Andover Women in Business September Meeting 2003

September 2003 - AGM and Culture in Test Valley

With a turn out of nearly two thirds of the membership, the Annual General Meeting of the Andover Women in Business Club on 2 September was well attended and an extremely enjoyable evening was had for all who were present.

To a theme of ‘A Night at the Opera’, the Red Lion at Clanville made a lavish affair of the decorations and laid on its usual excellent, themed food. Tables representing ‘The Gods’, ‘The Lower Circle’ and the ‘Upper Circle’ were filled with relaxed members, while ‘The Royal Box’, represented the Club’s Committee, preparing for an evening of more than usual formal business.

Larch Gauld, Michael Johnson and new President Kate King (l to r)

Following an introduction by Larch Gauld, retiring President for the Club, the Treasurer’s Report was given, followed by a summary of the Club’s marketing activities over the past year. The Club is now promoted regularly through the Andover Library (which holds its current Newsletter), and it has recently been involved with the Andover Trade Fair and the Andover Festival. The Club continues to support the Andover Family Learning Project, this year also being involved with the Community Partnership’s National Conference in June.

The profile of Andover Women in Business Club continues to rise within the local and business community and attracts members, employed and self-employed, from both commercial and service industries. Regular reports appear in the monthly Andover Advertiser Business Scene and other press stories have covered the Club’s fundraising for Andover Mencap and the Andover Rape Crisis Helpline.

The formal business of the meeting began with a report of the year from retiring president, Larch Gauld, followed by thanks for her hard work over the past year by Vice-President, Tessa Makepeace.

An election took place for a new President and former committee member, Kate King was duly elected and welcomed. Kate has been on the Club’s committee for a year and is proprietor of B B Training at Union House in Andover.

In addition to the new President, the main committee continues to be represented by Tessa Makepeace as Vice-President, Jean Pickernell as Treasurer and Sandra Richardson as Secretary.

A less formal continuation of the meeting followed, with Michael Johnson, Senior Arts Officer for Test Valley Borough Council, giving members an interesting insight into the Cultural Strategy for Test Valley. Discussing the area’s strengths and weaknesses Michael explained how the local consultation process had developed the Strategy over the past two years.

The desire to improve arts in the area has its own challenges. The advantages of Test Valley’s strong rural traditions and local heritage, together with its access to local countryside and low unemployment, has to be weighed against its continuing need for better access to and from villages and residents’ perceived fear of crime.

Members showed great interest in the talk, with Michael answering questions for some time after his presentation. It was a useful opportunity for local business women to have an input and to understand better some of the difficulties encountered in raising the profile of arts in Test Valley. Many Club members showed interest in supporting the Borough Council’s activities and Andover Women in Business Club aims to forge links with its Arts Department.