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NOTTINGHAM AND NOTTINGHAMSHIRE DRAMA ASSOCIATION

Minutes of the Meeting of the Executive Council held on Tuesday 18 September 2012 at East Leake.

Present: Joan Wildgust (Chairman), Roy Ainscough , Bob Wildgust, Mike Stewart, Neil Mackintosh (Treasurer), Jack Barrett, Mel Reynolds, Madeline Lord, Sonya Oates

1 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Tony Vokes, Christine Davison, Howard Whitehurst, Linda Whitehurst.

2 MINUTES AND MATTERS ARISING - The minutes of the previous Council Meeting held on Tuesday 23 July had been circulated and these were signed as a correct record. There were no matters arising.

3 HON TREASURER'S REPORT - as at 18 September 2012

Balance = 7224.3
NS&I = 2277.68
Current = 4772.62
On Hand = 174
Increase = 354.99

SINCE LAST MEETING
INCOME
Play Direction Course
Course Subscriptions - 19 @ £30 ea = $570
Gurd Award
NS&I Interest on £500 Capital Stock @ 0.2% = £1
OPERATIONS
NS&I Interest on NANDA Capital @ 0.2% = £3.55
Subscriptions -
Group Membership - 4 @ £25 ea = £100
EXPENDITURE
Play of the Year Competition
Engraving Belper Cup = £20
Operations
Secretary's Expenses = £6
Swinton Commercial - Israel Gordon Insurance Premium = £293.56

END-OF YEAR ACCOUNTS AS AT 31 AUGUST 2012
OVERALL RESULT
Total INCOME = 6075.83
Total EXPENDITURE = 4906.45
PROFIT = 1169.38
The full statement to be forwarded for auditing, and circulated to members prior to presentation at January's AGM.

To be considered and discussed at a future meeting - whether penalties should be imposed for late payment of subscriptions.

4 FESTIVALS
a) Play of the Year 12/13 and Dinner
The Chairman reported that information and rules relating to the 2013 festival had been sent out and, to date, two entries had been received - from Blaby Drama Group and Burton Joyce Players. Following on the suggestion that some trophy titles were "out of date" it was agreed that two in particular needed attention:
(i) "Producer of the Year" should be changed to "Director of the Year"
(ii) "Best Presentation" was considered to be too vague, and more thought needed to be given to precisely which aspects of the performance were being assessed.
The trophies were to be examined as soon as they became available to determine how the inscriptions could be altered, ie by changing the name plate on a plinth, or re-engraving a cup.
(b) Youth Festival
Sonya Oates reported that dates have yet to be confirmed. Bob Wildgust had spoken to Gordon Parsons who, it was hoped, might be interested in acting as adjudicator.
(c) One-Act Play
Bob Wildgust reported that letters had not yet been sent out, due to a delay in finding an adjudicator, but imminent confirmation was expected from Sarah Warnsby, after which the letters would be sent.

5 DIRECTORS' COURSE
All set to go ahead with the first session on Friday 21 September, with 22 participants. A very enthusiastic response has resulted in a reserve list for a possible re-run in January 2013.

6 SHUG RESPONSE
Roy Ainscough reported on the recent meeting with the military at which it was confirmed that the theatre would only be available at weekends for productions by local groups, though it was conceded that "two or three" members might be allowed in for setting up during the week. The intention was to renovate the theatre, but only in order to use front of curtain. SHUG, however, put forward the argument that if the theatre was to be restored, then logic would suggest that it should be used as a theatre. SHUG was planning to meet officers of Rushcliffe Borough Council asking them to support this stance, and member groups were to be asked to write to Mike Dowdswell, cc Roy, reiterating their support.
It was also suggested that disabled theatre groups might be contacted, to get their advice on therapeutic benefits that could be gained.

7 ARCHIVE MATERIAL
Roy Ainscough and Mike Stewart were to have another visit to the archives to try to account for an apparent loss of material between 1979-1997. Also, the Chairman and Secretary to look at any gaps between 2006-2011.

8 THEATRE LUNCH
Jack Barrett reported that, because the Playhouse and the Theatre Royal were currently employing good actors but not necessarily "celebrities" he was finding it very difficult to find speakers. However, Kenneth Alan Taylor and Billy Ivory were suggested as possibilities, and Jack undertook to approach them. It was also suggested that non-actors such as the General Manager of the Theatre Royal might make very entertaining speakers, and could be considered in the future.

9 NEWSLETTER/WEBSITE
Mike Stewart reported that records showed an average of 71 performances per year over the last 30 years, with no less than 76 performances last year.

8 CORRESPONDENCE
Maggie Andrew has taken over from Christine Davison as Secretary of The Peoples Theatre.

10 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 23 October at 7.00 at Nuthall

There being no further business, the meeting ended at 9.07 pm