From: The President The Provost's Lodge

Eton College

Windsor

Berkshire

SL4 6DH

The Society has had another enjoyable and interesting year. The programme of talks and visits continues to attract good numbers of the Society. The highlight of the year for me was the Annual Dinner at Dorney Lake , attended by nearly 200 people. Our new Chairman had enticed Baroness Williams to come as guest of honour and she gave a memorable talk. It was an auspicious start to David Murray Bruce’s time as Chairman.

After eight happy years as your President I think the time has come for me to step aside in favour of a younger person. The new Governor of the Castle, Surgeon Vice Admiral Ian Jenkins, has accepted an invitation from the Society to take over from me as President at the AGM in October. I am delighted to have as successor a man of such distinction, and, more importantly, a man whose genial presence and obvious interest in Windsor have already endeared him to many of our members. I shall look back on my time with the Society with great pleasure but also look forward with every confidence in its future.

Eric Anderson

With effect from 1 April 2008, all charities must demonstrate explicitly that their aims are for the public benefit. The Annual Report that follows indicates the many activities that the Society undertakes in order to carry out its Aims for public benefit.

Chairman’s Review

This has been another eventful year for the Society, during which I took over the Chair and have had great support both from the Executive Committee and members. Janet Dunn resigned from the Committee having taken early retirement from the Brigidine School . The Society particularly appreciates Janet enabling the Society to hold evening meetings at the school, a perfect local venue with ample parking. It was disappointing but inevitable that the Senior Schools’ debate had to be cancelled due to the last minute withdrawal of the principle speaker; we are looking at how, and indeed whether, to reinstate this event which involves considerable organisation.

As you will have read on the preceding page, 2007/2008 is the final year in office for our President, who has provided invaluable support to three Chairmen during the eight years of his Presidency. It is also because of Sir Eric that the Society has been able to hold meetings at Eton College and that this facility will continue. Sir Eric presided at our Annual Dinner where our guests included the (then newly installed) Governor of Windsor Castle and Constable, Surgeon Vice Admiral Ian Jenkins, the first ever doctor to hold this position, and his wife Mrs Liz Jenkins. Later in the year I was delighted, as was Sir Eric, when Ian readily agreed to become our next President.

The Heritage and Environment sub committee, chaired by Karin Lohr, meets monthly, which I try to attend, and members are in regular contact with the RBWM Council over, for example, planning applications and progress, and the state of central Windsor . It has been tremendous to once again have regular quarterly meetings between this committee and the Head of Planning for the council, Tim Slaney, and also to have had present Councillor Derek Wilson and most recently Councillor John Fido who is one of the Councillors assigned to the Society.

I am indebted to the members of the Executive committee for the roles they continue to fulfil. We advertise with the latest Newsletter for members to take over the ‘Newsletter’ and the ‘Talks’, and at the latter we could not do without the dedicated sound team of Mike Willcocks, David Alexander and David Thomson. They will soon become the sound and vision team as the Society is investing in a Powerpoint Projector which most speakers now need.

I am also indebted to the staff of Mailbox who print the Newsletters and to Richard Model who arranges the printing of this report, the Events Programme and the Dinner Menu.

Annual Dinner

About 150 members and guests attended the Annual Dinner held for the first time at the Dorney Rowing Lake Clubhouse. The chosen date for the dinner of Friday 7 March 2008 coincided with the Windsor Festival Spring weekend, and, thanks to the Director of the Festival, Martin Denny, became incorporated into that weekend which boosted the numbers to almost 200, a near record for the Clubhouse. Gordon Franklin, past Chairman of the Society and a lay preacher, delivered a most suitable grace, and after dinner the President proposed the loyal toast. The Deputy Mayor of Windsor, Councillor Mrs Dorothy Kemp proposed the toast to the Society and the Chairman replied, covering some of the Society’s achievements and plans, the helpful links and meetings with members of the Council of the Royal Borough and emphasising what the Society had been doing for the benefit of the local population. He read out a supportive letter from the M.P. for Windsor, Adam Afriyie, a member of the Society and also highlighted the presence at the dinner of Dick and Sylvia Shaw, Dick having been Chairman 43 years earlier for 6 years and Sylvia, celebrating her birthday, was presented with an arrangement of flowering plants. The Chairman then, having spoken about the venue, proposed the toast to the Society’s guests who also included the new Governor of Windsor Castle, Surgeon Vice Admiral Ian Jenkins and his wife Liz and the Guest of Honour, the Baroness Williams of Crosby who responded with an entertaining and thought provoking topical speech which was much appreciated and included her views of the then contenders for the White House.

