Minutes of the Annual General Meeting Held in Sarratt Village Hall

28th October 2026

Present: 40+ members/officers/committee (xx). 

Chair: Jennifer Haynes, who welcomed everyone

Apologies: Tessa Baylis, Jenny Roberts

·   Minutes of AGM 2025:  Taken as read, approved and signed. Proposed: Kate Soothill and Seconded: Cathy Vines Matters Arising:   None

·   Society Secretary’s Report (Sandra Turner):

Another good year for the Society and we are gradually trying to become more cost efficient by using more online services as our Treasurer will say and also looking to use our website more.  Of course, we also issue out our news through emails but our bright yellow posters advertising the Show around the village are definitely staying!

Thanks to the committee who as always make my life easier and if you have any ideas for improvements please let me know.

·   Treasurer’s Report (David Turner): (full report separate document)

This was my first year as Treasurer of the Horti and thanks to John Gill for leaving them in good order.

We have this year gone more digital which is becoming a necessity, using online banking as paying in cheques and cash is becoming more difficult.  We get most of our cash at the pop-up trading stalls and the Shows.

Overall, we have had a good year with the Autumn Show, despite the weather providing an increased income for entries as well as teas, raffle, trading stall and donations on the door.  We are aware that we are holding significant funds and are constantly looking to donate within the Parish.  Hence:

·   We have donated all of our income from the pop-up trading stall equally between the Alms Houses and the Sarratt Green Café where it was held this year and we hope to do so again.

·   We are working with the Parish Council and the Wildlife Volunteers to buy bulbs to brighten up the village.  More on this from our Chairman.

If anyone has any other recommendations we will be interested to hear from you.

So in summary: -Attached are the statements of Account for the years ending September 2025 and September 2026. The amount held is £4925.04, of which £402.59 is cash, and £4522.45 is held in the bank. There has been an increase in funds by the sum of £514.00 from the previous year.

·   Show Secretary’s Report (Steven Booth) –

I can report that it has been another great year for our Society with two good shows to boast about. 

The Spring Show was a little earlier than usual (to avoid Easter) but the mild winter ensured that the daffodils turned up in their droves.  Some of the other flowers were a little behind but the number of entrants and entries were good. 

The Autumn Show was a real headache for the gardeners.  The hottest summer on record.  A hosepipe ban.  But surprisingly, it was the highest number of entries for 5 years and the judge commented on how good our show was compared to others he’d been to this summer.  Whilst there were some lovely flowers on display, some things had suffered.  For example, there were no raspberries entered at all.

There are a couple of areas where I think we need to do better.  Firstly, the floral art entries have been down in number.  As a committee, I think we need to carefully consider the subjects we are asking people to display.  Secondly, the number of children entering is low:  we need to find ways to change this. 

However, a very positive aspect this year was that we had seven first time entrants.  This is something we need to continue to encourage to keep the Shows evolving and renewing.

The Shows don’t just ‘happen’.  Many people are involved in the organising and execution.  Not just the committee but as many others in the village together with a band of judges who are happy to help us create the Shows.  I would like to thank all of them for everything that they do.  And what makes it all worthwhile, is the buzz and excitement when the doors open at 2.30pm and people can see the creativity of the people of Sarratt.  Having seen the exhibits a lovely cup of tea with some of the best cakes you will ever eat, makes the afternoon truly wonderful.

So, after 10 years of organising the Shows, I’m passing the baton to Nick Mansi.  I feel sure his knowledge and enthusiasm can only make things better in the future and I thank him, in advance, for keeping this village tradition going.

·   Membership Secretary’s Report (Audrey Hammett) –

Membership is healthy at 211 members and including a few new members who are very welcome. Please do mention Horti to anyone you meet who is new to the village, I am always happy to drop off a membership form and show schedule in the village.

Many thanks to all the Committee members who collected subscriptions door to door in January and especially to David for instigating the new online payment system for membership.  Online payment makes the whole process much smoother and quicker so please do consider that option if you are able.  However, there will again be a box for subscriptions in the shop in January and it also helps Committee greatly if members can drop their subscriptions in there (envelopes are with the box so you can provide your contact details). Whichever payment option you choose - we will then deliver your Schedule as soon as they are printed, normally in February. Note that you only need to complete a membership form if your details have changed or you are a new member.

· Chairman’s Report (Jennifer Haynes) –

We must start our evening with the very sad news of Margaret Stratford’s passing. To say we will miss her is an understatement. She was the kingpin of our society. We have all learnt so much from her and hopefully we will continue to run the Society as she taught us.

Our garden visit this year was to the beautiful Northamptonshire garden of Coton Manor. We also invited people from U3a Garden Group and other local Horticultural Societies in order to fill the coach! Coton Manor is a beautiful garden laid out in separate areas leading down to a small lake with flamingoes.

In addition, we were invited to Goldingtons to see the Alliums and to have tea which was great fun and thanks to Sue and Richard.

Our two shows as Steven has said have worked out well even with the drought conditions of this summer. We are looking to make some changes to how we run the Society which we will pass on to you later this evening.

The money we raised at our pop-up stall in May was equally divided between The Days Almshouse Charity and the Community Café for some tiling.

At last year’s AGM, it was raised that we held monies at the bank and were asked to see if there were any options for donations.  It has been agreed that this year we will giving to the village/Parish Council. With this money we are buying some spring bulbs to plant around the perimeter of the village as agreed with the Wildlife Volunteers and the Parish Council. We will be looking for volunteers to carry out this planting.

As always I would like to thank the Committee for their sterling work at the Shows and throughout the year. It couldn't be done without you! And you the members for your support at the Shows and during the year.

Thanks especially to Sandra Turner, our Secretary, for keeping us all up to date with the Society’s news, etc.

·   Election of Officers (following 2-year term) and Committee.

·   President: Interim 1 year– John Rickard

o   Proposed:  Steven Booth Seconded: Philip Beausire

·   Chairman:  (1 year) – Jennifer Haynes

o   Proposed:  Cathy Vines: Seconded: Kate Soothill

·   Show Secretary: Nick Mansi

o   Proposed: Audrey Hammett Seconded: Kate Soothill

·   Membership Secretary: Audrey Hammett

                                            i. Proposed: Ian MacClelland Seconded: Nick Mansi

·   Committee elected on Block (Philip Beausire, Emma Dickins, Joan Horwood, Julie Mansi, Ian McClelland, Graham Peiser, Jenny Roberts & Cathy Vines) , Steven Booth

                                            i. Helen Harding (and Toby the dog) also join the committee – welcome.

·   2027 dates

·   Spring – 3rd April 2027

·   Autumn – 11th September 2027

·   AGM – 27th October 2027

·   Any Other Business

·   Monies – Steven Booth raised that we do have significant funds and although we are using some for bulbs around the village, looking for other ideas – some that came from the members for the committee to discuss and follow up included:

o   The School – horticulture around the school and to go into the school

o   Buy bulbs – grab bag for families to plant with instructions on how to plant bulbs. 

·   Attracting new members and entrants.

o   Janice – bring your best plant -  “showstopper”

o   Changing to Sarratt Gardeners – there was not a clear yes or no from the members so for the committee to review and ask other Societies how they are getting on

o   At the shows – how to grow potatoes.

o   More informal talk about gardening – how to? and use knowledge of gardening that we have in the Society.

o   Bit of fun – tack on to something in the village e.g. 5 December, Flower Festival etc

Close meeting 8.40pm