Annual Report 2006 - 2007 |
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Introduction This is the first new-style annual report of the Circle's operations intended to draw together the main strands of its activities in the preceding year. Meetings The Circle met 13 times (including the Annual General Meeting, held, with the exception of the August meeting (in the Reform Club, Royal Avenue) in the Ulster Museum. The Circle is grateful to the Museum for making accommodation available free of charge. Ave Atque Vale In September 2006 Jimmy Hawthorne, the Circle's founder and Secretary, passed away after a short illness, greatly missed by all his friends and colleagues. Plaques Eight plaques were unveiled during the year (three more than in the previous year) - James Bell Crichton VC_____________24 April 2006
All the events were well-attended and received extensive media coverage. Notes about the events, and photographs, are published on the Circle's website. Missing Plaque Despite many contacts over the year, the plaque for George Dickson, Rose Grower, which had disappeared from the Strangford Arms Hotel in Newtownards, has not yet been replaced and efforts continue to get the owner to co-operate. New Plaques The following new candidates were identified - Belfast's First Lying-in Hospital Dictionary of Ulster Biography Following clearance from QUB, as publisher, the Dictionary of Ulster Biography was moved to its own website in May 2006. Up to the 31 March 2007, the site had registered just under 3,200 visitors. During the year the Circle also agreed in principle to purchase the copyright from Kate Newmann. Heritage Lottery Fund Following the submission of a revised application to the Fund it was decided that the payment and monitoring regime of the over £50,000 grant sought was too onerous for a small voluntary organisation and a fundamental review of the requirement was undertaken. In consequence, a new application with scaled down plans was submitted in March and at the end of the year was under consideration by the Fund. Other matters National Grid for Learning: The British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (Becta), following a review of its website design and content, discontinued the National Grid for Learning. However, the Ulster History Circle's website continues to be available to teachers through the Agency's main website. Trade Mark: An approach has been made to have the Circle's name, logo and blue plaque design registered as a trademark. By the end of the year no progress had been made. Financial Report The audited Accounts are attached. 28 April 2007 Audited Accounts The audited Balance Sheet for the year is available HERE. Grants Received The Society is grateful to the following for sponsoring blue plaques during the year. Belfast City Council___________________£1200 (Joe Bambrick, James Magennis VC) * Not yet erected Financial Code of Practice The Code of Practice, adopted by the Circle at its meeting on 5 November 2004, sets out officers' roles and responsibilities and the processes of record maintenance, budgetary control, financial reporting, account preparation and audit. Society Website The Society's web site received 5000 visitors between 1 April 2005 and 31 March 2006. The Dictionary of Ulster Biography web site www.ulsterbiography.co.uk had over 3,300 visitors between going live on 5 June 2006 and 31 March 2007. P. DEVLIN Treasurer |
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