Talks

The talks have been very well attended and the afternoon experiment has proved that many members prefer not to go out in the winter evenings.

There was a wide variety of speakers, ranging from a charity called 'Mercy Ships' by Veronica and Adrian Stabbins, to the ‘Tsars of St.Petersburg’ by Major Paul Whittle. The lecture on the Queen's Flight by Graham Laurie was followed in December by a non event as, due to the icy weather, the speaker could not get to us from Haddenham in Buckinghamshire. However, our Chairman enlightened us by explaining some vagaries of the NHS and three of our members swapped Ghost stories. At nine o clock David suggested that we all return home while the roads were safe. We must thank those of the Committee who waited in vain outside in the car park in the freezing air for the speaker. At our annual visit to Eton College , Penny Hatfield told us about the great differences in the life of a boy at Eton in 1901 and today. Roderick Watson described the making of Dorney Lake where we were going for our annual Dinner later in the year.

We gratefully thank Sir Eric Anderson for allowing us to use Election Hall at Eton for a meeting, the Headmistress of Brigidine School and the committee of Gardeners’ Hall for other meetings.

I would like to remind you all that the first meeting of our 2008/9 programme is on Thursday September 11^th at Brigidine School at 8pm when Dr.Brigitte Mitchell will speak on Charles Knight Senior and Charles Knight Junior who founded the Windsor and Eton Express nearly 200 years ago.

Newsletter

The main purpose of the quarterly newsletter is to maintain contact with those who are unable to attend talks and outings and to keep all members informed about the activities of the Society. During the past year copies have been published and distributed to all members in August and November 2007, and in February and May 2008.

Outings

We left Windsor on a pleasant October morning and arrived at the Apothecaries Hall to be greeted by The Beadle, John Williams, who gave us an interesting introduction to The Society of Apothecaries, which was incorporated by Royal Charter from King James I in 1617. The first Hall was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666 and the Society immediately set about re-building. The Parlour contains a large wall-to-wall showcase of many of the Society's apothecaries' drug jars and pill tiles; there are also paintings of past Masters and a cabinet of miniatures of more recent past Masters, including Dr John Briscoe. The windows on the east and west sides of the Great Hall contain stained glass Coats of Arms of past Masters and former Officers of the Society, and the walls are hung with portraits. The Court Room is dominated by two large stained glass windows of the Society's Coat of Arms & the Stuart Royal Arms. We went to Lincoln ’s Inn Fields to have lunch, twenty members then visited the Sir John Soane’s Museum and the rest of our party went to The Royal College of Surgeons of England ’s Hunterian Museum . Both museums are very interesting in totally different ways, the former a treasure trove from Roman and Greek antiquities to paintings by Hogarth and the latter is one of Britain ’s greatest medical museums, based on the collection of the 18th century surgeon John Hunter. We all agreed that we had had a very good day in London . 34 members took part in this outing.

We arrived at Woburn Village on a pleasant sunny April morning, in good time for coffee, before going through the deer park to Woburn Abbey, an absolute treasure trove, housing one of the most important private art collections in the world, the highlight being the Canalettos in the dining room. We visited the Gold Vaults, and the gardens which were also very interesting, as was the Antiques Centre. Good refreshments were available at the Flying Duchess Pavilion, and as an added bonus we were the only coach party that day. 42 Members took part in this outing.

We left Windsor at 9 o’clock sharp for our June outing, and, after a coffee stop at Clackett Lane Services on the M25, arrived in Rochester just after 11 o’clock. Members were then free to explore Rochester and have lunch. We met up again at Restoration House at 1 o’clock and split into two groups for the guided tour. The House is stunning and has been lovingly restored by its present owners, Robert Tucker and Jonathan Wilmott. The furniture and paintings, several by Gainsborough, are very interesting. Charles Dickens based Satis House, Miss Haversham’s home in Great Expectations, on Restoration House. After the tours, we enjoyed delicious tea and cakes provided by the British Red Cross Society in the beautiful garden. 41 Members took part in this outing.

Music

On Wednesday 13th February 2008 in St. George's School , Windsor , there was a violin and piano recital of light classical music by two talented musicians, Harriet Mackenzie and Christina Lawrie.

Harriet studied at the Royal Academy of Music, graduated with First Class Honours and Dip RAM., and was leader of all the orchestras at the Academy for performances at the Royal Albert Hall, Wembley Arena and in Radio City , New York .

