REPORT OF THE 37th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 
OF THE CLAN HANNAY SOCIETY

Held in the New Club, Princes Street,
Edinburgh, Scotland.
On Saturday 21 October 2000

Table of Contents

2000 Annual General Meeting (AGM) Report

Present - Clan Chief Ramsay R Hannay, Prof. David R Hannay, Janet R Hannay, Patrick P Hannay, David Hannah, Janette Hannah, Barbara Hannay, John Hanney, Patricia A Hannah, Russell Hannah, Len Hanney, Hilda Hanney, Dorothea Hannah, Evelyn McArthur, Patrick Playfair & New Member Christine A Spear.

1 - Apologies for absence  

Maynard Hanna, Major General James Hanna, Keith Hanna Douglas Hannah, Wendy Ronan, James Playfair, Marion Mickey, Ian Wort,
Mervyn Hanna, Colin Hannay

2 - Approval of the Report of the 36th Annual General Meeting  

Held at the same address on Saturday 23 October 1999 and circulated in the newsletter, proposed - Len Hanney, seconded - Barbara Hannay.

3 - Matters Arising - Newsletter

A new A4 format has been agreed and Constable David Hannah has agreed to be editor, with Len Hanney as his assistant. Articles and photos should be sent to David/Len before Christmas for the first edition, to be reviewed by Council at the meeting on 20 January 2001.

4 - Convenor's Report (Professor D R Hannay)

This has been an eventful year with much happening at Sorbie Tower and a Millennium Gathering. We eventually obtained a grant of £10,000 from Historic Scotland, as partnership funding, which enabled us to submit a third bid to Heritage Lottery Fund for £76,000 to conserve Sorbie Tower. The total cost of this would be nearly £98,000 with the balance of £12,000 coming from the Clan Funds. We are awaiting a decision from the Heritage Lottery Fund by the end of the year.

In the meantime a new shed has been erected at the Tower due to the generosity of an anonymous donor, a new portaloo has been installed with a grant from Galloway Groundbase, and an interpretation board has been provided by Solway Heritage [see picture to left for detail from the new board].

The Sorbie Tower Project and the Tower Maintenance sub-committees have been amalgamated into the Sorbie Tower sub-committee, consisting of David R Hannay (Chair), David Hannah (Secretary), Russell Hannah (Treasurer), Ramsay Hannay (Chair, Wendy Ronan (Warden), Packard Harrington (Archaeologist).

A successful Millennium Gathering was held over four days at the end of May. The Gathering started with a welcome dinner and the formation of focus groups also included, was a visit to Belfast  in Northern Ireland arranged by Ian Wort, Will Hanna, Maynard Hanna and Mervyn Hanna and a bus tour of Machars Hannay led by the Constable. The Clan Gathering at Sorbie Tower was followed by a ceilidh dance organised by Barbara Hannay and Douglas Hannah and on the last day a lunch tour of Kirkdale House.

The main focus groups were on the Internet and overseas branches, both of which were the subject of a special session of the Clan Council meeting on the Sunday afternoon at Kirkdale. It was agreed to set up an Internet web group with Jim Hanna as Clan Webmaster, Jamie Hanna and Andrew Lawler as technical consultants. A sub-committee on overseas branches was established last year consisting of officers of the Clan together with Russell and Douglas Hannah, to consider proposals from Major General James Hanna to form a Canadian Branch as a pilot for other branches. It was agreed that members of branches should also be full members of the Clan Hannay Society, and that each branch will be formally affiliated to the Clan Hannay Society with a Convenor, approved by the Chief and Clan Council. The Convenor would be a member of the Clan Council and would provide an annual report for the branch to the Annual General Meeting of the Clan Hannay Society. At the last Council meeting in September it was proposed that membership fees should be the same for everyone, but branches could retain 50% and send the other 50% to Clan Hannay Society parent body. Branch Convenor should arrange for collection of fees.

In September, as part of Galloway region's Doors Open Day a successful event was held at Sorbie Tower, organised by Douglas Hannah with bands and staffs achieving considerable publicity for Sorbie Tower and Clan Hannay, despite terrible weather.

