The well-attended meeting took place at the Pottergate Centre in Alnwick on 21st May.

The Committee Report was presented by the Chairman, Kay Seymour-Walker. He congratulated the AVRS team (William Stafford, Dave Shell and Craig Owen) that had retained the ‘Flat Bottom Trophy’ in the annual quiz against the Gunnerton Railway Circle. He then reported on the repurchase of the Alnmouth cottages by the Alnwick Council and the forthcoming creation of the new car park on the down side of the main line. The Society had been well represented at events held at Shildon, Brunton, Rothbury and the Chain Bridge Honey Farm. New plans had been drawn up for the proposed Lionheart Station and were available for inspection at the Meeting. Donations of a Portakabin and a caravan to the railway were welcomed. These would, in the first instance, serve as a station building and messroom respectively. (Other matters will be referred to in the Chairman’s Report elsewhere in The Link.)

Tom Spence presented his Treasurers Report for the accounts of both the Society and the Trust. These were adopted and Mrs Catherine Sanderson was appointed as Accounts Examiner for the next year.

An election took place for the vacancies on the Committee which arose as a result of ‘on rotation’ retirements and as a result of two persons indicating that they did not wish to continue in their present posts. Those elected, or re-elected, were Neil Brison, William Stafford, Chris Freeman and Mark Hayton.

Michael Smithson, the Aln Valley Trust Secretary, then made a presentation on the relationship between the Trust and the Society, and answered various questions from the floor. There was some lively debate! He referred specifically to the problems which had arisen in drawing up the Lease with the Northumberland Estates for the trackbed and proposed station site. He invited interested parties to put their names forward as new Trustees.

Before adjourning for refreshments, the Meeting recorded its thanks to various individuals who had worked hard on behalf of the Society in connection with the Society Magazine, the Sales Stand and refreshments at Meetings.