Christina went to Chetham's School of Music and then read Music at the University of Cambridge . After graduation, the Royal College of Music awarded her a Leverhulme Postgraduate Studentship to study with Yonty Solomon.

The recital commenced at 7.30 p.m., and was well attended with the audience most appreciative of the performers, and able to meet them in the interval.

This recital was again supported by the Royal Albert Institute Trust, and the Society is most grateful for this.

Heritage and Environment

At last year’s AGM, a number of Windsor and Eton Society members raised concerns about graffiti and litter in Windsor Town Centre: members of the Heritage and Environment sub committee, (HESC), took action to tackle the problem target areas of the King George V Memorial, Prince Christian statue, Chariots Place and Bachelors Acre. The relevant Council officers were contacted and, by regularly reporting specific locations, we are delighted that there has been a significant reduction in graffiti and litter although we must not be complacent.

In the autumn, members of the Society joined with the Parish Church management group in clearing and tidying the church gardens on a number of occasions. The gardens are very beautiful and we were pleased to be of assistance.

The Society celebrated National Tree Week in December. With assistance from Helen Leonard, the Royal Borough's tree co-ordinator, 60 were mulched. The trees on the Osborne Road roundabout are particularly special to the Society as this is where we planted trees for the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

Last year the Society had a very pleasant surprise. Near to the King George V Memorial, the Marks and Spencer Centenary plaque was discovered. It was very difficult to decipher the writing on the plaque so the Society contacted the relevant person at Marks and Spencer. Shared funding was achieved to restore the plaque, add a new plaque and improve the garden. Over 30 people attended the unveiling of the plaques by the Mayor of Windsor on 23 April 2008.

The HESC meets monthly to discuss current planning applications and make representations where appropriate. The past year’s concerns included Caleys, Daniels, Aurora Garden Hotel, the Laundry Site in St Leonards Road , Sports Centre Helston Lane , Bentley House and the Chapel in the Convent.

Two members regularly attend the RBWM's planning stakeholders quarterly meetings where concerns about heritage and environment matters are lodged. The Society holds quarterly meetings with the Head of Planning and Councillors to discuss current issues and where we have responded to the RBWM's Local Development Framework consultation, together with Imperial Park and Alexandra Gardens proposals.

Continuing with the theme of town centre improvements, the HESC is seeking improvements to the pavements and identifying areas where landscaping could be improved; for example having some plants around the Waitrose area in King Edward Court where the flower beds have been removed. Concerns over certain trees have also been addressed by the Council.

Whilst the Royal Borough unfortunately did not proceed with the Park and Ride proposal, the HESC would still like to see a Park and Ride on the South Field with access/egress only from the Relief Road, so as to alleviate the traffic coming into Windsor .

A representative from the HESC attends the RBWM's Cycle Forum with a view to encouraging more secure bicycle parking racks in the town centre. Also with respect to transport, the HESC, together with the West Windsor Residents’ Association, held a public meeting in Homers School which around 100 people attended to hear about the government's latest proposals for Heathrow. A written objection has been raised relating to both a Sixth Terminal and a third runway at Heathrow. The government's decision is still awaited.

Membership

The membership of the Windsor and Eton Society is 517, an increase of 16 on last year. 36 members joined and there were 21 deaths and resignations.

The membership consists of 298 joint members and 219 single members. The majority, 65%, live in Windsor ; 8% in Old Windsor, 4.5% in Datchet and 4.5% in Eton . The vast majority are in Berkshire and Surrey, but some live in a further 10 counties and it is encouraging that some members who have moved away wish to keep in touch with the "goings-on" in Windsor and Eton .

We continue to urge members to sign Gift Aid forms, allowing the Society to reclaim tax paid on subscriptions. As a result of a concerted effort by the Treasurer, John Scott, and me, we now have achieved 310 forms signed out of a possible 364 joint and single memberships, leaving a further possible 54 opportunities to claim tax back from the Government.

October is the time of year for renewal of subscriptions and most of us pay by banker's order. However, 133 members still pay by cheque and we inevitably end up with some forgetting to renew their membership. We urge all those currently paying by cash or cheque to consider paying by banker’s order to avoid the annual risk of forgetting to renew their subscription, thereby creating additional work and cost to the society.

