Dear Gosport Society Members,
Thank you to all members who have returned the AGM questionnaire, we very much appreciated the kind comments and suggestions which we have received, regarding the future arrangements for organising the administration of Gosport Society.
The difficulties of finding members wishing to stand for the posts of Officers of Gosport Society and Executive Committee Members was fully discussed at the Executive Committee this morning.
The Executive Committee have agreed on a way forward, we will be discussing proposals with the Trustees of Gosport Society, which we hope will enable the ‘Society’ to continue into the future.
May I remind those who have forgotten to pay their annual subscription due 1st April, that after 3 months from this date, we assume you do not wish to renew your membership. Your details will be removed from our contact list.
Our AGM will take place next month, details of our Treasurers Report and report will be provided and forwarded to you,14 days before the AGM. We are pleased to report our accounts have already been verified by an independent auditor.
Future Speakers Meetings.
Fiona Meredith our Speakers Secretary, is organising a list of meetings which will commence after our summer recess in August. A list of these meetings will be also posted on our web page – www.gosportsociety.co.uk
Planning News.
You may have read in ‘The News’, Gosport Society objected to planning application 25/00096/FUL at the former Browndown Training Camp.
We are pleased to attach a copy of the news article and sincerely hope Gosport Society comments are taken into consideration. Please note, you too could write in with your opinion. Copy of actual GS response can be seen on GBC Planning website.
GOSPORT SOCIETY EVENTS for 2025/2026
Visit to Fort Blockhouse.
The fort has been vacated by the Royal Navy, we are arranging for Gosport Society Members to have a guided tour of the fort which include many Listed buildings. A date is yet to be arranged, but an expected date to be in the Autumn.
Please will you register your interest to secretary@gosportsociety.co.uk or 07542-515014.
Revisit to The Institute of Naval Medicine.
Due to popular demand and the limited spaces available on our last visit, we will be arranging a further visit, after the Autumn. Spaces will be limited again, so if you missed the earlier visit, please confirm asap your interest to attend by contacting secretary@gosportsociety.co.uk or 07542-515014
Tea at ‘The Vine’
After the success of our last informal get-together, we are also holding another meeting at ‘The Vine@ Stoke Road Gosport on 21st May, 2pm, please spread the word, apologises for the short notice, but due to popular request, it is a good chance to just exchange news and socialise. Please confirm you intended attendance 07542-515014 or secretary@gosportsociety.co.uk
Michaelmas Fayre 27th September 2025
Help has been arranged to erect our Gazebo this year, after having to cancel our attendance at the event last year.
We would appreciate members help in staffing the Gosport Society stand, we will be promoting Gosport Society and selling our publications. (as promoted on our webpage www.gosportsociety.co.uk)
A list of time slots for participation is attached, your response would be appreciated.
Baycroft School – Bayfest Thursday 17th July 2025
We have been approached by Baycroft School in Stubbington regarding the above. Gosport Society has been promoting Gosport Society publications with schools in recent years.
The Executive Committee has agreed today that Gosport Society would help the school at this event. Richard C will be discussing with the school, possible provision of Gosport Society publications and the like, in helping raise school funds for education.
Resurrection of Gosport Society Plaque Awards 2025-2026
Also, at today’s Executive Meeting it was unanimously agreed to consider promoting good standards in building restoration. Our planning team are currently investigation a number of projects for consideration. Gosport being blessed by numerous projects that may be worthy of consideration. Further news will follow in due course.
Future of Gosport Society.
At todays Executive Meeting, the committee confirmed its commitment to furthering our aims of Gosport Society. However, we have not resolved any of our concerns regarding sharing the load of administration. We are, however, combined with the support of the current Executive Committee, very fortunate that Fiona Meredith stepping forward to hold the post of Speaker Secretary, and Darryl Downs who helps with newsletter distribution.
Like many other organisations, active members willing to shoulder the responsibility of volunteering for important posts such as Chairman, Vice Chairman, Hon. Secretary & Hon. Treasurer have been lacking. We shall continue to ask members to consider applying for these positions.
We are very fortunate that we still retain a healthy membership, but active volunteers have been lacking. So please spread the word, we need active participation to survive.
We thank you for your continued support, it appears Summer has finally arrived! And we look forward to seeing you at future Speakers Meetings, the AGM and future events.
Richard Cook
Acting Hon. Secretary.