The Society is very fortunate with its office bearers who put in a great deal of time and effort, on a voluntary basis. Janette Hannah has taken over from Evelyn McArthur as Secretary with Evelyn staying on in the role of Membership Secretary. We owe Evelyn an enormous debt for all she has done, and continues to do for the Clan. Patrick Playfair Hannay and Janet R Hannay do a great deal of work as Treasurer and Keeper of the Tartan respectively. At the Tower David Hannah, Constable and Wendy Ronan, Warden ensure that everything is kept in order. Tony Lowe and Packard Harrington, voluntary Clan Genealogist and Archaeologist help with specialist skills. This year Douglas Hannah was appointed Clan Standard Bearer, in recognition of his work for the Clan Hannay Society.

During the year our Chief has received many visitors, especially from overseas. He has also attended the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs, where a major issue has been whether the Chiefs should sign up as a commercial company, which would take over marketing of all Clans' materials. It was felt that this was not appropriate for the Clan Hannay Society.

The Clan Hannay enters the new Millennium in good heart. It is still a member's society for those who are interested, with a worldwide membership of about 500, (almost 1000 since the Clan Society was formed). If we were to cater for the many thousands bearing the Clan names then we would have to become commercially organised, which would result in radical changes, such as the employment of paid staff. It would be a major step and may well be the challenge of the new Millennium, stimulated by growth of the Internet.

In the meantime, we continue as a Clan Society for interested members, relying on the sterling efforts of a few dedicated volunteers, to whom we are all indebted for keeping alive that sense of family, history and belonging, which are so important in a rapidly changing world.

5 - Membership Secretary's Report

The Secretary reported that, in the last year there had been: 30 New Members (15 - America, 5 - Canada, 2 - Scotland, 3 - Australia and 5 - England). Of these: 7 were Family Life, 8 Full Life, 15 Annual.

The deaths of [four] Clan members are recorded with regret [See Obituaries].

Eighty five members attended the Millennium Gathering week, 40 were present at the Welcome Buffet, 26 participated in the trip to Belfast in Northern Ireland, 13 joined the Machars Hannay tour, 45 attended the Gathering General Meeting and dinner in Stranraer, 65 came to the Sorbie Gathering and lunch, 66 enjoyed the ceilidh, 14 gave thanks in Sorbie Parish Church and 38 visited Kirkdale for the lunch tour. Congratulations were offered to all those involved in the Organisation of the event A great deal of work was done. It was also agreed that a letter of thanks should be sent to Joe McArthur who has provided a wonderful calligraphy service to the Clan for many years, producing tickets and name badges.

6 - Treasurer's Report 

The accounts were circulated for inspection. Overall figures have increased by £143; value of stock held has dropped. The Treasurer stated that if donations were given specifically for the Tower, they were credited to that account, but otherwise were put in the Clan Hannay Society general account. The Annual Gathering showed a profit of £341. Two particularly large donations were made this year. One of which, the sum of £10,000 was provided for a new shed. The second, from Clan West was for £12,000. Increased expenditure for the year included the sum of £270 for closing the Tower to public access, (an insurance requirement) and charge of £50 per annum for servicing the new portaloo, which has provision for disabled users. Water rates have gone up again. The main problem is that we have only four real sources of income, (Sale of goods, Subscriptions, Donations and Grants), and little or no control over levels of expenditure. Sale of goods has brought in a profit of £500 and it was agreed that the price of Clan goods would need to increase to keep pace with cost. Isobel Hunter certified the accounts this year. Patrick agreed to ask Isobel to audit the accounts in 2001. Thanks were given to Patrick , who is handing over the Treasurer role to his nephew - Patrick Playfair, for his many hours of work and also to Isobel for her scrupulous checking of the books. 

7 - Constable's Report 

This has been a tremendous year for us on the Sorbie Tower sub-committee, with flurries of activity, which resulted in a brand new shed, at long last.

Grateful thanks for the anonymous donation, which covered the full costs of demolition of the old wooden shed and construction of a new purpose built one, with running water, a staff chemical toilet and a solid fuel stove.

Partnership funding, of fifty percent from Galloway Groundbase allowed the purchase of a new portaloo, which is disabled-user friendly and includes a baby changing unit. The balance of money enabled the purchase of some additional hard-core gravel to cover the car park and allowed us to fM in some of the holes in the track from Aggisto-n Bridge to the Tower gate.