Civic Trust

Since The Annual Report 2007, the Government’s White Paper “Planning for a Sustainable Future” has become The Planning Bill, and reached its final House of Commons stage on 25^th June 2008. The Bill proposes to streamline and accelerate decisions on big infrastructure projects such as nuclear power stations, waste sites, airports, wind farms and motorways. The Civic Trust has argued that the proposals undermine accountability to local voters. The fight to secure amendments will move to the House of Lords. Many of the worst aspects of the Planning White Paper do not appear in The Planning Bill, but there is concern that they could be introduced surreptitiously either in ancillary legislation and guidance or through Ministers making regulations under the Act.

The Civic Trust was involved in a consultation with Ministers to secure a commitment that changes proposed to the Licensing Act 2003 would not bar village halls etc from securing a licence to cover parties, events and bars on their premises.

The Civic Trust reported the Chairman of Natural England saying that in London , front gardens with a total area of 12 square miles (22 times the size of Hyde Park ) were paved over and lost, reducing havens for wildlife, increasing the impact of flash flooding and contributing to climate change.

During the year the Civic Trust launched a campaign to celebrate traditional English manufacturing locations, crafts and skills. It teamed up with David Mellor (cutlery), Emma Bridgewater (china) and others, to offer a range of gifts guaranteed to be made in England .

Philip Kolvin is the new Chairman of the Civic Trust and Griff Rhys Jones, the writer, actor and comedian, its new President.

Following attendance by two committee members at a Civic Trust training event, when advice was given on a civic society’s constitution, a minor change to allow electronic communication (emails and attachments) is proposed for our Society. A new website for Civic Societies was launched by the Civic Trust during the year. It is probable that our Society will have a dedicated page to which information can be uploaded.

The Civic Trust is campaigning with others to reduce Value Added Tax (VAT) on building repairs from 17.5% to 5% as, at present, with demolition costs being free of VAT, it is less expensive to demolish a building than to repair it.

The Civic Trust South East has been resuscitated and its Annual General Meeting took place in May 2008. It will have a website and a regular newsletter.

Local Councils are setting up Scrutiny committees and Civic Societies may be called for questioning. Topics that have been covered are the performance of the Council’s Planning Department, care of historic buildings and policy on abandoned properties, green and open spaces, traffic congestion, footpaths and allotments.

The Heritage White Paper mentioned in the last report was published as the Heritage Protection Bill on 2^nd April 2008 in the form of a draft, subject to further consultation. It will create “The Heritage Register” which replaces scheduling, listing and registering. Designation will be the responsibility of English Heritage. Heritage Asset consent replaces Listed Building Consent and Scheduled Monument Consent, and Conservation Area Consent and Planning Permission will be merged. A “Certificate of Immunity” will guarantee against an owner or developer being suddenly listed during development. There is concern there is no mention of Conservation Areas, and guidance on the implementation of local Heritage Registers has yet to be issued.

THE WINDSOR AND ETON SOCIETY

Income and Expenditure Account for the Year ending 30^th June 2008

Income 2008 2007

Subscriptions (see Note 1) 2,802 2,796

Refund of tax on Gift Aid 675 674

Surplus on Visits 140 752

Surplus on Concerts 11

Surplus on the Annual Dinner 178 133

Bank Interest 548 427

____________________

4,354 4,782

LESS

Expenditure

Administration 294 771

Insurance 280 230

Newsletter 543 575

Annual Report and Programme Cards 664 749

Meetings & AGM 742 754

Donations & Subscriptions to other Societies 221 209

Flower Festival 40 -

Tree Competition 724

Purchase of Display Units 318

Environmental Costs 422

Schools Forum (see Note 2) 50

King George V Memorial Renovation (see Note 3) 250

___________________ 3,506 4,330

Excess of Income over Expenditure for the Year 848 452

Balance Sheet as at 30^th June 2008

Net Assets 2008 2007

Payment due for Music Event 150 196

Payments for Visits to be made in 2008/09 80

Community Account at Barclays Bank 172 182

Charities Official Investment Fund Deposit Account 9,269 8,971

____ _____

9,671 9,349

Less Creditors

Schools Forum Sponsorship for 2007 (See Note 2) 368

Sub. to Civic Society 158

_____ ______

£9,671 £ 8,823

Represented by

General Fund 30^th June 2007 8,823 8,371

Surplus for year 848 452

_____ _____

General Fund as at 30^th June 2008 £9,671 £8,823

Note 1. This is understated by £6 as explained at the October 2007 AGM.

