Yealm Gardens Society
52nd Annual General Meeting – Tuesday 27th October 2026
WIC Hall
AGENDA
1. Apologies for absence
2. Minutes of AGM held on 28th October 2025 – Approve as a true record
3. Matters Arising
4. Secretary’s Report – any questions & approve
5. Treasurer’s Report – any questions & approve
6. Appointment of Accounts Examiner – Liz Woodd Walker
7. Nominations and Election of Committee for 2026/2067
Current Committee
Chair –
Treasurer John Alexander
Secretary Zoe Oldman / Judy Davis
Membership Secretary Maura Moore
Speaker Secretary / Social Media / Newsletters Lisa Allwood
Visits/Liaison with U3A Jacqui Gough
Committee members Paul Hardy (Chair) Jo Sharp
Re- election of committee en bloc
Nominations – new committee members – Donna Green, Ruth Baker – vote
9. Confirmation – President Rosemary Smith (standing down as Secretary)
10. Any Other Business
Doors open 7 if you would like a glass of wine before the meeting and do stay following the speaker to raise a glass with us to celebrate 52 years of the Society
YEALM GARDENS SOCIETY
Minutes of 51st Annual General Meeting
Held on Tuesday 28th October 2025 at the WIC Hall 7.30 pm
Apologies for Absence
John Alexander, Sophie Beije, Paul Jell, Nigel Wain, Colin Smith, Heather Ulewicz, Sally Belsham, Zoe Oldman, Rosemary Watts
Minutes of 50th AGM 2024 held on 29th October 2024, having been published on the website, were considered a true record of the meeting
Proposed: George Buckland, Seconded: D. Cox followed by a show of hands
There were no matters arising
Secretary’s Report 51st AGM 2025
A very good year for the Society – the 51st – and after a number of years following the interruption of covid we had a return to the Show. Judy & Sophie agreed to take on the organisation and it was agreed this time it would be a less formal show and more of a fun event. I am sure those of you who came along to Noss Hall agreed that this was certainly achieved. A great team of helpers on the day made it a very successful and happy occasion.
As usual, Lisa has entertained us with a great programme of speakers during the year – a very popular evening was when Mark Rosling, a Newton Ferrers resident, told us of the great adventure with his wife walking the 630 miles of the Coast path and being fascinated and delighted by the wildflowers discovered on the way.
Next year a surprise treat for you all – Lisa has booked Toby Buckland to speak to us which I know will be very popular.
Jacqui organises visits to gardens liaising with U3A. A group visited Tregrehan in Cornwall and more visits are planned for next year – suggestions from you are always welcome.
Our plant sale in May in the lovely garden of Carol & George was as usual a very happy Saturday morning not only for the wealth of plants for sale but also takings over £1000 to help the Society costs of Hall hire etc. and a £300 donation to St Luke’s Hospice. We were very grateful to all of you who brought plants along to sell, made cakes and also then bought some to take home. Fordbrook Nursery again were very generous in giving us a discount on plug plants to sell and Sue Brown gave us some of her lovely photos to raffle to add to the funds raised. Remember all members of the Society can receive a 10% discount at Fordbrook nursery at Brixton.
George again organised the Potato challenge at the primary school – encouraging the younger generation to grow vegetables to eat. The winning weights this year were 1239 and 1090 g – all from one potato. We always welcome your ideas for events visits, talks – the committee are here to provide entertainment for you all.
Thank yous – Committee, Carol & George for the wonderful support to the society Thank you to Liz Woodd Walker for examining the accounts and Jane Lethbridge for the much admired decoration for Harvest Festival in Holy Cross porch. The colourful dahlias were provided by Mike & Lyn Jones who have raised large funds for Ukraine from the sale of their flowers.
We are delighted to welcome Jacqui Felix-Mitchell who has joined us at short notice to give us a talk on The `Principles of Garden Design. Jacqui is a writer and has contributed to Gardeners’ Question Time – we very much look forward to hearing your talk after the business matters of the annual general meeting
Proposer for acceptance of the Secretary’s report : Jill Mariner
Seconded: Liz Woodd Walker followed by a show of hands
Liz Woodd Walker thanked Rosemary and the committee for all their work for the Society.
Treasurer’s Report
Firstly sincere apologies for being unable to be with you tonight to present my report. Thanks to Rosemary for agreeing to present it on my behalf.
The financial year, running from 1st October 2024 to 30th September 2025 was particularly successful showing a surplus of £1,018 against £419 the previous year.
Our membership hardly changed, 111 against 112, but the Plant Sale income was nearly double the year before which meant we could donate more to St Luke’s Hospice. They also received monies from their collection box at the Sale. Sincere thanks once again to George and Carol for hosting the event.
The Flower & Produce Show was held for the first time in 6 years and, although not designed to be a ‘money making’ event, proved not only successful socially but also financially.
Our overall expenses remain fairly static, except that speakers fees were lower, partly due to one speaker failing to turn up. In 2024 we gave £500 to Greenfingers Charity from the Open Gardens event which was not held this year.
The Society is in a very healthy financial position which, I’m sure you will be pleased , means that our Membership subscription does not need to increase from the current £10 per year.
Finally, I must thank Liz Woodd Walker for her very speedy examination of the Accounts, which has meant that they could be forwarded to you within a month of the year end.
John Alexander, Treasurer had posted the accounts for the year on the website and, as there were no questions, it was accepted by a show of hands in addition to the Treasurer’s report.
Proposer for acceptance of the Treasurer’s Report: John Stratford
Seconded; Laurie Wilson followed by show of hands.
Appointment of Account Examiner – Liz Woodd Walker
Proposer: John Stratford. Seconder: Jill Mariner followed by a show of hands.
Nomination and Election of Officers and Committee for 2025/2026
In accordance with the Constitution, the officers and committee resigned. Sophie will not be standing again – we will miss her with her lovely Swedish recipes – you will perhaps remember the Norwegian holidaymaker taking tea at Apppledore on the open gardens event causing amusement at his table as he was amazed to be eating a Swedish biscuit having come from Norway to Devon on holiday!!
As there were no nominations from the floor the following were to be re-elected
Treasurer John Alexander
Secretary Rosemary Smith
Membership Secretary Maura Moore
Speakers, Newsletters, Social media Lisa Allwood
Posters Zoe Oldman
Visits/Liaise with u3A Jacqui Gough
Committee members Judy Davis, Paul Hardy, Jo Sharp
Vote en bloc to accept these nominations
Proposer: Carol Buckland. Seconder: Liz Woodd Walker followed by show of hands
It was confirmed that Carol Buckland was happy to continue as President. Rosemary thanked Carol & George for their great support to the Society
As there was no other business the Meeting closed at 7.45 pm followed by a talk by Jacqui Felix-Mitchell on the “Principles of Landscape Design’
Members were invited to stay following the talk to enjoy a glass of wine