There were two items of bad news. 1) After a long illness Mrs Annette Fluendy, our neighbour at Sorbie Tower Cottage died, our condolences were sent to her husband Malcolm. The Fluendys have been good friends to us during their 30 years at the cottage. 2) The Tower is closed! Our insurers insisted that all the ground floor windows and the door be sealed up to prevent anyone going inside and damaging the structure, or themselves. For the first time since I joined the Clan Hannay Society I have met people at the Tower who were disappointed by their visit, as they could not get inside to absorb the history and ambience of their ancestral roots. One good result is that the vandalism of last year has not re-occurred and the Tower and grounds have remained much neater.

We had several very successful working weekends and managed to get lots of little jobs done, before and since the Clan Gathering. Some trees have been reduced in size to prevent them falling during storms and to protect the new shed. John Brown and fanifly continue to maintain the grounds to an exceptional standard, commented on by many of our visitors. Many thanks to all those who tamed out to help, especially Wendy Ronan, David & Janet Hannay, John Hannah, Len & Hilda Hanney, John Hanney, Douglas Hannah, Packard Harrington and Tony Lowe.

These are scheduled working weekends at the Tower during 2001: (1) 24/25 March, (2) 21/22 April, (3) 19/20 May, and (4) 6/7 October. If you are able to volunteer for worldng weekends please let me know, along with any specialist skills you have. If you can't make any of the above but would like to do some jobs at the Tower, contact me for instructions.

8 - Election of Office Bearers

Chief: Ramsay W R Hannay (Hereditary Chieftain)
Convenor: Professor David R Hannay, Re-appointed (P P Hannay, D Hannah)
Vice Convenor: Patrick P Hannay, Re-appointed (E McArthur, J Hannah)
Secretary: Janette Hannah, Re-appointed (D R Hannay, L Hanney)
Membership Secretary: Evelyn McArthur, Re-appointed (R W R Hannay, D I M Hannah)
Treasurer: Patrick P Hannay, Re-appointed (D R Hannay, L Hanney)
Deputy Treasurer: Patrick Hannay, One year appointment, (P P Hannay, D Hannah)
Constable: David Hannah, Re-appointed (P P Hannay, B Hannay)
Keeper of the Tartan: Janet R Hannay, Re-appointed (L Hanney, H Hanney)
Standard Bearer: Douglas Hannah, New Post (D R Hannay, D I M Hannah)

9 - Council Members Due to Retire

These are - Rev. James Hanna, Walter Hannah, Charles M Hanna, Mervyn Hanna, Evelyn McArthur. It was agreed that Walter Hannah, Charles M Hanna and E McArthur should remain on the Council. Patrick Playfair is to be co-opted onto Council. E McArthur proposed John Hanney from Formby, Lancashire for a place on Council, seconded by D Hannah. Keith Hannay (Australia) has resigned from Council, Stanley Hanna was proposed by E McArthur and seconded by R R Hannah. The meeting agreed that the Rev J Hanna, Keith Hannay, Will Hanna and Mrs. Jane Clay should be made Honorary Members of Council, in recognition of their long and valuable service to the Clan Society.

Malcolm Fluendy was accepted as an Honorary Life Member of the Clan Hannay Society, and a letter of thanks from Malcolm was read to the meeting.

It was suggested that prominent public figures, bearing Clan surnames should be written to, with applications for membership, on an opportunistic basis. (Action - Secretary). Members are asked to help by providing suitable names/addresses of prominent public figures, politicians, film stars, entrepreneurs, etc.

10 - Overseas Branches

A sub-committee has been set up to deal with this and Professor David R Hannay gave an overview to the meeting. An amended version of the proposal was circulated and it was proposed that the meeting should agree 'in principle' to those principles set out in para 2. It was also agreed to consider the suggestions set out in para 3. Proposed - Professor David R Hannay, seconded - Russell Hannah, to be confirmed at the Gathering General Meeting in May 200 1. Last year a sub-committee was set up consisting of Officers of the Clan Council, together with Russell Hannah and Douglas Hannah. This was in response to proposals from Major General James Hanna to establish a Canadian Branch. It was also a response to the situation in Clan West, America where there had been a lack of communication with Officers of that Branch not being members of the Clan Hannay Society. At the Millennium Gathering in May 2000 there was a focus group on Overseas Branches, led by Jamie Hanna, which reported to the General Meeting. The sub-committee on Overseas Branches also met after the Council Meeting in May to consider the latest proposals from Major General James Hanna.

