Southron Gaard Council Meeting
Tuesday 8th July

PRESENT: Dauid (David), Sybilla (Hera), Hugh (David), Emilio (Ed), Mathilde (Charlene), Antonia (Colleen), Elinor (Sargia), Isabel-Maria (Miriam), Darius (Damon), Taddea (Meredith), Thorald (Bill), Anabilla (Amy), Bjorn (Nigel), Alexandros (Ross).

APOLOGIES: Iulianna (Jennifer), Oswyn (Carl), Melisande (Anne-Marie), Bartholomew (Peter), Katherine (Vicki), Ginevra (Beth)

MEETING OPENED: 7.30 pm

LAST MEETING’S MINUTES: Accepted.

OFFICER REPORTS:

SENESCHAL:

Correspondence with: Chatelaine regards proposed upcoming Library display, Kingdom Seneschal regards November Crown bid, various gentles regards CF09 bids, B&B regards CF09, Crown tourney bids, Chronicler and Webright regards Council minutes. Other: Did much running round in support of the Yule event, including assisting in kitchen. Attended and bid on barony’s behalf at Catering Auction. Attended Castelburn’s Cockatrice Convivium – caught up on current events in the Highlands with local Seneschals.

CHATELAINE:

Outfitted newcomers with Hire Garb to attend Yule : David Woods and Tracey, Mark and their son (who have been attending the open and stuff nights regularly recently) While I didn’t manage to catch up with David, Tracey and Mark had a wonderful time – Tracey being particularly taken with late period Italian garb and having a good chat to some members of the populace who specialize in this area. I’m sure we’ll see them at more events very soon. Correspondence this month with Eleanora and Dauid regarding organizing a display in the Central Library and also possibly the CCC windows in Tuam St. Penciled-in for a September slot at the library at this stage – will confirm dates when known and send a request out on the list for items anyone may be happy to offer for the display.

REEVE: 

Clearing account: $3, 945.18
FTT: $44.25
Account: $5,279.56
Castelburn: $1,429.26

Still have no access to account other then internet. Still not a signatory (Seneschal to fix these asap). Despite numerous (twice weekly) emails to both Bill (Ex-Reeve) and Sharon (SCANZ treasurer) still have no copy of any reports, or response to mail.

Correspondance with Megann Exley (Chair SCANZ).

HERALD:

Heralded quarter day court at Southron Gaard Yule. Corresponded with book heraldry deputy Thorald, i.e. fobbed work off on him. Am sending the results of his work through to those gentles wanting to make submissions so they can send or amend them before sending to me to pass onto Kingdom. Have corresponded with the St. Kessog Seneschal Lady Eydis over the appropriateness of putting the Otago University arms on armour the university is sponsoring. A compromise was suggested by Baroness Katherine which will hopefully suffice in the absence of a response from Crux Australis on the subject. Have discussed with Hugh of Southron Gaard the beautification of the herald's staff/rod/whatever. Am beginning to cast around for a replacement who will be able to step up to take at least part of the Royal Court at CF '09. Training, coaching and seconding will be provided. Have undertaken to do the herald's roster at CF '09.

MARSHAL: No report.

CAPTAIN OF ARCHERS:

Not much in the way of practice happening this month due to the weather – maintenance of gear and similar activities have been ongoing.

CAPTAIN OF RAPIER:

Hi all one rapier report; winter is putting a dint in training not much I can do about that:) I went down to Dunedin for their event and authorised a new rapier fighter and failed one , most important they must read the rules.

ARTS & SCIENCES:

Held seamsters at my place, went well. Went to Stuff night, next Stuffnight on the 15th will be a discussion on Heraldry. Looking ahead to the Collegium in September, had Correspondence with Scott regarding the feasibility of the woodworking/lathe workshop on site, and I am looking for expressions of interest for classes/ Workshops that people would like, and and classes/workshops that people would like to hold. Please get in touch with me.

CHRONICLER:

FTT uploaded to Baronial Webpage 29 June 2008 and email notification sent to SG, Castelburn and St Kessog e-lists as well as Kingdom Chronicler on 30 June 2008.

Correspondence: with various officers & individuals regarding regular columns, specific articles and event advertisements for publication.

Events Attended: Yule.

Other Business: Deadline for August issue is 4pm, This Friday, 11th July 2008. Please adhere to deadlines – they are there to ensure FTT comes out on time. If you are going to be late, please supply an ETA and expected number of words. Additionally, I reserve the right to hold submissions for the next issue or edit them to fit the available space if you are late.

WEBWRIGHT:

I have been trying to keep up with basic maintenance this month.

CONSTABLE:

Attended Southron Gaards Yule event. Collected Lost property from site.

QUARTERMASTER:

Much gear organised for the B&B's fundraising event at Linwood High. Attended and gave demo with his excellency. A spirited and loud banter filled wee scrap was held:5-2, I think was the final tally excellency? The balance of our equippment was transported to Yule festival, played with and then recouped in the downpour after the event. Many of our extremely expensive round silver (i'm sure it's genuine) platters seem to be attaining a rather tasty brown colour. Will have to keep an eye on those with regard to possible food tainting! Squeezed into my chariot was also "much Pot" recently aquired at auction - volunteers to help me build a 2nd garage would be appreciated. In conjuction with my Engineer position I have started the search for further timber supplies to assist Lord Scottiah in his wood turning ventures, adding extra pieces to our fort and building a childrens version for CF09. Anyone who has desires to be an "engineers apprentice" please see me.

