Rye Conservation Society held its 46th AGM in the Town Hall last Friday April 27 and a certain level of excitement was expected because of a contested nomination for the office of chairman.
John Griffiths was not standing for re-election and David Bookless, Hon. Secretary of the Society, and Anthony Kimber duly registered their nominations.
Each candidate having provided a personal manifesto, the election process was eagerly awaited, with a certain amount of canvassing of members, with the result that the attendance on the day achieved surely a record of some 90 paid-up members.
Following the customary reports by chairman and treasurer, Kenneth Bird, one of the Society’s vice-presidents was authorised with the consent of those present to act as chairman for the election process.
This had been advertised as being by show of hands, but members expressed their preference in strong terms for a secret ballot.
Each candidate was given four minutes to present his vision for the Society’s future and his credentials for undertaking office. Following questions to each from the floor, the two appointed tellers collected the voting papers and counted them under supervision from the chairman.
The result was declared, 50 votes for David Bookless and 35 for Anthony Kimber, whereupon the former took the chair and, completing the agenda business, concluded the meeting.
Before doing so however, he proposed that John Griffiths be nominated as the Society’s president. This was seconded by Julian Luckett, vice-chairman, who paid tribute to the outgoing chairman, and the motion was approved with applause.
Photo: Kenneth Bird
