FOSH meeting minutes, Monday 13 October 2008, Takapuna Library

Present:

Chris Cole Catley, Graeme Lay, Judy Wilson, Anne Allen, Helen Woodhouse, Vanessa Seymour, Erica Ansley, Jenny Chamberlain

Apologies:

Elizabeth Aitken-Rose, James Armstrong

Absent:

Sarah Dugdale

Previous minutes:

Minutes for meetings held on 14 April 2008 (librarians) and 3 May 2008 (FOSH) have been previously circulated. The minutes were accepted.

Resume of meetings & events held thus far:

12 Aug 07 (founding committee meeting); 30 Sept 07; 3 Feb 2008; FOSH launch – 16 March 2008; 14 April 08 (library); 3 May 08; 29 July 08 – Never Enough (inaugural literary event); 14 Sept 08 (Trust).

Matters arising:

1) Chris moved that the Michael King Writers’ Centre and the Sargeson Trust keep in touch regarding upcoming literary events & that they keep in informal, regular communication. Motion passed.

2) A copy of the excellent Salmon Reed draft conservation plan was made available for members to borrow.

3) Celebrating Sargeson – MKWC literary event being held at Holy Trinity Church Hall, Devonport, on 2 November, at 2pm. Part of Heritage Week. All welcome.

4) Heritage Week open days at Sargeson House: 2 & 9 November, 1-4pm. Helen to ask whether library staff can cover the 2 November date. If not Jenny & Erica will run that open afternoon. Vanessa, Jenny & Helen will be present at the 9 November open day.

5) Book launch and celebration of 35 years of Cape Catley publishing: Old Government House, Monday 3 November, 6pm. All welcome.

6) 14a Esmonde Road fence repairs awaiting Historic Places Trust approval. Big hole has gone. Grass is very long. Judy warns HPT may wish to carry out historical dig before fence can be repaired.

7) Future of Sargeson House. No decision from Trust as yet on whether the house will become a public museum or not. Judy points out there are several different types of museums. Judy will write outline document to email to Graeme. Chris and Graeme will call special meeting of Sargeson Trust to discuss this matter.

8) Frank’s books are of concern. They need to be cleaned & catalogued. This work cannot begin until the Conservation Plan is finalised and a decision is made whether to carry out a chattels conservation plan.

9) Elizabeth Aitken-Rose is now deputy chair of the Sargeson Trust, in place of Kevin Ireland – who has retired from the role. Elizabeth will become chair next year (2009).

10) Showing of Mark Casey’s excellent film Frank. Jenny to contact Karren Beanland of the MKWC to see whether they would like to organise this. The Rose Centre may be a good venue. Coinciding the showing with the anniversary of Frank’s birthday in March 2009 would seem a good idea. It was agreed this should be a fundraiser. Tickets $10 and to include refreshments. Venue needs to be booked. Jenny to follow up.

11) Anne described her work on the new North Shore City Council arts portal – Shore Space. An on-line arts hub on which North Shore arts entities may register. Anne has created a page for FOSH and we have our own email address: friendsofsargesonhouse@gmail.com . Anne has also created a FOSH blogsite. Committee, public & members can leave their comments and questions. Another way of booking visits to the house. Someone needs to take charge of enquiries.

12) Feedback on Never Enough – 80 people, $529.40 – a wonderful evening.

13) Vanessa reported on the docent programme. Our FOSH docents are: Vanessa, Erica, Judy, Jenny, Monica Asher, Jan Dickens (from Webbs). Library docents are: Helen, Kirsty, Kate & Shona. We need to ask visitors to refrain from handling the books and memorabilia.

14) Judy talked about some of the features of small museums; how you need a story for the house and one for each room. Extra cleaning would be required. Cupboards would need Frank-style objects inside. Every item would need cataloguing. Signage. Need a detailed brief to complete all this work. Extra security an issue. Judy described the talk she gave at Howick U3A on the Frame Quilt. She has been asked to give another, longer presentation. Judy may be able to give this talk next year as a FOSH fundraiser.

15) General discussion around the clarification needed from the Trust regarding the future of Frank’s house. It was agreed that the creation of a small public museum – if that is what is wanted – will be a major undertaking. Helen suggests we may think about “inching towards” a museum. Judy says the cost will be significant.

16) Jenny presented her Sargeson House “to do” list.

Thankyou everyone!