher’s enchanting miniature dollhouse and accessories were mesmerising. Mary Noon and Sarah Wright displayed the magic of Cyanotype and Jo Clarke talked about her intrepid plain painting journeys.
7. Election of Officers:
The following are presently serving on the committee: Jane Spencer - Chairperson and website. Terry Gibbons - Treasurer. Jo Clarke - secretary and assisstant camera operator. Gill Burbidge - Programme Organiser. Mary Noon - Exhibition Orgnaiser and venue bookings. Martin Pennycott - Camera Operator and Membership Secretary. Jayne Avery - Social Media.
The following committee members have served one of two years and have agreed to to continue in post. Jane Spencer, Terry Gibbons, Gill Burbidge and Mary Noon.
The following member is seeking re-election having served a term of two years: Jo Clarke - Secretary.
The following person is seeking election onto the committee: Fiona Gill - Social Media.
Proposed for these two positions by Jayne Avery. Seconded by Anne Cater. The positions were approved by a show of hands.
8. Constitution:
There are two proposed changes:
Section titled Committee item 1.
This proposed change reflects the difficulty we have in maintaining a committee – please do consider how you might contribute
This will read the Committee will include a Chair Person, Treasurer, Secretary and up to (instead of ‘at least’) 6 members.
Second Change:
Currently we set annual subscriptions at the AGM when our financial calculations run from August to August. This means we set the amount before we know our budget, hall costs or demonstrating costs.
This limits our ability to manage membership costs – which we will always aim to keep as low as possible
So the proposed changes are:
the line under AGM number 8 that says “members will be advised of annual subscriptions at the AGM” be removed. Section titled Annual Subscriptions. Change to ‘Any change to the annual subscription will be notified from the beginning of our financial year after the 1st August.
Proposer: Rosemary Sullivan
Seconder: Martin Pennycott.
The vote was approved by a show of hands.
9. Exhibition Dates: Annual Exhibition date for 2026: 9th-21st May exclusive.
10. AOB: No other business.
The meeting closed at 2.29 pm.
