CHAIRMAN'S REPORT FOR THE 2010 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

‘The Essex Archaeological & Historical Congress continues to strengthen its position as the largest county historical confederation in the country.  With around 100 members societies, ranging from small village groups, through archaeological societies, museums, civic groups, family history and local history societies in every corner of the county, Congress is the umbrella body for an unrivalled collective knowledge of the heritage of Essex.  Congress proudly continues to represent the whole historic county of Essex, so we include many member societies from areas which are officially part of Greater London but retain their links to Essex.

 

The past year has seen Congress consolidating a range of improvements to the way we promote the county’s history.  The Spring and Autumn meetings at County Hall continue to offer a chance to find out about and discuss topics of current interest.  At the Autumn 2009 meeting, held in workshop format, we were treated to a well-informed overview of how to organize coach parties and visits, something many societies now find increasingly hard to arrange.  The Spring 2010 meeting focused at short notice on the threat to Redbridge Local Studies service and it’s gratifying to report that a vigorous defence of the service subsequently resulted in its being saved from drastic cuts.

 

The annual Archaeological Symposium has been a popular feature of the local history calendar for several decades, and has largely relied on the hard work put in by Dr. Pamela Greenwood.  Very sadly, Pamela’s family circumstances changed suddenly in the middle of 2009 and she was unable to continue organizing the event.  This meant we had to cancel the 2009 Archaeological Symposium for the first time in over thrity years.  However, plans are well advanced to ensure that there will be a 2010 symposium.

 

The Local History Symposium – which takes place every other year – was held in March 2010 with the theme “Flitches and Witches: The Customs & Folklore of Essex”.  Those who attended agreed that it was an enjoyable day with a varied selection of speakers and topics ranging across the whole county from legends of Old Leigh to Fairlop Fair and the Essex witch craze to the Dunmow Flitch.  The next Local History Symposium will take place in 2012, with the provisional theme of “Royalty in Essex” – suggestions welcome for topics or speakers based on this theme.  During the year we have had a welcome proposal from Essex VCH for linking the Congress symposia and other academic discussions such as the place-name seminar.  This will be considered at the 2010 Annual General Meeting.

 

Congress has flown the flag for Essex heritage at other events around the county, including the East of England Family History Fair.  Congress was also called to give evidence to the Essex County Council panel which is developing the county’s further education strategy, as a voluntary provider of educational content (i.e. our symposia).

 

The Annual Report is also an opportunity to thank the hardworking officers of Congress, especially our Secretary, Pauline Dalton and Wendy Hibbitt who are standing down this year.  Both Pauline and Wendy have been tireless advocates for Congress over the past few years, and their contribution has been much appreciated.  Our President, Brian Burton has continued to play a very active role in developing and extending the reach and role of Congress, as has our Vice Chairman in his very valuable role as webmaster.  Last but by no means least, thanks to the effort of our Hon. Treasurer, the financial outlook for Congress has remained healthy despite the dark economic clouds elsewhere.                                        

   Stephen Pewsey Hon. Chairman 

                                                     
 

              TO PRINT THIS PAGE RIGHT CLICK ON TEXT THEN CLICK PRINT IN THE MENU