LANGFORD & DISTRICT HISTORY SOCIETY
Minutes of the 42nd Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, 4 February 2026
at Langford Church Hall
Present:, Mary Blossom, Ann Currell, Stuart Fairclough, Anthony Lock, Ruth Lock, John Shipman, Richard Smith, Rowena Wolfe.
Apologies for Absence: Trish Brickell, Jenny Broadbridge, Tracey Burley, Christine Isaac, Graham Isaac, Ted Martin, Glenn Rodford, Bill Stacey, Fran Stacey
The meeting opened at 8.01pm
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Approval of the minutes of 41st AGM: The Chairman presented the minutes and asked that they be accepted as a true and accurate record.
Proposed: Stuart Fairclough; seconded: Ruth Lock; motion passed unanimously.
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Matters arising:
Digitisation of historic photos: Theo Goble has made copies available on a publicly accessible shared site but would not be giving us copies on disc. Rowena will check the details of the shared site so that a link can be provided on the History Society website.
3. Chairman’s Report: The Chairman commented that although this was the lowest AGM attendance she could remember since 1991, there had been a reasonable turnout throughout the rest of the year – apart from the summer visits (the July one having to be cancelled). There was some discussion about increasing publicity and Stuart Fairclough offered to liaise with Ted Martin about producing posters for display on the village noticeboard. Rowena gave thanks to Ann Currell (secretary) for organising a varied programme and John Shipman (treasurer) for the work he does for the History Society and so many other organisations.
Rowena explained that, due to a combination of circumstances, she would be standing down as Chair but was happy to continue to offer support otherwise. She was, however, aware that Ruth Lock was willing to take on the role if elected. Rowena was thanked for her service to the Society and presented with a bowl of hyacinths.
After some discussion, it was agreed that the remainder of this meeting would be run by Rowena.
4. Treasurer’s Report: John Shipman had prepared copies of the accounts which were circulated. The accounts demonstrated income for the year as £953.40 against expenditure of £668.72, showing a balance of £284.68. The total funds held by the Society on 31st January 2026 were £1,827.78. It was considered that membership subscription fees and meeting / visitor charges should remain unaltered (i.e. annual subscription £5 per person; meeting charges – member £3 / visitor £5).
Proposed: Rowena Wolfe; seconded: Ann Currell; motion passed unanimously
5. Election of Officers and 2026 Committee:
Election of Chair: Ruth Lock was happy to stand as Chair; there were no other candidates.
Proposed: Ann Currell; seconded: Richard Smith; motion passed unanimously.
Election of Treasurer: John Shipman was happy to serve again as Treasurer.
Proposed: Rowena Wolfe; seconded: Ruth Lock; motion passed unanimously.
Election of Committee members: 2025 Committee members – Debbie Clayton, Ann Currell (secretary), Stuart Fairclough, Graham Isaac (website), Ted Martin (vice-chair), Anthony Lock, [Rowena Wolfe] – were happy to serve again.
En bloc: Proposed: Richard Smith; seconded: Mary Blossom; agreed unanimously.
6. Stocks and sale of publications: Currently we hold the following stock of books:
Langford through the lens vol 1 inc. a village walk. Total = 47
Langford through the lens vol 2 Total = 25
Then and now from 2006 Total = 347
At the Long Ford Total = 24
Books are held by John, Rowena and Tracey. The 2025 minutes noted that Ted had clarified for the recent reprints the printer had the data immediately available thus further copies could be actioned quickly (approx. 2-3 weeks), but that Langford through the lens vol 2 would need to be completely re-set and would take much longer (5–6 weeks minimum). It was agreed that Ted would be asked to order reprints of Langford through the lens vol 2 and At the Long Ford. Publications are currently advertised on the website, in the Langford Diary and on the “We love Langford” Facebook page.
7. Website: Graham Isaac had indicated that, unless anybody else would like to do the website, he would be willing to continue updating the website as and when information was provided.
8. Talks and speakers: The now largely complete programme for 2026 was available and had been circulated. The speakers booked would cost £290.50 (plus taxi from Biggleswade, but lifts could probably be arranged). There was discussion about options for the June visit plus the July and December Socials. The potential of a June visit to Southill Park had been discounted as too expensive; Cardington was a possibility (following up from talks)? Ann would continue looking for alternatives. If transport was proving to be an issue, use of Community Bus services (Ivel Sprinter / Wanderbus) could be explored. It was suggested that the July Social could include strawberries, scones, a quiz and trying to identify old photographs.
Volunteers: Rowena would set up rota(s) for volunteers to assist with the putting out of chairs; tea / coffee preparation; and washing up to cover future meetings.
9. Any other business:
Langford Village Fete: It was agreed that the Society would like to have a stall at the Fete on Saturday 11th July, which might be an opportunity to publicise the Society and sell some books. John Shipman would book a stall. The Christmas Lights Switch-On could also provide a further opportunity for a stall later in the year but the date was not yet available.
Langford Lend-a-Hand: This is a new scheme being set up which will try to link volunteers who may be able to offer assistance with village groups and organisations. Whilst there may be an opportunity to raise awareness of the History Society, it was thought possible that the scheme may be of interest to members who wish to be volunteers?
Archive items: Rowena brought along some photographs and paintings that had recently been donated to the Society. These were put on display and Stuart Fairclough offered to organise them into folders.
The meeting closed at 9.07 pm.
Signed Chair