The Chairman, Peter, opened the 2001 AGM by applauding the work and support of the Committee. He gave special thanks to Trevor for providing a varied programme which Peter commented was not an easy task. The programme had covered the interests of both experienced members and those with less experience. All the speakers had been of good quality and had held our interest.

Ken and Ethel had worked hard to make it a successful year for the monthly raffle and with Rupert as Treasurer, Peter knew that the financial affairs were in good hands. Adele had looked after the Society`s interest by representing us on the Lightwater Centre Committee whilst Roy had completed another year of regular issues of the newsletter.

Peter noted that there had been more entries in the competitions and thanked everyone for their efforts.

Rupert reported on the steady progress that been made in stabilising the finances of the Society. Charging an entry fee for speakers evenings had made a big difference whilst the raffle provided a good income. He concluded that the Society was well and truly solvent. There would be no increase in subscriptions for 2002. The £1entry fee for speakers evening would be maintained and increased if only if found necessary.

The existing members of the Committee were prepared to continue and members were happy that they should do so.

Gary agreed to become Membership Secretary, Roger agreed to join the committee and John volunteered to take up the post as Editor of Bonsai Bulletin.

The Committee had received an offer of a meetings room free of charge at Brookwood Social Club. The Chairman explained that there were members who owned large trees but were unable to bring them to the present venue because of difficulties in carrying them up to the first floor. The new venue would give us a chance to see such trees on a more regular basis. The Society knew that there would be a steady increase in rent for the present room and provided that the offered room was suitable it would make the Society even more financially secure.
After discussing the pros and cons, the members authorised the Committee to visit Brookwood to view the room and to discuss occupancy. The Committee would report back to members at some future date with any recommendations.

Trevor outlined the proposed programme for the coming season and the final version would be published in a future newsletter.

The Society had gained several new members from displays at gardening shows and similar events. The Chairman asked for ideas about local events where we could have a display. He added a word of caution that such displays could only be undertaken if members agreed to take part in manning a stand.
The evening concluded with a "bring and buy" sale.

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Ducking the Issue
By Outona Jin

Hello Peat how are your trees this year ?

Well Grit, after all the rain of the early part of the season I have to say I think the colours of the maples have been the best for many years.

That`s right Peat, mine have been the same. Still the weather forecasts are beginning to show a few frosts in the North and I suppose that we shall have to start thinking about winter protection soon. What do you use Peat ?

Oh I`ve found green netting is very good.
Yes I use that and if the frosts are prolonged, I cover with bubble wrap well anchored against the wind.

Look out Grit here comes Compost. Let`s pull his leg !

Hi Peat , how are you doing Grit ? It`s AGM tonight so I`m going to sit at the back and keep my head down.

Why Compo ? I`ve proposed you as the new newsletter editor and Grit has seconded it.

That`s right Compo ! You are always going on about how the editor chases us for articles. We thought with your good nature you could be more persuasive and get the members to increase their efforts.

Not me. I pay my subs and I believe in letting other people do that sort of thing. Look out here comes the Chairman. I bet he`s going to tick me off for not taking my chair back to the store after the last meeting.

Compost goes off to hide in the back row leaving Peat and Grit to have a good laugh.

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Now it can be told !
By the Editor

Newer members of the Society after reading the last item could be forgiven for asking the question "Who is this character 'Outona Jin' ?" Well rest assured that you are not the only ones who have sought the identity of this occasional correspondent. For about four years members have speculated on who was behind articles pointing at some aspect of our Society. The late Roy Stevens was convinced that the correspondent was one of our lady members and went about asking members who it might be. To no avail !

This mysterious correspondent first surfaced about four years ago when Keith was the editor of Bonsai Bulletin. Although efforts were made to make Keith disclose the identity of 'Outona Jin' , his lips were sealed. In one edition of the newsletter there was an imitator but that writer never followed the practice of 'Outona Jin' by contributing an occasional article. But the time has come to disclose the identity of 'Outona Jin'.

It started when Keith was holding a conversation with a member about the lack of contributors to Bonsai Bulletin. Keith felt that the majority of members were prepared to read the articles but had no inclinations to add to them or argue with points put forward. He thought perhaps what was needed was an occasional article aimed at stirring up some debate. So Keith's listener suggested he would have a go provided that the article was printed under a false name. Of course there was no point in inventing a member as the membership list could be easily checked by inquisitive seekers after the true identity.

Alas ! Although Keith and 'Outona Jin' played out their respective roles the hoped for response never happened. 'Outona Jin', wearying of trying to stir up non-responsive readers, has written fewer articles in the last two years and has decided that now is the time to let 'Outona Jin' return to the back benches of the Society.

I hold my hands up. It is I, the Editor, who first assisted Keith and kept up the pretence of 'Outona Jin' after taking over Keith's role.

Editorship changes hands !

This is my last edition of 'Bonsai Bulletin'. My first was in December 1997. When I took on the role of Editor my aim was to produce a monthly newsletter if there were sufficient contributions. Otherwise the issues would be on a 'as and when' basis which was the situation adopted by the Editor before Keith.

To give the newsletter a fresh start I changed the layout to the folded A4 sheet giving four pages. An issue has been produced every month of each year without fail making a total of 49 issues. On a few occasions copies have been late from the printers. One issue was printed with a page upside down and on another occasion the front and back sheets were printed on separate sheets. Otherwise than those minor problems members have been able to have their copy at the meeting or at subsequent meetings. In addition the contents of the Bonsai Bulletin have been used by Steve as the core of our successful web site.

When I look back over those 49 issues it is clear that there are a small number of members who have contributed the majority of articles. A few other members have contributed just one article but this contribution was nevertheless welcome. To one and all I say "thank you" because without your contributions we would not have kept up a regular newsletter.

If a volunteer had not come forward to be the next Editor I was tempted to edit one final issue to knock up the half-century but John has said that he would have a go and I hope that members will rally around John with contributions no matter how brief.

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Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
to all our Readers.

Next Meeting. 8th January 2002
"Bonsai Quiz Night"
Come along for a bit of fun and test your bonsai knowledge.