Once again there has been little change in the Association’s overall financial position and the accounts show a small surplus for the year, with additional income from garden visits and advertising balancing out extra costs.

It is the aim of the Executive Committee not to use capital for normal running expenses and, with this in mind, we have looked at the membership fees which have remained unchanged for at least ten years. It was therefore decided at the October meeting to increase the annual subscription for Single members to £10 and for Joint members to £15. The rates for Life members were left unchanged.

As we have no wish to lose any of our present members, the increase will only apply to new people joining the Association, however it would obviously help our financial position if existing Annual members were also to increase their payments to reflect the change. Please consider this and, where appropriate, complete and return to me the Standing Order authority enclosed with the magazine.

At the year end all of the Association’s funds were held by Nat West PLC following the decision by AMC Bank to close the account we have held with them for many years.

There was a small increase in membership during 2011 and the total now stands at 664. We also gained one new parish council.

Michael Goodbody