Clan Bannaj! Socfet:~
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clan bannaJ! socfet:~ REPORT AND MINUTES OF THE 22nd ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE CLAN HANNAY SOCIETY HELD AT THE GALLOWAY ARMS HOTEL, NEWTON STEWART, ON JUNE 2nd 1985 The Convener, Ramsay W.R. Hannay of Kirkdale and of that Ilk, opened the meeting and welcomed visitors from overseas by name and also Alex and Bette Hannah, Waking. PRESENT: Ramsay W.R. Hannay, Convener; Jane Clay, Secretary; Donald C. Hannah, Treasurer; Joe and Margaret Hanna, Oklahoma; Jack and Sue Schwamberger, Geneseo, New York; Esther Read, Topeka, Kansas; George Hanna, Maine; Ann I Ewing, Robinsonville, Miss.; Jean Banks, Metairie, Louisiana; Alvan and i Jean Donnan, Delaware; Edna Ehrhardt, Montreal; Lorna Davidson, Ontario; Dr. David Hannay, Kirkdale; Alex and Bette Hannah, Waking; David Hannah, Edinburgh; Edmond and Pauline Clay, Newport; Rosemary Clark, Cumbria; Dorothea Hannah, Edinburgh; Evelyn McArthur, Edinburgh; Marion Hannah, Edinburgh; Harry Clay, Wolverhampton; Walter Hannah, High Altercannoch; I Barbara Hannay, Stranraer; Florence Hannay, Waking; Mary Dalziel, Aberfoyle; Douglas Hannay, Stranraer; Mary) Montgomery, Castlerock, Ireland. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Mrs. M.E. Wood, Waking; Rev. James Hanna, Ohio; Mrs. Elsie Shearer, Glasgow; Patrick Playfair-Hannay of Kingsmuir; Ed. Hanna, Colorado; Bill Hanna, Minnesota; Miss Winifred Shand, Edinburgh; Mr. and Mrs. Stewart Hannay, South Shields; Major James E. Hanna, Toronto. 1. OFFICE BEARERS (a)· Council: The following members due to retire in 1985 were re- elected for another term of four years - (i) Mrs. Marion Hannay, Edinburgh (ii) Mervyn Hanna, Strabane, N. Ireland (iii) Major Gen. James E. Hanna, Canada. Two of our longstanding Clan Councillors expressed the wish to retire from the Council for personal and business reasons - Pipe Major Sandy Foster who has represented the Clan at the Winter Fair Games and other functions in Canada. Robert Hanna Montgomery - a very keen and active member since 1968 who has, over the years, submitted informative and interesting items on the Hannas in Ireland. ·· The Convener paid them tribute and proposed that a letter of thanks be sent to both of them . • 2. It was unanimously agreed that the vacancies caused by the resignations be filled by: (i) William A. Hanna FRCS Ed., Ireland. Proposed by the Convener, Seconded by Hrs. Evelyn McArthur, Edinburgh. (ii) Edmond W. de-la-Mare Clay, Newport. Proposed by the Convener, Seconded by David Hannah, Edinburgh. The following additional Member was elected to the Clan Council - Douglas Hannah, Stranraer. Proposed by the Convener, Seconded by Mrs. Barbara Hannay, Strar.raer. 2. TREASURER'S REPORT: The Accounts and Report were submitted to the meeting and approved. A copy of the accounts is in this report. In view of the heavy commission payable on overseas checks it would help if members would obtain a sterling money order for the equivalent dollar price plus postage. 3. OBITUARIES Mrs. I.J. McFetridge of Nova Scotia, Canada (No. 210) We were very sorry to hear of the death of this early member of the Society in which she took a great interest. We send our deepest sympathy to all her family. Herbert C. Spark of Hexham, Northumberland (236 Ass.) Mr. Spark had a special interest in the Society although he was not a Hannay. He was descended from the ancient family of Viponts which had close connections with Sorbie in the 12th century. He had a very special love for Galloway and Sorbie Tower and r.ever missed an opportunity to visit when in the area. He was proud to be a member of our Society. We send our deepest sympathy to Mrs. Spark who is also very interested in our Clan activities. 4. SECRETARY'S REPORT (a) Membership: The suggestion made at the last AGM that members recruit from their own families appears to work very well - 21 new members in the last 8 months. (b) Stationery: Membership cards and letterheads have now been remodelled and are in use. (c) Genealogy Directory: More membe~s are becoming interested, mostly from ovet·seas, although we have tl-10 from Engiand. So far we have had none from Scotland or Ireland. However, we do not have enough members to set up a Directory in its proposed format. In view of the overseas interest it was agreed to set up a 'Correspondence Register' for the time being. (d) Clan Register: A suggestion was made by Dr. David Hannay that the Clan Register be made available to Clan Members at an economic price. After discussion it was decided to check the cost of printing and postage with a view to setting up this facility. 3. 