In 1977 a group of Bonsai enthusiasts, led by Ken Moncrief and Frank Maddocks, decided to meet to share their enjoyment of Bonsai. The group was originally known as Thamesdown Bonsai Society, after the local district. The group met within the town centre until numbers grew and the group decided to move to Stratton St Margaret. Some members felt this was too far to travel and split to form their own club – Swindon Bonsai Society. After a number of years the two clubs decided to reform and became Swindon and District Bonsai Society.
As with most clubs our membership tends to fluctuate but we have a strong core of enthusiasts who maintain and promote our activities. In our early days we displayed at local flower shows, the National Convention in Birmingham in 1992 being our first major exhibition. Since then we have exhibited trees at many of the Federation Exhibitions around the UK. Trees from Swindon Bonsai Society have also been exhibited at the Chelsea Flower Show, Gardeners World Live and other major RHS shows. In 1996 we hosted the Federation of British Bonsai Societies National Show. The club annually stages a major exhibition of Bonsai at its Winter Image Show, this usually takes place in February.
Our aim is to promote the hobby of Bonsai growing in every way. We welcome new members to join us, it doesn’t matter if you are a total beginner to the Art of Bonsai or very experienced.
Our Constitution (Articles of Association)
- Name and Structure
1.1 The Society shall be called “Swindon and District Bonsai Society” and is hereinafter referred to as the Society.
1.2 The Society is unincorporated. - Objects
2.1 The objects of the Society shall be to:
2.1.a promote, educate and further interest in the art of Bonsai together with any associated activity.
2.1.b hold one or more shows each year designed to encourage the aesthetic appreciation of Bonsai as an art form.
2.1.c participate in shows organised by other organisations or bodies with the objective of promoting the art of Bonsai.
2.2 In furtherance of the said objectives the Society may do all such lawful things as are necessary for the attainment of the said objectives. - Officers
The Officers of the Society shall be:
Chairman
Vice Chairman
Secretary
Treasurer
Additionally, a Show Secretary, if elected, shall be an officer. - Committee
4.1 The Society shall be managed by a committee which shall comprise the officers, listed in paragraph 3 of this constitution, and up to five other paid-up members.
4.2 The committee shall meet at least twice in each year and the proceedings at such meetings shall be recorded.
4.3 The quorum for meetings of the committee shall be 5 members. - Powers of the Committee
5.1 The property and/or assets of the Society shall be controlled by the
Committee.
5.2 The Committee may, if a position of officer or Committee
member falls vacant, appoint a member of the Society to fill such vacancy until
the next Annual General Meeting.
5.3 The Committee may appoint such Sub-Committees as it deems necessary
and shall receive reports of such Sub-Committees at its meetings. A member of
the committee must be present at all Sub-Committee meetings.
5.4 The Committee shall have powers to accept or reject any application for
membership of the Society and to suspend or expel any member deemed guilty
of conduct prejudicial to the good name of the Society.
5.5 The Committee shall have the power to declare a seat vacant should a
member absent himself from three consecutive meetings without an explanation
deemed satisfactory by the Committee.
5.6 The Committee shall have the power to set members’ annual subscriptions
and any other fees which may be chargeable to members and relating to the
Society.
5.7 The Committee shall be able to do any lawful thing in furtherance of the
objectives of the Society. - Membership
6.1 Membership shall be open to any person upon completion of an application
form and payment of the annual subscription.
6.1 Honorary members of the Society may be appointed by the Committee.
6.2 Annual Subscriptions will be due for payment immediately following the
Annual General Meeting in each year.
6.3 If a member’s annual subscription has not been paid by 30th June in any year
the member will be deemed to have resigned from the Society and their name
will be removed from the Register of Members.
6.4 The Committee may refuse or remove membership for good cause, such as conduct that could bring the Club into disrepute. - Accounts
7.1 The Society’s Financial Year shall be from 1st March until the last day of
February in any year.
7.2 The Treasurer shall keep a cash book recording all receipts and payments by the Society. This cash book must be made available to the Committee should the Committee so request.
