Southron Gaard Council Meeting
Tuesday 13th May 2008

PRESENT:

Dauid (David), Mathilde (Charlene), Emilio (Ed), Thorald (Bill), Anabilia (Amy), Callum (Bob), Darius (Damon), Vitale (Peter), Bjorn (Nigel), Alise, Elise (Claire), Bartholomew (Peter), Isabel-Maria (Miriam), Sybilla (Hera), Melisande (Anne-Marie), Samantha, Amalie (Amy), Emma (Nicola), Leofgar, Tim.

APOLOGIES: Iulianna (Jennifer), Martuccio (Matt), Scotaidh (Scott), Katherine (Vicki), Oswyn (Carl), Raife (Shaun).

MEETING OPENED: 7.36pm

LAST MEETING’S MINUTES: Accepted

OFFICER REPORTS:

SENESCHAL:

Assisted with many organisational matters (including vegetable haulage) at BA.. Attended Armageddon, assisted with dance and heavy demos, talked with lots of potential victims new scadians. Attended May Crown in Darton. Did notable amount of “networking” with various personages. Facilitated change of signatory on Baronial bank account. Corresponded with Thorald and Ginevra regards the Reeve changeover. Corresponded with B&B and Baronial officers on various matters of Baronial business. Corresponded with Ignatius regards Castelburn activities (Cockatrice event proposal to be discussed later).

CHATELAINE:

Mundane work commitments have still, unfortunately, been very heavy so my participation in Armageddon and the following first two Open Nights was not possible, to my deep regret. My thanks to all who have contributed their time and efforts to encourage interested persons to learn more about us. Correspondence with Jacques de la Vetarouge (new SCA member in Takaka putting him in contact with others in area), with Boyd Chesterfreeman (moving to Nelson from Darton & wishing to make contact with other members or ex members in the area).

Hire Garb: Clothed two people attending BA. Attended BA and talked with many of the newer faces there, handed out the annual stock-up of introductory cards etc. Baroness Eleanora is offering to assist with the library project.

REEVE:

Stepped up at BA. Still in the process of effecting office changeover – Thorald is doing the Doomsday report. Correspondence with Thorald and AElred (Reeve of Castelburn).

HERALD:

Attended and cried Court at Southron Gaard Baronial Anniversary. The following Baronial Awards were given: Lady Amalie of Southron Gaard - Tour d'Or, Lady Isabelle Winter - Tour d'Or, THL Taddea di Giorgio Mellini - Coeur Loyale. I am happy to relate also that the College of Heralds have passed the name of Isabel María del Aguila, formerly known as Heloys de Mont St.. Michel. Attended Armageddon SCA display and announced some dances. Have accepted offers of assistance with Book and Field heraldry from two more kind gentles MARSHAL: Practices getting a bit flat, hoping number will improve if we can create an expectation that practice will be happening. Helped out with Armegeddon demo. Seemed to be a fair interest in fighting, can hopefully capitalize on it at upcoming practices. Is the list of signups' email addresses available, so can send out a reminder about practice? Baronial Champion tournament held since last report. Good to see some new entrants. Need to track down Deodannan and arrange for passing on of the cuppe perilous. May start discussion on whether or not to move the site of fighter’s practice – a more central/prominent site may help bring along more existing members, as well as recruit new ones.

CAPTAIN OF ARCHERS:

Archery is looking good with the usual number of people showing up each week. Although with the weather starting to turn sour I am going to try and run some maintenance/planning days on the ones we can’t shoot. Loaner gear is looking good although since BA we have a distinct lack of loaner bows. Arrows are almost completely repaired just got 2 or 3 left to fix. 2 Ikacs done for the year so far with 3 in the open division so far and 1 in the period division. And that would be about it have yet to have had a fine day after Armageddon to see how many newcomers we have.

CAPTAIN OF RAPIER:

Practices continue on Tuesdays and Sundays. Made Champion’s cloak for BA. Rapier tournament at BA, with 5 contestants, won by Emilo. The unusual format was well received. Practices continue despite the cooler weather, Tuesdays in the hall and Sunday lunch times at Barrington Park. No new authorisations this month. No incidents or accidents.