Note 2. £450 was received from Sponsors but as the Forum again had be cancelled this has been refunded. The amount shown is the net cost of early expenses.

Note 3. £500 was received from Marks & Spencer towards the cost of these repairs. The amount shown is the net cost to the Society for this renovation.

J.W.Scott

Honorary Treasurer July 2008

Honorary Treasurer’s Report

The accounts of the Society continue to show a healthy position with expenses being well controlled. We have assisted in two local projects with the financial effects being shown in these accounts. The Heritage and Environment sub committee, especially its Chair and Secretary, have been active in monitoring local matters. All internal events have shown a modest surplus.

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of the Windsor and Eton Society

I report on the accounts for the Society for the year ended 30^th June 2008, which are set out immediately above.

As the Society’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. You consider that the audit requirement of the Charities Act 1993 (the Act) does not apply. It is my responsibility to state, on the basis of procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 43 (7) (b) of the Act, whether particular matters have come to my attention.

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Society and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and, consequently, I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material

respect the requirements

- to keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of

the Act: and

- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records

and to comply with the accounting requirements of the Act have

not been met; or

2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to

enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

S Le Bras

Chartered Accountant

6 Queen Anne’s Court

Peascod St

Windsor . July 2008

Agenda for the Annual General Meeting in Upper School

Eton College on Monday 13 October 2008 at 8 pm.

We stand to remember Society members who have died during the year.

I. Welcome and Apologies.

2. Approve the minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 8 October 2007.

3. Receive a report from the Chairman.

4. Receive and approve the Treasurer’s report and accounts for the year ended 30 June 2008.

5. Re-appoint Mr Stephen Le Bras as Independent Examiner for the ensuing year.

6. Re-elect the following officers:

Chairman Dr David Murray Bruce

Vice-Chairman Mr Dennis Garrett
Secretary Mrs Elizabeth Bye-Jorgensen

Treasurer Mr John Scott

7. Re-elect the following twelve members of the Executive Committee:

Mrs Joan Biggs, Dr John Briscoe, Mr James Clark, Mrs Colleen Garrett, Mrs Margaret Gilson, Mrs Beryl Hedges, Mrs Karin Lohr, Mr Colin Meads, Mr Dennis Neale, Mrs Anne Taylor, Mr Garry Williams and Miss Rosemarie Wood.

8. To resolve that Clause 20 ‘Notices’ of the Constitution be revised to permit electronic communication.

9. Receive any special resolutions. *

10. Receive any matters for general discussion. (Suggestions and limited discussion on matters of public interest are welcomed).

This will be followed by a talk by Paul Roach on his role as Town Manager, Windsor.

* Resolutions must be properly proposed and seconded and submitted to the Secretary at 55 Edinburgh Gardens Windsor SL4 2AW at least ten days prior to the date of the Annual General Meeting.

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held in Upper School , Eton College on Monday 8 October 2007 at 8.00pm.

Welcome and Apologies.

The 61^st Annual General Meeting was opened by the President who welcomed members of the Society to Eton College .

Members stood to remember those who had died during the year.

Apologies were received.

Minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting.

The Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on Monday 9 October 2006 were received and approved.

Chairman’s Report.

The Chairman introduced the Annual Report for 2007, and reviewed some of the recent events since publication of the Report. He asked that all members support the Society’s efforts to eliminate unkempt areas in Windsor town centre.

In stepping down from the position of Chairman, he thanked the President, Committee and all members of the Society for their support during his 3 years of office.

Treasurer’s Report and Accounts.

The Treasurer presented the accounts for the year to 30 June 2007.

The accounts were duly proposed and adopted.

Appointment of Independent Examiner.

The re-appointment of Mr Stephen Le Bras was approved.

Appointment of Chairman

Dr David Murray Bruce was elected as Chairman.

Appointment of Officers.

The following Officers were re-appointed.

Vice-Chairman Mr Dennis Garrett

Secretary Mrs Elizabeth Bye-Jorgensen

Treasurer Mr John Scott

Appointment of Executive Committee.

The following were re-appointed to the Executive Committee: Mrs Joan Biggs, Dr John Briscoe, Mr James Clark, Mrs Janet Dunn, Mrs Colleen Garrett, Mrs Margaret Gilson, Mrs Beryl Hedges, Mrs Karin Lohr, Mr Colin Meads, Mr Dennis Neale, Mrs Anne Taylor, Mr Garry Williams and Miss Rosemarie Wood.

Special Resolutions.

No special resolutions had been received.