7.3 The Treasurer shall present a financial statement to members at every Annual General Meeting. - Annual General Meeting
8.1The Annual General Meeting shall be held within three months of the end of the Society’s Financial Year.
8.2 The Secretary shall give at least fourteen clear days’ notice of the meeting. (Publication of the date of the meeting in the Society’s Annual Programme of activities shall be deemed to be notice in accordance with this paragraph.)
8.3 The meeting shall receive a report of the Chairman
8.4 The meeting shall receive and approve the Treasurer’s Financial Statement.
8.5 The Officers of the Society shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.
8.6 The meeting shall appoint up to five additional members of the Society to act as Committee members.
8.7 The meeting shall conduct any other business which may lawfully be conducted at an Annual General Meeting and delegation of any matter to the Committee shall not preclude the Annual General Meeting from considering such matter.
8.8 The quorum for the Annual General Meeting shall be ten members. - Extraordinary General Meeting
9.1 An extraordinary general meeting may be convened at the request of the Chairman and shall be convened upon written request to the Chairman by ten Members of the Society.
9.2 The Secretary shall give at least fourteen clear days’ notice of an Extraordinary General Meeting to all members by an announcement at a Society meeting.
9.3 The quorum for an Extraordinary General Meeting shall be ten members. - Voting
10.1 At all meetings of the Society, including the Annual General Meeting, an Extraordinary General Meeting, a Committee and a Sub-Committee meeting, a member shall have one vote, except in the circumstances referred to in paragraph 10.3 below. Society members present at a committee or sub-committee meeting, apart from members of the committee or sub-committee, cannot vote.
10.2 A postal vote or vote by electronic means may be arranged at the discretion of the Committee
10.3 In the event of votes cast for a motion equalling the votes cast against a motion the Chairman of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote. - Finance
11.1 The Committee shall cause proper records of account to be kept. Such accounts shall be audited annually by such person or persons as the Committee shall decide and shall be available for inspection by Society members at any reasonable time.
11.2 The Committee shall authorise the Treasurer to open bank or building society accounts in the name of the Society.
11.3 The Society’s funds shall be held within two separate bank accounts – a deposit account and a current account. The Treasurer will have internet access to the current account to meet the Society’s expenditures, whilst the majority of the funds will be held in the deposit account. Withdrawal from that account will be done by written request to the bank signed by two out of three nominated signatories.
11.4 The Committee shall authorise the signature of cheques by any two of the Chairman, Treasurer and any two other members of the Society nominated by the Committee for that purpose.
11.5 The Treasurer will provide a written report to each Committee meeting detailing all expenditure and income since the preceding meeting and showing the level of funds held by the Society. - Limited Financial Liability
12.1 The Committee shall not enter into any financial transaction that cannot be met from the current financial assets held within the Society’s accounts. No member shall enter into any financial transaction on behalf of the Society without the approval of a majority vote from the full committee or from a General Meeting.
12.2 An individual member’s liability shall be limited to the sum of money equal to and no more than the current year’s membership subscription. - Winding Up
13.1 In the event of a winding up of the Society, any funds remaining after the deduction of all proper liabilities and expenses, shall be divested and/or donated as deemed appropriate by the Committee Members serving at the time.
13.2 Any non-financial assets shall be donated to another Bonsai organisation, or if not practical divided amongst the membership. In the event of a dispute as to the division of such non-financial assets the Chairman shall decide. - Insurance
14.1 The Committee shall arrange suitable and appropriate insurance. - Amendment of Constitution
15.1 This constitution may be amended by an Annual General Meeting or an Extraordinary General Meeting, convened or that purpose, subject to the support of two-thirds of the members present and voting at the meeting.
15.2 Notice of a proposed alteration to this constitution must be given in writing to the Secretary and shall be notified by him to members at least fourteen clear days prior to the meeting by an announcement at a Society meeting.
15.3 Other Business: Any matters pertaining to the management or conduct of the society and not specifically referred to in this constitution shall be decided by the Committee and their decision shall be final and binding.
Chairman: Paul Bowerbank (Original Signed) Date: 12 March 2025
Secretary: Andrew Bray (Original Signed) Date: 12 March 2025