The following principles were agreed:

I -  Members of branches, whether overseas or not, must also be full members of the Clan Hannay Society.  This would entitle them to:

a) The annual newsletter

b) Clan goods at reduced prices

c) The services of the Clan genealogist

d) Be part owners of Sorbie Tower

II -  All branches will be formally affiliated to the Clan Hannay Society.

III - Each branch would elect a Convenor, subject to the approval of the Chief and Clan Council. The Convenor of a branch would be a member of the Clan Council and one of their duties would be to provide a branch report to the Annual General Meeting of the Clan Hannay Society.

At the Clan Council meeting in September 2000 it was also suggested that there should be the same membership fees for all members of the Clan Hannay whether belonging to a branch or not. The branch Convenor, or Treasurer, with 50% being kept for the branch and 50% being sent to the Clan Hannay Society, would collect the fee for branch members.

Discussion is ongoing, as part of consultation with existing branches and members and will be presented to Clan Council in January 2001, and will be an item on the agenda at the General Meeting at the Gathering in May.

11 - Internet & Websites

A Web Group has been appointed, consisting of Jim Hanna, Jamie Hanna and Frank Lawler. Not much has been achieved due to the fact that Frank has been on an extended holiday [NOTE: this was written in early October; the site has been updated several times since then] . Professor David R Hannay agreed to check the Website and contact Janette with his finding.

It was agreed that directions to the Tower should be included on the pages [NOTE: This has been done]  and that it would be preferable to keep the site up to date between newsletters. The newsletter is to be available on the site [NOTE: Newsletter contents are to be found in their appropriate areas on the site, e.g. historical paper under "Family History", AGM report under Community]. (Please forward your E-mail address to the Secretary - bluebunnet@aol.com ).

12 - Heritage Lottery Fund Application

A report on this was circulated, and Professor David updated those present on the history of the application. In short, this is the third time an application has been put forward for funding. An early decision was requested but we have been informed that it will be December at the earliest, if not March 2001 before we hear from the Grant Allocation Board.

The two existing committees (Maintenance and Tower Project) have been amalgamated and will be responsible fbr managing the project in future, regardless of the application.

Last year a second attempt at obtaining Heritage Lottery Funding for the conservation of Sorbie Tower was unsuccessful because we did not have partnership funding from Historic Scotland, although we had been advised by Historic Scotland to apply direct to the Heritage Lottery Fund. We therefore applied to Historic Scotland for partnership funding, and earlier this year were awarded a grant of £10,000 towards the cost of scaffolding. This enabled us to re-apply to the Heritage Lottery Fund in May, for the balance of £76,000 with £12,000 coming from the Clan Hannay Society. The Heritage Lottery Fund has recently told us that they hoped to come to a decision on our application by the end of 2000.

13 - AOCB

Convenor of Clan East - The meeting approved the Convenorship of Charles (Chuck) Milton Hanna. The Chief agree to write and confirm this.

Membership Fees - T'he need for simplification of fees was expressed. Comments from Ian Wort were discussed and proposals then put to the meeting as follows:

i) Scrap "Family Life Membership"
ii) Increase Annual Fee to £15.
iii) Increase Life Fee to £120.
iv) Scrap the "8 Year" Rule, except for those in progress.

These proposals were accepted. With effect from 21 October 2000 new fees win apply. Membership Forms will be amended accordingly. It was agreed that the Secretary's E-mail address be included. A section for members to list any specialist skills would be included in the new form. (SkMs could take many forms - commercial, technical, construction, publicity, fundraising, recruitment, translation, environmental, etc. etc.)

Presentation - The Clan marked Evelyn McArthur's birthday, the same date as the meeting, with the gift of an engraved quaich and expressed all our thanks for many years of hard work.

Clan Goods - The question of discount for Life Members was raised. It was agreed that this would not be appropriate.

14 - Date of the 38th Annual General Meeting

Saturday 20 October 2001 at 2.00pm, in Edinburgh