The 2011 Annual Meeting
The 2011 Annual Meeting on Mersea Island was blessed by good weather - belying the descriptions given of it by Baring-Gould as a bleak, wet place. We met in the East Mersea Village Hall where Roger Bristow opened the batting with an excellent overview of the topography of the island and the locations used by Baring-Gould in Mehalah. The novel itself was covered in all its gothic depth in a paper by Troy White, based on his PhD thesis and read on his behalf by Becky Smith. David Nicholls, the Warden of Ray Island, then told us something of the history of the island and the 'real' Mehalah (or rather 'Mahala') before Brian Jay filled us in on the local history of Mersea. After lunch we split, with one group making a glorious boat trip to Ray Island with David Nicholls, while the other group enjoyed a visit to the local museum and a walk round West Mersea. On our return to East Mersea Martin and Shan Graebe performed a few songs before people got stuck in to the book sale and their evening meal.
On Sunday the day started with a sunlit service at East Mersea Church, where Baring-Gould had presided for 10 years. Back at the Village Hall, David Shacklock gave us an introduction to Baring-Gould's literary output whilst at East Mersea. We then held the AGM before rushing to escape the rising tide after a very enjoyable weekend. Thanks to all those who spoke and to Ray and Shirley Scott who organised the event so ably.
You can see the minutes of the 2011 AGM here
Next year's annual meeting will be held in Devon on 12th- 14thOctober 2012