In the morning, we had the AGM, deftly chaired by our Chairman, Dr Beverly Bergman.
During the AGM we heard that following the recent elections under the new Constitution, which brings our regulations fully up-to-date with legislation and has been duly approved by OSCR, Dr David Bertie and Lt. Col. Ian Shepherd had been elected as Ordinary Members of the Committee. We were also delighted to hear of the election to the new post of Chairman-Elect of Edward Mallinson, who will take office at the next AGM. All three elections were received with great enthusiasm by the meeting.
The other highlight of the AGM was the election of two very distinguished Fellows of the Society: Gordon Casely and Alex Maxwell Findlater. Like the other Fellows, Gordon and Alex are walking wikipedias of heraldry and we are all greatly in their debt. They received their certificates today from the President and will be presented with their medals at the St Andrew's Day Lecture.
After lunch, very sensibly provided for us which saved a lot of time, we had three very moving accounts from members of their own paths from hope to fruition in their quest for a personal coat of arms. This was moving because all three were very honest in their aspirations and wish to find symbols for their own lives and families and reminded us all that it is not about self-publicity or folies de grandeur.
First to speak was Stanley Bird, who gave a witty tour de force account of his adventures through a complicated design phase to a triumphant avian conclusion.
Then followed a very contrasted but equally amusing and enjoyable talk by Ian Shepherd, proudly displaying his pipe banner here, on his recording of arms for himself and his family, and then matriculating arms for his wife.
Finally, we enjoyed an engagingly philosophical exposition on his arms, now in the Painters' Queue at the Lyon Office, by vexillologist Philip Tibbetts.
.
