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BERKSHIRE AUTOMOBILE
CLUB
Arrangements for Henley
The annual general meeting of the Berkshire Automobile Club was held at the
Great Western Hotel on Saturday. [June 4, 1921]. Major E.R.Portal
presided, and there were also present Mrs. Loder-Symonds, Capt.
W.Waring, Major Herbert Ingram (hon secretary), Dr. W.B.Secretan, Mr S.
à Court, Mr A.D.Selkirk, etc.
The annual report stated:- Three new members joined the club during the
past year, and three members resigned. The resignations were occasioned
either by the members leaving the country or giving up their cars. To
the great regret of the committee Mr S. à Court found it
necessary to resign office as Hon. Secretary of the club in April, and
the committee have been fortunate in securing the help of Major H.
Ingram as his successor. The committee take the opportunity of
conveying to Mr. S. à Court a hearty vote of thanks for his
services to the club, and to make a presentaiton to him on the occasion
of this retirement. The committee records with the deepeset regret the
death of Dr.J. Hopkins Walters, which causes a vacancy on the committee.
The committee recommends the cancellation of the existing arrangement
for free storage of members' cars a the White Hart Hotel, Windsor, and
the garage of Messrs. Newington and Fancourt, Maidenhead, owing to the
almost negligible use that is made of these facilities, the provision
of which ahs been at a cost of £13 per annum. It is intended to
retain two lock-up boxes at the Great Western Garage near Reading
station, in respect of which the old standing arrangement with Mr.
William Vincent will be continued, i.e, that any member can have free
storage for a maximum of 24 hours on end. Any member who wishes to
store his car and who finds the two reserved boxes occupied by cars
belonging to other members, is entitled, by producing his card or badge
of membership of the club, and on signing the register, to free storage
for an equal period at the expense of the club.
A ball was given by the club at the Town Hall, Reading, on April 8th,
1920. All those present considered it a great success and if it had
been patronised by a larger number of members and their friends the
deficit shown would have been avoided.
The weather was so bad at Henely Regatta last year that the
arrangements made for members of the club were but little utilised and
the support given to the club's proposals for catering was so meagre
that all the provisional arrangements had to be cancelled. this year it
is intended to provide an enclosure for cars with tent, chairs and
tables, and frontage to the river with landing stage, but no charge
will be made to members and their friends. It will, however, be
essential for membes to bring their memberhsip cards or drive cars with
the club badge. The enclosure will, as before, adjoin the grounds of
the Phyllis Court Club.
The deficit for the year. £69 15s. 11d., is explained hy the loss
on the ball and Henley, and the presentation to the hon. secretary, but
it is anticipated that unless unforeseen circumstances occur the
accounts for the current year will balance. the assets of the club
amount to £423 4s. 11d., and after deducting certain liabilities
a balance is left of £372 3s. 3d.
The chairman remarked that they were unforutnate at Henley on account
of the weather, but they did their best for the members. They hoped to
have more support this year. But no return was expected from Henley as
it was given as one benefit of membership. He hoped members would avail
themselves of the facilites provided at Henley, as on account of the
replies received they were not going to hold a ball this year, and they
would be able to look after them perhaps a little better than
previously. He wished to draw their attention to the fact that there
would be no charge to members for admission to the enclosure, and
although no catering facilities were to be provided, chairs and tables
would be found for those who cared to bring their own lunch. One other
point he wished to direct members' attention to was that garages would
be provided in Reading only, on account of the small use made of those
at Windsor and Maidenhead.
On the proposition of Mr. S. à Court, seconded by Mr.
A.D.Selkirk, the report and accounts were adopted.
A Dangerous Place
Mr. à Court asked if it could not be arranged with the Reading
Corporation Tramways for their trams not to stop on the bridge near the
Biscuit Factory. The bridge was blocked when they did so and it was
most dangerous for any car following behind into Reading. If the trams
stopped 30 or 40 yards short of the bridge the matter would be remedied.
It was decided to draw the attention of the Cheif Constable of Reading
to the danger.
The following officers were elected: Chairman, Major E.R. Portal;
committee, re-elected with the addition of Mr. E.Garcke; hon.
solicitor, MR. C.H.Dodd; hon, auditors, Messrs. Andrew W. Barr and Co.;
hon. treasurer, Mr E.S. Shrapnell-Smith, C.B.E.; hon secretary, Major
H. Ingram.
The suggestion was made that the next general meeting of members should
be preceded by a luncheon, and this was left for the committee to
consider.
[E.R.Portal, Chairman]
[May 8-22]
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