The President, Jeremy Hill, welcomed the guest speaker, noted environmentalist and Pro-Vice Chancellor of Essex University Jules Pretty, who is an expert in fields of great interest to the Association including sustainability and global warming. He gave an extremely interesting talk entitled ‘This Luminous Coast’ based on his recent journey along the entire coast of East Anglia.

Afterwards the President thanked Jules Pretty for his really fascinating talk which brought to light many interesting and little-known facts about our coastline.

The President, Jeremy Hill, took the chair.

1. To approve the Minutes of the 2010 Annual General Meeting
Approval of the Minutes of the 2010 Annual General Meeting was agreed by the meeting after being proposed by Simon Ward and seconded by Jeremy Hill. The Minutes were then signed by the Chairman, Charles Aldous.

2. Matters arising from the Minutes
There were no matters arising from the Minutes.

3. To receive the Chairman’s report
The Chairman’s written report appeared on pages 3 and 4 of the Newsletter, but he added a few points to give a more up to date picture on three subjects.

Firstly, the Association is taking all possible steps to oppose the erection of more pylons in our area. National Grid had encountered opposition from various sources, and their final decision had had to be delayed. An independent report into costs of undergrounding had been undertaken, and National Grid were also undertaking further public consultation on their policy. The Association was continually coordinating their efforts, although he was not able to hold out much hope for the eventual outcome.

Secondly, with regard to Buntings’ application, he reported that a meeting of interested parties was to be held at Colchester Town Hall, which he would be attending to represent the interests of both the Association and Dedham Vale. As each speaker would only be allowed three minutes, a meeting was being arranged beforehand in order to review all the submissions and ensure the best use was made of them.

Finally, on the extension of the existing Area of Outstanding of Natural Beauty, he asked the members present at the meeting to make a resolution to be forwarded to Braintree District Council in the hopes that it would be included in their core strategy plans, which were due for finalisation shortly. Jeremy Hill duly proposed the resolution that the Association endorse the Committee’s proposal that the current AONB be extended as far as Sudbury, and the motion was passed unanimously.

The adoption of the report was then duly approved by the meeting.

4. To approve the Annual Accounts
The Treasurer, Michael Goodbody, presented the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2010, which are to be seen on the final page of the 2011 Newsletter. Approval of the annual accounts was proposed by James Macmillan and seconded by Simon Ward, and they were duly approved.

5. To re-appoint the Independent Examiner
(Charles Dinwiddy)
The President, Jeremy Hill, announced that Charles Dinwiddy had kindly agreed to act as Independent Examiner for the year. His appointment was duly agreed having been proposed by Noel Owen and seconded by Mark Dawson.

6. To elect the Officers and the Committee of the Association
The Officers and Committee of the Association had all agreed to stand for another year, and their re-election en- bloc was proposed by Angela Fossick and seconded by Jill Kerr-Smiley.

7. Any other business
No other points of discussion were raised. The meeting closed at 9.35pm.

CHAIRMAN
Charles Aldous QC.,
Ravensfield Farm, Bures Hamlet, CO8 5DP.
Tel: 01787 227881

HON TREASURER
Michael Goodbody,
The Old Rectory, Wickham St. Paul’s, Halstead, Essex CO9 2PJ.
Tel: 01787 269250

COMMITTEE
Christopher Robinson (Vice Chairman), David Daniels, Mark Dawson, Henrietta Drake, Gill Eadie, Robert Erith, Jeremy Hill, Georgina Hunter Gordon, Anthony Keniry, Simon Ward, Petra Ward.