5. CONVENER'S REPORT (a) Sorbie Tower: Damage was done to the hut in two separate incidents, windows were smashed, paint splashed over the interior and contents taken. The Tower was also damaged, a barrier rail removed and a supporting stone pillar thrown down. The Police were informed and steps taken to deter future vandalism. It is not possible to insure the hut. (b) Registration of the Tartan: This has now been done and a copy of the document was available for perusal. This means that the Tartan is now on the official list of Tartans. The pattern will be available to manufacturers and variations may now appear including the two which were produced for our inspection at the meeting . These were so different and inferior to the official tartan that members were advised to order only from the Treasurer. (c) The Clan Flag: The new Clan flag registered by the Lord Lyon was hoisted at the Tower during the Sorbie Gathering. It comprises a five feet square banner showing the Clan coat of arms. (d) Pinsel: A pennant displayed by someone officially representing the Chief at a Clan event has been ordered and will be presented to the Rev. James Hanna, Ohio, to be used at Clan Gatherings in U.S.A. i (e) Visit to California: The Convener described the visit he and his wife had recently made to California and San Francisco. He had made contact with several families of the name including Dr. Paul Hanna, Stamford University, who, with Theodore Hanna, is very keen to start up a t new branch in that area. 6. HANNAY TRUST This was approved in principle at the Ireland AGM in October 1984. Since then considerable effort has gone into preparing the Constitution which is now largely complete. The difficulty has been defining the objects of the Trust which must be €haritable and precise. After discussion it was resolved to define them as follows:- (1) To assist beneficiaries in straitened circumstances. (2) To assist beneficiaries to further their education. (3) To assist beneficiaries to seek and obtain employment. It was resolved that beneficiaries must bear the name Hannay, Hannah, or Hanna or claim direct descent from such. It was unanimously agreed that the proposal should go ahead. The Trust Deed descrfbes the powers of the Trustees to raise and administer funds and to disburse the income from the Trust Fund in the terms of the objects and although the Trust will function as a separate entity from the Clan Society it was put forward to the meeting that: (a) The Society Convener (b) The Vice Convener (c) The Secretary (d) The Treasurer initially be the Trustees. These were approved and formally appointed. The Trustees will ~ave power to co-opt others as Trustees to act with . them and to appoint their successors. 4. It was agreed to submit the Draft Trust Deed to the Inland Revenue so that charity status would be obtained. 7. ANY OTHER BUSINESS: A suggestion was made by Mrs. Barbara Hannay of Strar.raer that the AGM be held on the day we meet at Sorbie. After discussion it was agreed to leave the situation as it is at present. Dig at Sorbie Motte Mrs. Evelyn McArthur raised the question of the dig at Sorbie Motte and asked v1hether it was to continue. After discussion it was agreed to write formally to Mr. Talbot who had conducted the dig asking him what is to happen in the future and could we have our artifacts back. Tartan: The question of the tartan was raised again and members were reminded that the genuine tartan is only available from the Treasurer. The Highlander: This magazine is published in Illinois, USA, and is said to be vlidely read there. Mr. George Hanna, Maine, USA, said that he had learned of our Sorbie meeting from it. A suggestion, made by Mrs. Jean Donnan, that genealogical information and a cautionary note with regard to possible bogus tartans could be publicised in it with good effect. New Branches: Jack and Sue Schwamberger and Joe and Margaret Hanna are interested in setting up new branches in the USA. Jack proposed that 'Information Packs on Recruitment' be made available for members wishing to set up new branches. This was seconded by Joe. It was generally agreed that it v1as a good idea and was taken on board by Donald. The Meeting closed with a Vote of Thanks to Donald and David for all the hard work they had put in to make this Sorbie week enjoyable. NEWS FROM THE UK AND ABROAD Scotland: International Year of The Clans This was held in Glasgow this year for the first time and the Mclellan Galleries were put at the disposal of all the Clans taking part. The Hannay booth was again shared with the Agnev1s and a 1so with the Buchans, their Tartans being displayed along with ours. David and Donald manned the Booth between them for the week, welcoming visitors from home and abroad, among them Mrs. Dorothea Hannah, Mrs. Evelyn McArthur and Mrs. Marion Hannay, a 11 from Edinburgh; Joe and Mrs.