A&S:

Stepped up at Baronial Anniversary. Assisted in the running of the A and S competition, Mistress Isabel María del Aguila won with an entry from Midwinter Coronation. Apologies to Baroness Sinech, as her cosmetics entry documentation got lost during the changeover, although full credit for an off the cuff presentation on the day. I have also been active at the Open nights, chatting with newcomers and other interested folk. Look forward to having Stuff night on the 20th themed "coat making' (particularly Eastern and Turkish styles) with patterns and sewing machines at the ready for populace to have a go at making new winter outerwear. I am looking at revamping the way that competitions are run, so a general mention that people should email me with any thoughts or ideas they have on the subject.

CHRONICLER:

FTT uploaded to Baronial Webpage 1 May 2008 (by webwright) and email notification sent to SG, Castelburn and St Kessog e-lists as well as Kingdom Chronicler. Correspondence: with various (B&B, Dauid, Mathilda, Iulianna, Ginevra, Darius and Oswyn) regarding officer columns & introductions, with various gentles regarding items for publication, sent quarterly report & included request for postal address in order to send hard copies of various publications as required, with Bartholomew, Marienna and William regarding differences in membership costs between SCANZ webpage text and membership form pdf. (Updated FTT template to match new information.)

Events Attended: Baronial Anniversary, Armageddon and Crown Tourney.

Other Business:Have been following Shambles discussion regarding the appropriateness of advertising group newsletters on said list. Announcements of that nature welcome on Lochac-Announce list, not Shambles. FTT is currently promoted on lists pertaining directly and only to Southron Gaard, with the expectation that bumperissues that have wider appeal (such as those leading up to Canterbury Faire) will be advertised Kingdom wide. As always, looking for articles and art work for FTT Deadline for the June issue: 4pm, Friday 23rd May 2008

WEBWRIGHT:

Have done usual maintenance again. Including updating pages after BA and for Armageddon.

CHIRURGEON: No report received.

CONSTABLE:

Attended Southron Gaard’s Baronial anniversary repast dinner only due to work injury. Will be collecting lost property from Baronial anniversary at council meeting. Attended stuff night post Armageddon.

QUARTERMASTER:

Organised and transported gear to BA. Gathered some and balance returned by Lady Emma. Received a large donation of fighter gear (helms, legs, shield, arms and belts) from retired fighters. Now just require 2 x gambesons and some work to tidy up and make ready for use as loaner gear. May purchase kit bags or more plastic boxes to store and carry to fighters practice Sundays. Assisted with setup of display for Armageddon. Attended part of Saturdays expo, did fighter demo etc. Helped with packing out. Have kept display boards for future use. Off to Crown 9-11th May and will take banners and other decorative hangings etc.

B&B:

Attended BA, recognised new champions and officers, neatly dodged a bottle of Don Julio (Martuccio was not so lucky), rewarded four gentles who had successfully completed the Renaissance Challenge. Helped with Armageddon and follow-up Open Nights.

Attended and fought in May Crown, which was simply fabulous. We were very impressed with the hard work put in by the folk of Darton, and also by the many Southron Gaarders whom we saw participating and assisting in so many aspects of the event.

Met with Their Highnesses at May Crown and discussed the "name for Australia" issue. Published Their Majesty's proposed law changes and encouraged feedback from our populace.

Correspondence with: Kingdom A&S Minister re: new A&S officer, Seneschal and Reeve re: finances and reporting, Kingdom Seneschal re: permission for our Yule to clash with Aneala Coronation -- no answer, but Their Majesties gave verbal permission when we asked them at Crown, Thorald and Kingdom Seneschal re: Nov Crown 2009 draft bid, Seneschal of St Kessog and Knight Marshal re: armour and heavy combat, CF site manager re: water supplies (there IS a water line near the Amberherthe encampment and they are now looking at putting in a proper tap for which we can later help provide a concrete pad), Festival steward and B&B of Rowany regarding Festival site and organisation, Financial Committee seeking approval to loan some Baronial gear to a Linwood College fundraiser feast in late June, in exchange for promotion of the Barony on all the marketing material for the feast.

