Meeting of the Friends of Castleshaw Roman Forts Committee

Held at the Railway Inn, Greenfield: Thursday 18th October 2012

1) Attendees: Mike Buckley, Rosalind McKenna, Colin Berry, Sonia Allen, Peter Holford Nora Moncur, John Moncur, Rob Isherwood, Sue Warrington, Jackie Renshaw, Paul Renshaw, Apologies were received from Norman Redhead, Phil Barrett, Sue Exon

2) Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as a correct record.

3) Membership Forms:  Draft membership form circulated  Need printed forms as well as web version  Agreed that there should be no signature on form as this would prevent on-line applications and payment  Agreed to set up paypal account so members can pay on line  Family membership will cover everyone in a household

4) Charity Status HMRC Charity Number will enable to enjoy charitable status and get tax relief on subs.

5) Programme 2013  Oct to April Lecture programme to run from October to April  Meetings at Museum  Wednesdays or Thursdays preferred dates Check dates with museum.  Agreed to charge £2 members £3 non-members per lecture  Norman’s lecture ideas passed to Sonia  Mike to give first lecture in January on History of Castleshaw Valley  Walk round Roman Manchester  Tour of Melandra  Trip to York  Talk on Hadrian’s Wall and trip  Trip in Summer  Social Event in April  AGM/Social Event September

6) Archives  Agreed to set up Sub-Group under guidance of Roz and Rob with Sue and Jackie as also as members.  Catalogue and make a database of all archives relating to excavations at Saddleworth.  Sub-group to report back on progress at next meeting.

7) Website  The book Saddleworth 712 is awaiting permission to be available on line.  Norman’s excavation of the Iron Smelting site is live on the website.  Offer of personal email addresses linked to the website are available to committee members.

8) Treasurers Report  Nothing to report at present.  Meeting with Alan Schofield pending.

9) Publicity & Recruitment  Notices of lectures and general publicity will be Email out to members and interested parties.  A newsletter also will be distributed exclusively in this way  Recruitment literature will be sent out to existing members of Saddleworth Archaelological Trust Friends.  SHS will also be asked to circulate to their members.  Membership forms will be handed out at their December meeting to FSAT.  Saddleworth Civic Trust will also be approached to email forms to their members.

 Rob will do a talk to each primary schools  Nora will produce posters for lectures and events and a general recruitment poster.  Committee members will put of posters in different villages and areas. - Oldham, Springhead, Austerlands, Lees, Grotton - Nora & John - Dobcross - Mike - Uppermill - Peter - Greenfield - Paul & Jackie - Delph - Sue - Rochdale - Rob - Diggle - Colin - Denshaw - Roz - Marsden - ?

10) Fundraising  Fundraising ideas were discussed.  A possible event in April each year and possibly another in September was proposed.  A Roman themed night was suggested for next April  Roz agreed to lead a social committee to develop ideas and organise events

11) AOB  FSAT will probably wind-up if members vote for this at their meeting in December.  If this happens the assets will possibly be transferred to FoCF

12) Next Meeting  Thursday 22 November 7.30pm at The Railway, Greenfield  There will probably not be meeting in December and January will be the next meeting.