Autumn Gathering

We returning to Unstone Grange for this year's Autumn Gathering, and we welcome the chance to catch up in person. The dates of the meeting are Friday 28th October late afternoon to Sunday 30th October 2022 after lunch.

The meeting includes a brief review of this year's events, reports from taskholders and local groups, and consideration / approval of proposals for events for 2023. There will also be plenty of time for socialising, chats and walks, so that the weekend becomes a mini-event; enabling us to come together in community whilst completing the essential work of shaping the future of ECC.

The cost of this weekend is subsidised by ECC and will be £70 for waged members, and £40 for concessions. The Bookings Organiser is Shaun Kent.

The formal AGM of ECC Ltd will also take place during this weekend; this is when we approve previous minutes and the treasurer's report, elect members to the Maintenance Group and other posts, and deal with any motions submitted for discussion.

Event bids for 2023

We rely on community members to step forward to organise our events, so now is the time to think about whether you'd like to be part of one of our organising teams next year. Organising is a great way to learn more about ECC, to make new friends and to explore the topics that really excite you. We always try to match experienced organisers with those who are new to taking the reins, and you'll be supported by the MG. You even get a free place as reward for your efforts! If you're already thinking of an event and have a team in mind, speak to them now and prepare a bid in good time for the AG to consider. If you'd like to be involved but don't have a plan or a team already, the MG can help. We would particularly like to hear from men who'd like to join the teams for our regular Lakeland events at Wasdale and High Close. If you have ideas for themed events or new venues - fantastic! Speak to the MG now about what you'd like to do, and get your bids in by at least mid-October.

Maintenance Group vacancy

Last year saw longstanding members of the Maintenance Group (MG) – Jimmy MacSweeney, David Wray, and Jon Homer – stepped down after providing a considerable number of years of service.  The 2021 AG approved three new members for the Maintenance Group – Shaun Kent (treasurer), Mike Kaye (Company secretary), and David Shackleton (ECC newsletter and other matters). Sadly, David has had to step down for personal reasons, so we will be seeking at least one more man to join the group and help take us forward into 2023 and beyond. Anyone interested in the position is encouraged to speak to any member of the MG before the AG, particularly if they are unable to attend in person.

Other taskholders supporting the MG have volunteered to continue in role - Duncan Weaver, who manages the website and holds the ECC archive, and Dave Edwards who looks after the database and the ECC groups on social media. Holders of these posts do not have a stipulated maximum term, but it is possible for members to stand for election to them at the AG.

Unstone Grange

Unstone Grange, in the village of Unstone near Sheffield, has hosted many ECC events over the years, most recently in July/August for ‘Sharing our Stories’. The resident community will be welcoming us back for our AG. We will have exclusive use of the roomy, relaxed main house, set in its 5 acres of organic gardens, and with pleasant local walks within easy reach. Millthorpe, the village where Edward Carpenter lived for 40 years, is also only a few miles away.
unstonegrange.co.uk 

Covid-19 Precautions

Covid-19 remains a concern and whilst the latest variants appear to be milder, they also appear to be more infectious.  Accordingly, to help manage concerns, we would ask AG participants as a minimum to take an LFT test for Covid-19 on Friday 28th October 2022, the day of arrival.  Anyone who tests positive should not attend.  We will give full refunds to anyone who is unable to, or decides not to, attend the AG because of concerns about Covid-19.