Regarding the latter, Bethany spoke with us at May Crown and may be asking for similar help in order to run a cancer-prevention fund-raiser in Blenheim, with an eye to also using it to test the water for possible new members up there.

Unable to attend Yule, sorry, the revised July 5 date clashes with longstanding travel plans (http://sg.sca.org.nz.court.htm lists our "not available"
dates as far ahead as we know them).

EVENT REPORTS/UPDATES:

SEPTEMBER COLLEGIUM AND BALL: 

Update. Site still not yet confirmed, but aiming for September 6, as Bal d’Argent has been confirmed in Ildhafn on September 13. More details coming soon.

BARONIAL ANNIVERSARY:

Report. Lady Emma presented a detailed final report of BA2008: 77 adults and 5 children attended. Lost property passed to Constable. Still awaiting site fee confirmation from 3 people (cheques and e-payments going missing). Finances: $1916 Income, $1793.99 Expenses. $50 excess yet to be accounted for. $93.40 to come back (left over from food budget) 2 people booked and were no shows – their tickets were sold on. Site clean-up proved to be a problem – not enough people stayed behind to help the stewards tidy up the site.

CANTERBURY FAIRE 2008: Report. Still awaiting final monies from cooks to make a final accounting for this event.

ARMAGEDDON:

Still judging the results of our recruiting efforts here. Positive responses were received from other stallholders at the event.

COCKATRICE CONVIVIUM:

A partial bid was received from Ignatius of Castelburn. Dates are 20-22 June. Estimated costs $40. Full bid to come next council meeting.

YULE:

Full bid received from Sybilla. Note that the site is DRY, and all candles are to be completely enclosed. Booked park space behind Scout Hall for Tourney. Break even at 65 attendees. Cost $5 site, $15 feast (adults). Event proposal was accepted, and approved.

CROWN TOURNEY (November 2009):

Thorald presented a proposal for the barony to host this event:. Site is the Waipara Boys Brigade camp (same as CF). Proposed dates (13-15 Nov 2009). Deadline for bids is 12 months out, and can be accepted 18 months out. 125 break even point, @$96.50. Some expressions of concern at the costings, and the possible overcommitment of people with various activities planned (e.g Half-Circle theatre). The response from council was generally positive, though the proposal was referred to the financial committee for further examination of the budget.

LINDISFARNE:

Samantha gave a brief rundown on Ordo Cygni’s Lindisfarne event, coming up Queen’s Birthday weekend.

GENERAL BUSINESS:

STEEL EMBASSY:

SCANZ wishes to know how successful the Steel Embassy was at CF – any gentles wishing to comment please refer them to Scotaidh.

ARCHERY GEAR:

Darius noted that the barony was low on loaner gear for newcomers. It would be nice to have some beginners’ bows in service, particularly as we have just made a considerable recruiting effort. Have to strike happy balance of having enough gear to “try out”, but few enough that it encourages people to get their own. The matter was referred to the next council for comment and a possible formal budget request. *Darius to email Baronial list to locate the Baronial crossbow.

ARCHERY RANGE: Some discussion on the archery range used at BA – safety concerns regards the amount of space available downrange. It was established that this was a problem, and the Webright will be asked to place that information on the “For Stewards” online page.

A&S CHAMPIONSHIP: Mathilda noted that she was inviting comments on the structure of A&S competitions, and hoping to find ways to encourage more people to enter them. Also noted the Coatmaking workshop planned for Stuff night next Tuesday.

TRENT’S CARD: The Barony is to sign up for a Trent’s Card (wholesaler’s discount). Dauid to action this.

SERVING TABARDS: Emma noted that the Baronial tabards were in a sorry state of repair, and needed to be replaced. It was generally agreed that this was a reasonable thing to do. Mathilda volunteered to check out fabric prices for this purpose.

MEDALLIONS: Isabel-María presented various quotes for medallions for the Tour D’Or. It was agreed that the quote from distinctive Badges Ltd seemed the best. 100 badges @ $1.95 each, with $120 for setup.

ARCHERY CHAMPION TASK: Elise declared that, as the new Baronial champion for archery, she would construct several quivers for use by the populace.

MEETING CLOSED: 9.13PM