D. Brock thanked R. Everett for his 9 years service to the club as Honorary Secretary. He reminded the meeting what the club is all about, ie enjoying the sport to whatever level each individual can and socialising and enjoying our spare time. The club has a great tradition, obvious from our name, the photos and honours boards, which forms an important part of the club, particularly as we approach our centenary. The club constitution is there to provide guidelines to follow as the club moves on and to help ensure that the club and the committee acts in the interests of all the members. He reported that once again Orion has been successful in what is close to the membership's heart; the mob matches and the Chingford League. He indicated he was willing, if the membership wanted, to serve for one last year as captain.

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6. Ladies Captain’s Report:

Orion Ladies have had a good year and built upon the success of the year before. The Vets won the Chingford League and the Seniors got very close, with first place only decided on the last race: the Trent Park relay. This summer was the best mid-week league results for a long time, with Orion women almost outnumbering Orion men for each race. We will have stiff competition next Summer now we have been promoted to Division 1.

Wednesday night training often has 20-30 women running in 3 groups and its been great to have the support of newer members who are now active within the club and show great enthusiasm. She finished by saying there was no reason why next year’s success shouldn’t match this year’s and thanking the members for all their support over the last 2 years.

7. Junior Manager’s Report:

The Junior Manager reported stronger participation in the section, which now has 281 members with 70-100 routinely attending on Tuesdays and 50-80 on Wednesdays. The funding position was also much stronger with UK Athletics providing funding for Orion coaches to go into schools to coach, as well as Jack Petchey Funding and 2 athletes being funding by the Newham Sports Academy. There was more support for young athletes, with 10 new officials and 15 new coaches, as well as the President.

Results had been equally strong: in the Chingford League the teams had won 5 of the 6 categories with 3 individual champions and 5 runners up. The U13 girls got bronze in the Essex Championships.

8. Hon. Secretary’s Report:

As at previous AGMs, the Secretary spoke about the strong probability that the club will be required to vacate its current premises in the near future. With his fellow trustee (Q Broadbent) the Secretary had met the Superintendent of Epping Forest. The Corporation had proposed that the clubhouse lease should be for 1 year, rather then the 3 years it had been in the past. The Superintendent was very aware of the correspondence with our agreement with the Corporation which provides that they have to find “suitable alternative accommodation” in the event the club was required to vacate the clubhouse. The trustees had set out what we needed and several possible locations are the subject of negotiation between trustees and the Corporation. The Secretary reminded the meeting that the club currently pays a very low rent - so we should expect an increase when we do move, but that is unlikely to be in within the next 3 years.

The Secretary noted that there was a slight difference in approach this year between the junior and senior section over prioritising between the Essex and Chingford Leagues. At the AGM in 2003, the meeting agreed that as the fixtures did not clash, members could run in whatever League they chose. Currently the majority of seniors prefer the Chingford League whereas the Juniors see their future in the Essex League. He felt the club was strong enough for juniors and seniors to prioritise different leagues, but called on both sections to help out when we host either League.

This year had seen the introduction of the UKAthletics registration scheme which had meant considerable work for the Junior and Senior membership secretaries and means that in future members whose subscriptions are not up-to-date cannot run in races.

The club’s paid up membership is: 289: 121 1^st claim men, 62 1^st claim women, 51 2^nd claim men, 14 2^nd claim women, plus 16 life members, 20 associate members and 5 student members.,

9. Hon. Treasurer’s Report

The Hon. Treasurer reported that the cash position of the club was healthy, with subscriptions and donations for the Orion 15 strong, though there had been £3,000 expenditure on the clubhouse. Subscriptions had gone up by £5 to reflect the levy due to UKAthletics. He noted that the Orion 15 had traditionally relied on invitations and donations because the club believed we were not able to charge for events in the Forest, though a number of other organisation now do charge for events.

Accounts approved: Proposed P Hogan, seconded David Joyce, passed unanimously.

The Junior Section has had a higher turnover with increased grant income and schools paying for coaching sessions. There were £3170 outgoing fees covering the presentation awards, equipment and kit. The section had paid the UKAthletics registration costs of 159 junior members.

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11. Election of Officers:

post name proposer Seconder

President M. Joyce J. xxx P. Bulaitis

Captain D. Brock P. Hogan P.Bulaitis

Deputy Captain R. Kingsnorth D. Brock

Ladies Captain C. Thurgood D. Brock

Ladies Deputy Captain A. De Asha C. Thurgood

Honorary Secretary T. Wright D. Brock

Asst Hon Secretary R. Everett D. Brock

Honorary Treasurer D. Wilkie D. Brock

Honorary Handicapper C. Lutman D. Brock

Hon Fixtures Secretary Q. Broadbent D. Brock

Honorary Editor C. Thurgood D. Brock

Website Manager/Asst Editor R Maclennan D. Brock

HQ Manager A Dickin D.Brock

Committee members

S.Simpole D.Brock

B.Bennett D.Brock

S.Bunce D.Brock

P.Bulaitis D.Brock

Junior Manager J.Farrier P.Hogan S.Timpson

Junior Membership Sec S.Timpson J. Farrier

Junior Treasurer S Penfold J. Farrier

Junior Committee Members D Maher J. Farrier

Junior Liaison Officer J.Farrier D. Brock

Hon. Auditors none- to be filled during the year

All posted were elected unopposed and unanimously.

12. Amendments to the Constitution

The Secretary received the following motion to change the Regulations Covering Competitions and Awards:

Change Rule 3 to “The Club Road Championship is to be held over any distance at an appropriate event decided on an annual basis by the Committee”

In Rule 6 the word “Marathon” to be replaced with “Road”

Proposed: Q Broadbent, seconded D Brock, passed unanimously

13. Any Other Business

It was not clear whether Junior members were allowed to vote at the AGM and it was suggested this be resolved at next year’s AGM.