The Dorothy L Sayers Society − Chairman’s Annual Report 2010
Events held
These have been reported in our Bulletins.
2009
- Nov: AGM and talk by Aoife Leahy on Even the Parrot.
- Dec 17: In Memoriam in The Times: “Let each do well what each does best”.
2010
- March 6: Presentation of Music Award to Joy Becker in Manchester
- March 24: Dorothy L. Sayers Lecture by Edward Marston
- June 13: Barbara Reynolds Award and Birthday Lunch in Cambridge
- June 26: Presentation of Young Ringer’s Award to Felicity Lister by Dame Norma Major at Bluntisham
- Aug 13-16: Annual Convention at the University of Nottingham
- Sept 18: London Walks in Mayfair and Bloomsbury
- October 11: Reception at the House of Lords to celebrate The Attenbury Emeralds by Jill Paton Walsh
Financial
The accounts are published separately. The Society is very grateful to the Hon. Treasurer, Geoff Raley, for all his detailed work during the last five years and wishes him a happy rest from his labours. In like manner we thank Neville Osmond for his meticulous inspection of the accounts over a period of ten years.
Membership has fallen slightly since last year:
| 2010 | 2009 | |
| UK | 250 | 263 |
| USA | 118 | 118 |
| Europe | 64 | 75 |
| Rest of World | 12 | 12 |
| Total | 444 | 468 |
The Society is grateful to Lenelle Davis for her work with the membership.
Society Publications
- Sidelights LX
- Chichester Proceedings 2009
- DLS/Charles Williams Proceedings
The Society thanks Geraldine Perriam, Publications Officer, for her editing and production of publications and Seona Ford who has helped with printing and transport.
Articles have appeared in:
- SEVEN: Christine Fletcher and Christopher Dean
- Voice Matters: Christopher Dean
- Jane Austen Society Report: Carol Hartley
- Inklings Jahrbuch: Marius Reiser
Publicity is available through the Society’s notice board administered by the staff in Witham library, and via the Society’s web-site thanks to Richard Birkett; further publicity came through the Essex Book Festival. An account of the Young Ringer’s Award was reported with photograph on camponophile website, provoking a certain amount of comment, and also in Ringing World. The Music Award was announced on the RNCM website and the Actor’s Award on both Theatre Centre and ALRA websites.
The Bulletin
Contributions continue to be received from members all over the world and are enhanced by Lesley Simpson’s photographs. Most particular thanks to Jasmine for her work which does not stop with editing but continues with stuffing all Bulletins and other items into envelopes which she also stamps, addresses and takes to the Post Office. Congratulations!
Archives
With our recent Copyright agreements orders continue to be speedily dispatched thanks to the enthusiastic work of Bunty Parkinson. The Society is most appreciative and welcomes the help of Jo Short, assistant Archivist.
Advice
Advice and assistance continues to be given to publishers, authors, journalists, musicians, researchers and students throughout the world by post, telephone, fax and e-mail. The Society is indebted to all those who help with the many enquiries.
Awards and Donations
Grants and donations totalling £1255 have been made this year for:
- Music award: £750 (Helena Buckie), £500 (Joy Becker RNCM)
- Young Ringer’s Award £205 (Keele University and Felicity Lister)
- Bluntisham PCC £50
The Lord Peter Wimsey Companion
The sub-committee has continued to make progress in transferring this major work to an online edition.
Other
The Dorothy L. Sayers Centre saw the delivery of The Dorothy L. Sayers Lecture. I am grateful to Seona Ford, Jane Stanway and other library staff for their work in the Centre.
The Convention was held at Nottingham with its theme “Aspects of Sayers” and was most successful. I am once again grateful to Seona Ford for her expert management.
I thank the Committee and all members of the Society whose unstinted voluntary work has contributed to the year’s success.
Christopher Dean
Chairman
13.xi.2010
Committee
| President | Dr Barbara Reynolds |
| The following are trustees: | |
| Chairman | Christopher Dean |
| Vice Chairman, Witham Liaison and Convention Administration | Seona Ford |
| Hon. Treasurer | Geoff Raley |
| Hon. Secretary and Bulletin | Jasmine Simeone |
| Publications Officer | Geraldine Perriam |
| Membership Secretary | Lenelle Davis |
| Archivist | Bunty Parkinson |
| Assistant Archivist | Jo Short |
| Research Officer | Philip Scowcroft |
| Sound Archives | Richard Birkett |
| Christine Dean | |
| Christine Simpson | |
| Co-opted member [non-Trustee]: Wheaton Representative | Marjorie Lamp Mead |