A report on the 75th Anniversary AGM of the Newman Association held at the Birmingham Oratory in June 2017.
As a fitting celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the founding of the Newman Association in 1942, the Association chose to hold the 2017 Annual General Meeting at the Birmingham Oratory. This was where the Blessed John Henry Newman lived for most of the second half of his life, from 1849 until his death in 1890.
In addition to the formal business of the AGM, members had the opportunity to view the majestic, if somewhat sombre, Oratory church, as well as take time to pray at the shrine dedicated to John Henry. Thirty-six Members and Associate Members of the Association then convened for the AGM, which was opened by Acting President Tony Holland, who read out a warm letter of welcome from Archbishop Longley of Birmingham (the text of which is printed separately at the end of this report).
The 2016 AGM had been informed of progress on the Hinsley Hall initiatives, and so it was not surprising that an update on current progress was on the agenda this time. A paper outlining a policy for taking the Association forward had been circulated with the papers for the AGM, and John Sibbald, the author, commented on its contents. Formal proposals will be put to the 2018 AGM for adoption and implementation covering, amongst other matters, the redrafting of the Constitution, and the Memorandum and Articles of Association, to reflect current Charities Commission requirements. Tony Holland asked that any queries be addressed to him via the Secretary, Brian Hamill.
Tony Holland moved the business briskly forward, but worth noting is information from the Treasurer, Kevin Ryan, that Circles can now claim Small Donations Gift Aid on donations income received (but not on admission charges). Kevin will be writing to Circles to specify how they should proceed, and what records they will need to keep.
Otherwise, he lamented the further fall in interest receivable on the Association's reserves, with Secure Trust's rate down to 1.25 per cent and Virgin Bank's being cut from 1.00 to 0.75 per cent. In the circumstances £50,000 of the Newman's funds was being transferred to COIF, a Common Investment Fund, or charity fund managed by the Church Commissioners. This uses an ethical investment strategy and should pay over 3 per cent annually, producing an increase in the Association's investment income of about £1,100, although with some exposure to capital risk.
Brian Hamill, the Secretary, welcomed the formation of a new Circle in Swansea. Then he said he had represented the Association at the Benefactors' meeting in Durham and he was currently looking to refresh the relationship with the Centre for Catholic Studies in Durham.
He was less positive about the results of his work in establishing links with student bodies and representatives. The relationship with York Catholic Society had not developed as hoped. He commented that the modern Catholic student was being brought up on a different theological diet compared with the preoccupations of the typical Newman member: the students today had no real appetite for intellectual discussion but might be more interested in activity related to Catholic Social Teaching.
The young, he concluded, want to do something active. Brian had put considerable personal effort into promoting talks to students; two events had been arranged, the subjects being The Trinity and Exorcism, but only five students turned up.
The major cause for concern that arose during the AGM, and this is perhaps symptomatic of the situation in which the Association finds itself, came at the Election of Officers. Tony Holland lamented that no Member had presented himself or herself for the office of President. He asked for volunteers from the floor, but nobody was willing to stand. Tony concluded the elections by asking all present to consider over lunch whether they might be willing to take on the role.
John Sibbald, Kevin Ryan, Tony Holland, Brian Hamill & John Potts
The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks from Anthony Baker on behalf of the Association to Birmingham Circle and to Tony Holland. Lunch was then held at the Plough & Harrow.
This was a lunch to celebrate the 75th birthday of the Association and it was attended by just under 40 people. We thank members of the Birmingham Circle for organising this event, and putting in place the large yellow poster which proclaimed the anniversary at the AGM. Members enjoyed a substantial three-course meal.
In particular we are grateful to Winifred Flanagan for providing the lavish birthday cake and also for subsidising the wine served during the meal. Her generosity was greatly appreciated. After the meal the cake was cut into individual portions and distributed to members, to their great enjoyment.
Winifred Flanagan
The programme continued in the afternoon with a talk by David McLoughlin, Senior Lecturer in Theology at Newman University, Birmingham. Unfortunately a final Mass could not be celebrated as usual at this year's AGM because of the unavoidable absence of our National Chaplain, Father Fabian Radcliffe.
