The 2014 AGM was held, by kind permission of Anne Newman, at Rooks Nest House on Saturday, 28 June.
The business meeting took place in the shelter of our Vice-Chairman’s marquee though the torrential rain had considerately stopped just in time. In his report, the Chairman summarised our activities during the year. Our main concern had, of course, been the possibility of building on Forster Country in order to satisfy Government demands for housing in the area. The idea that designated protected land could be built on and replaced by land elsewhere is, we feel, against the original principle of the Green Belt. We feared the coalescence of towns – Stevenage, Hitchin, Baldock and Letchworth – should the maximum number of homes suggested become a reality. Meetings with planning officials had taken place and our views on the Draft Local Plans made clear, but no decisions have yet been revealed.

Steps have been taken to establish a national Historic and Literary Landscapes organisation, which would protect said areas from unsuitable development. This was the brainchild of Stephen Pollock-Hill and has received the support of Clive Aslet, Editor of Country Life magazine.

The Committee was re-elected with the welcome addition of Jim Callaghan. For personal reasons, Margaret Dolan will step down after the Memorial Lecture which she is organising.

Tea and committee-made cakes were served outside the house on the lawn after the official proceedings. Our hostess took an active part in serving the tea and clearing away afterwards so our thanks are this year for more than just allowing us to meet at E M Forster’s childhood home. About 30 people, including our mayor, Sherma Batson, and her consort Howard, braved the damp and were rewarded by entertaining playing from the Freman College Saxophone Quartet and the usual conviviality of our gatherings.