Derek Spackman, the Chairman of the Quantock Centre, wrote to members on 5 September appealing for volunteers for key jobs in the Centre.
The letter followed a special meeting of the Committee on 22 August at which it was agreed that he should write to all members alerting them to “the critical situation immediately facing us”.
The situation arises from the following circumstances: Derek Spackman is standing down as Chairman at the AGM in February 2009; Basil Bryant, the Hon. Treasurer, is retiring at the same time; Jim Clifford, Chairman of the Programme Sub-Committee, is standing down in January 2008; new booking secretaries are needed for the Summer programme; and the ladies of the Catering Sub-Committee plan to retire at the end of the coming winter's Saturday lecture season.
The letter stressed: “To ensure the future of the Quantock Centre, there is an urgent need for members to volunteer – and to come forward now.”
No-one has come forward so far, and the matter is on the draft agenda of the Centre's annual general meeting, to be held on 16 February.
A reproduction of an 18th century portrait of the Dryden family at Canons Ashby House, Daventry, will be on permanent display for visitors thanks to a cheque for £100 from the Quantock Centre. This follows a visit to the house in June.
A further £100 has been given to Croft Castle, near Leominster, which was visited in August. The money is being used for the purchase of binoculars for children who are bird-watching as part of the educational programme at the house.
And £100 has been sent to Farnborough Hall, Banbury, also visited in August. This donation will go towards the general upkeep of a property which is now owned by the National Trust but has been the home of the Holbech family for more than 300 years.
Many members will have been disappointed to learn that they were unsuccessful in the ballot to visit Tyntesfield on 17 October. More than 100 members applied for places and, although it was hoped to run a second coach to satisfy most of the demand, Tyntesfield was unable to accommodate the extra numbers then or even soon afterwards.
Jim Clifford, Chairman of the Programme Sub-Committee, says: “We have applied to go again in September or October 2008. Those members who were unsuccessful in the ballot and would like to go on next year's visit will be given top priority.”
A Special General Meeting to confirm the new financial year for the Quantock Centre was held on 6 October preceding the afternoon talk at West Monkton Village Hall, Monkton Heathfield. Members voted unanimously for the change and the Centre's financial year will now run from the 1 January to 31 December each year.