Committee News

Summary of Committee Meeting held on Tuesday 18th March 2025

The Committee met for the first time at St. George’s Church, the venue providing all that was required apart from any refreshment.

The forthcoming AGM was the main topic for discussion. It was confirmed that John Barnes was standing down from the Committee and a vote of thanks was recorded for all his work on the bookstall and the for the funds he had raised. All other committee members will stand for re-election. The Chairman confirmed the attendance of the Mayor, Councillor Dr. David Jefferys, and the plan to hold the AGM, followed by a tea-break and then the evening’s speaker.

Currently we have no auditor and there was some discussion on the accounts and their presentation. It was agreed that the Treasurer should present them with some background details about changes in particular costs. It was decided that more of our funds should be moved to an interest-earning account.

There followed some discussion on possible daytime meetings and if research groups could be set up. Mike outlined possible “days out” for members during the summer and individual Committee members undertook to investigate individual options for feasibility and cost.

Christine drew attention to the withdrawal of the Microsoft Publisher program which she uses to create Bromleag. With her standalone version this is not an immediate problem and all copies have been saved in pdf format for the future and any change of editor.

A member’s book on Bromley Workhouse is nearing completion and there will be discussions with the author on editing, layout and publishing which the Society has undertaken to fund.

Finally, Simon provided an update on the Central Library move in Bromley. The lending library is likely to be closed for around two months in 2026 and, to start with at least, Archive storage will be off-site and require advance request for access. It will be an opportunity to tidy up the Archive which still contains many duplicate items and non-local documents.

The next meeting date will be advised.