B&B:

Attended Cockatrice, Yule, both excellent events. Helped at Linwood College Medieval Feast the night before Yule -- this involved about 160 guests plus another 20 or so helpers, and went off so smoothly they are keen to do something similar again. SG was credited on posters and website and our fliers were available on the night. Thanks to Raife for his assistance in the combat display.

CF site map with site allocations put online and publicised, no significant feedback or concerns received to date.

Correspondence with: Tycho re: Yule tourney, Iuliana re: website, Seneschal re: CF bids, Crown bid news. Apology for July Council; we're out of town.

EVENT REPORTS/UPDATES:

YULE: Lady Sybilla reported on the success of the recent Yule event. Final tally of numbers and finances to come next month. She extended special thanks to Bjorn and Angus for their assistance at vital moments during proceedings.

COLLEGIUM AND BALL: (September 2008 - update) Site is booked, and all is going well. Volunteers to teach classes for the Collegium now being sought!

CROWN TOURNEY: (November 2009?) No news from the Kingdom Seneschal regards this bid. Seneschal to increase efforts to get a response.

ST CRISPINS EQUESTRIAN EVENT: Nothing to report, no problems so far.

CANTERBURY FAIRE: (February 2009) Council received a bid to run CF 2009 from Lady Sybilla. No surprises in the proposal – estimated costs are larger than CF08’s in proportion to the increased length of the event. It was noted that staffing was something of an issue – we need a feast cook, and someone to be in charge of the food plan. Any willing volunteers should contact Sybilla. Council enthusiastically approved the event proposal.

FIMBULWINTER III: (August 2008) Council received a bid from Lady Eydis and Lady Holly of St Kessog to run Fimbulwinter again this year. Same site (Berwick Forest Lodge), cost approximately $75 for the whole weekend, all included. Dates August 29-31. More details to come. Council unanimously approved.

ELLESMERE A&P SHOW DEMO: (October 2008) The Ellesmere A&P show had again expressed an interest in giving us space for an exhibit and demo. Date is October 18. Seneschal to email list seeking participants for this.

BARONIAL ANNIVERSARY: (2009) THL Taddea and Lady Antonia announced their intention to bid for BA in 2009. Details of this event to be announced at a future council meeting.

GENERAL BUSINESS:

CASTELBURN REPORT:

Greetings Councillors,

Although this month has been dominated by our biggest event, the Cockatrice Convivium, we did hold one regular activities night on 6 June, and a dance practice on 11 June. Lord Emilio was kind enough to visit us again and on 7 June he led a workshop/preparation for authorisation attended by our three rapier enthusiasts. We ran Cockatrice from 20-22 June. The event included a public concert of early music, a day of workshops, a public performance of the Dr Faustus puppet show, participation in the Midwinter Carnival lantern parade, a feast, a rapier/heavy combat session and a farewell lunch.

I was very pleased with the event overall. We had great support from the public, especially for the concert and puppet show; the venues all worked out extremely well; we had excellent publicity in newspapers, on local TV, and over various websites and mailing lists, and the event turned a healthy profit to boot. We really appreciated the generous support of the wonderful performers from Ildhafn, our colleagues from St Kessog, and all the Southron Gaard lowlanders who attended the event and gave such high-quality workshops and combat instruction. Bravo!

The only reservation I have about the event concerns membership. Although public feedback was very positive, dozens of people took information away, and several expressed a keen interest in joining, we haven't yet had any solid approaches from people wanting to join as a direct result of Cockatrice. It may be that people are happy to support as audience members but that out recruitment needs to be a much more targeted process. Any thoughts or advice on this? Best wishes, and harmonia victrix! Ignatius

TOUR D’OR MEDALLIONS: From Mistress Isabel-Maria: The artwork (and subsequently the order) will be finalised this week, so we will get an invoice shortly after that.

STUFF NIGHT: This month: Heraldry!

CATERING AUCTION: Dauid, Sybilla, and Hugh attended this event on June 14, and returned with 6 good-sized stockpots (4 at 8 litres, and 2 at 11.6 litres), a box of large serving spoons, and a herb cutter, for a total of $381.25. Comparing with current retail prices we got a pretty good deal – these stockpots are generally priced at well over $100 each. Council approved the reimbursement of this expense. It was noted that the stockpots proved immediately useful when pressed into service at Yule.

AUGUST FUNDRAISER IN BLENHEIM:

Council was informed of correspondence with Lady Bethany, who is shortly to be cooking a medieval feast for about 200 people in Blenheim as a fundraiser organised by Zonta to benefit a Post-Natal depression charity. She requested the use of some baronial banners and similar decoration, in return for which she would ensure suitable “product placement” (i.e. publicity for the barony). A similar arrangement worked for the recent Linwood College fundraiser facilitated by TE Bartholomew & Katherine. Council approved this project – it was noted that Lady Bethany had already organised transportation of everything to Blenheim and back, so this would require minimal work on our part. Volunteers to assist Bethany at the event itself should contact her.

OTHER BUSINESS: None!

MEETING CLOSED: 8.13 pm