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Message From Our Acting Chair – Janet Crowther

Posted on by AGWSD

Hello to all members of the AGWSD guilds,

In my message to the guild members on 23 March, I was being so optimistic, so hopeful that the events we have planned for this summer would go ahead.  As the days have progressed it is not to be.

AGM

I will start with the AGM that would have taken place on 18th April at the Conway Hall in London.  As you know this has been changed to a ‘postal’ vote.  Thank you to all the guilds that have discussed the AGM information and returned the voting form.  I am so impressed that you have managed to communicate with your members when we are unable to have face to face meetings. If your guild has still to return the voting form, please remember it is to be with Mary England, AGWSD Secretary by 30th April.

Guild Gathering  Colour The Full Spectrum 19 – 21 June 2020

After much heart searching and with discussion with the Guild Gathering sub-committee the GPC has agreed that it is not possible to hold the Guild Gathering this June.  Those that booked to go have been contacted and the convenor and sub-committee are in the process of organising the return of the booking fee.

I know so many were looking forward to the weekend, the lectures, the workshops and the very good company of like minded people.

It is hoped that the Guild Gathering may be rescheduled, this is under discussion but, I am sure you will appreciate, deciding when and where would have to be organised, which can’t realistically take place until the current world crisis is over.

AGWSD Exhibition  ‘Coal, Cotton, Canals’ to be held at Leigh Spinners Mill, 5th – 20th September 2020

After considered discussion the members of the GPC have very regrettably agreed to the cancellation of the AGWSD Exhibition at Leigh Spinners Mill in September 2020.  The existing dates for the selection process and for the non selected items are now cancelled.  Other avenues for the exhibition are currently being explored.  The member Guilds of the AGWSD will be informed as soon as a workable solution has been agreed.  This will depend on how the current situation evolves within the time scale of the AGWSD events.

The GPC hope that you will all continue to work for our National Exhibition whenever and however it will take place.  

The GPC would like to thank all those who have worked tirelessly for the Guild Gathering and for the Exhibition.  Cancelling/postponing was the last thing we hoped to do, but it has now become inevitable

AGWSD Summer School 2021  Writtle University College Chelmsford, 15 – 22 August 2021

Good news

The plans for this are all going well, the college and the tutors have been booked with an exciting and varied array of courses.  Christina Chisholm, convenor, with her sub-committee is working on all the regular parts that make a summer school such a wonderful event.

As I mentioned in the email of 23 March, we are lucky to have such an organisation as the AGWSD with all the member Guilds, with all their members who are working to keep the whole organisation in one piece, by finding creative ways to hold meetings and to share skills and friendship.

This information and any updates will be on the AGWSD website, emailed to all member guilds and included in the AGWSD Newsletter.

 Keep safe, keep smiling and keep creative

Janet Crowther
AGWSD Acting Chair

 

2020 AGM Update

Posted on by AGWSD

The governing body of the AGWSD, the GPC, has considered the impact that the coronavirus may have on the attendance of the AGWSD AGM scheduled for Saturday 18 April.  As there is much uncertainty as to future government directives, and taking into account the health and safety of our guild members, the GPC are in agreement that the AGM meeting at Conway Hall is replaced by a ‘postal’ voting system, which is already in place for those delegates unable to attend an AGM.

These are exceptional circumstances and the GPC hope that all guilds are in agreement with the decision.

Postponing the AGM was considered, as constitutionally it has to be held between 1st March and 31st August with 30 voting delegates present for the meeting to be quorate.  However, given the uncertainty there maybe regarding the national position during that time, inconvenience for Guild members having to alter plans, and the need for JEC and GPC nominations to be agreed sooner rather than later, for those committees to continue to run effectively, a change to a ‘postal’ AGM was considered to be the only option.

All guild secretaries have been sent the above explanation and have the necessary forms to enable the guild to participate in this year’s AGM.  Please consult your guild secretary if you have any queries or need more information.