My first year as Chairman of the Society has already passed. I have thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to building on the experience in the next two years.
However, we could not function as a society without the excellent and dedicated work of the committee. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Rhoda, Jill, Paul, Alan, Angie, Peter, Shirley and Anne for all their support, help and advice during the past year. Peter Cope is leaving the committee this year, thank you Peter for your committee work and especially your time as Chairman.
Total membership of the Society has remained steady throughout the year but with an increase in full membership and a decrease in family membership. At the end of the year there are:
95 Full Members
12 Family Members
1 Honorary Member
Total: 108 Memberships (128 Individual Members)
We have continued to use the Alfreton Parish Council Committee Rooms for our five committee meetings. This has proved an ideal, central venue for our committee members who reside in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire.
Our AGM speaker in 2004 was Peter Phillips, who gave an intriguing talk on the development of Egyptian columns. Who would have thought there were so many different types? I am sure we shall all look at them in a different light when watching a TV programme or on our next visit.
In June, Angie Gillespie very generously opened her beautiful garden, once again in order to host a Society Garden party "Opet Sunday". Although it would have been very pleasing to see a few more faces, those that did attend had a marvellous time. The Aten smiled on us with a vengeance, causing several eventually to seek shade. We all enjoyed and shared wonderful food, laughter and games with an Egyptian theme.
Our lecture programme for this year has been in the main highly successful with an average attendance of 55 at all venues, which is a slight increase on 2003/2004.
In June, Victor Blunden spoke on "The Reign and Artwork of Amenophis III" and the changing style of art during this period.
September introduced us to Charlotte Booth, and "A Woman Called Taimhotep". Charlotte talked to us about the life and times of Taimhotep, during the reign of Cleopatra.
In November, Dr Aidan Dodson's talk was entitled "The Serapeum of Saqqara". With his usual enthusiasm, he talked about the burial rituals and site of the Apis Bulls.
The Tony Harkus Memorial Lecture was given by Rosalind Janssen. Her subject "Senior Citizens in Ancient Egypt" was entertaining and well-illustrated. Rosalind was accompanied by husband Jac who gave able and (sometimes) amusing assistance from time to time!
Votes of thanks for the lectures were given by Jeff Bargh, Betty Dunn, Alan Speed, Amanda Barker and Chris Potter.
The raffle and bazaars, very ably run by Shirley Brown, have raised the magnificent sum of £389.50. Thank you for your generosity. Included in this sum, is the money raised from the goods donated by David Walker; which belonged to his late wife, Society member Carole. david requested that any money raised was to be used for the good of the Society. As Carole was a regular user of the Society's Library, it was decided to purchase two antiquarian books. This has been done and the books inscribed to Carole's memory.
The Publications and Video Library, held and managed by Paul Lappage, is a valuable resource to members who continue to make good use of it. The library continues to expand. If you have access to the Internet, look at the relevant section on the SSAE website for all updates. Alternatively, ask paul at any meeting and he will be able to advise you of any book or video additions. Paul also continues as the excellent Editor of our Society publication "The Scribe". The content and standard is consistently high and I am sure enjoyed by you all.
Steve Marshall manages the Society's informative website. He ensures that the site is always up to date and full of interest. Enquiries have been received via the site, from all over the world on various matters Egyptological, so hopefully, the SSAE is reaching the parts that others cannot reach!
In December, a full coach party once again visited what must be our favourite destination - The British Museum, this time to view the innovative "Mummy - The Inside Story" exhibition and the new Sudan exhibition. Two very different themes, but both enjoyed by members. There was time to pull in a bit of Christmas shopping if desired, and then have your brains taxed by a quiz on the journey home.
The highlight of the social programme this year has to be the "Land of the Pharaohs Cruise 2005". The trip in February took over 40 members on a cruise from Luxor to Aswan. Due to the superb organisational skills of Rhoda Payton and Jill Wilson, ably assisted by Paul Lappage, the trip was a huge success. I must mention the brochure for the holiday which the above three people produced. The publication was of professional standard, one of which any tour company would have been proud, and must have been of great use to all those on the trip.
The Chesterfield Group continues to thrive. Five illustrated lectures given by Society members at the Library Lecture Theatre were well-attended. The 2005 programme commences in May, and all are welcome to these meetings. The annual dinner in December took place at "The Famous Red Lion" at Stonedge. Good food and entertainment was enjoyed by all.
I am confident our Society will continue to flourish during the coming year. We have a stimulating and varied programme put together by Alan. We will hopefully be opening our doors to new people with the introduction of the Day Membership, and hope these people will be inspired to become full members.
Thank you all, for your support attending lectures, social functions and outings during the last year, and let us look forward to a good 2005/2006.
Gill Speed
Chairman
