Present: Chairman (Russell Beaumont), Secretary (Sylvia Preston), Harry Colledge, Peter Farnbank, Jane Foster, Anne Hardy, Brian Harper, Sue Sargent.

Minutes: - Minutes for the meeting on 04.02.10 were accepted.

Matters Arising not on the Agenda: - None.

Treasurer's Report: The financial situation is scarcely changed, though £40 has been paid out for a lottery licence.

Venue for Summer 2010 Concert - progress report:

St Paul's Church Marton has been booked for Sunday 27 June.   A slight warning was given that, were there to be a christening ceremony on that day, guests may wish to linger afterwards and so delay the afternoon rehearsal. Members will be asked whether they would prefer to hold the concert on Saturday 26 June instead.   Russell

December 2010 Carol Concert - report back on Orchestra response:

There was a very encouraging and enthusiastic response from orchestra members for this proposed concert which will probably now take place at Norbreck Hydro on Monday 13 December. Barry Bridges at the Hydro and Andrew White will both be consulted re final arrangements. Russell/Brian

Rehearsal and Concert Dates for next season :

Following discussions with Linsey Pryde at the 6th Form College, dates for rehearsals and concerts for next season, September 2010 - June 2011, have been booked, though with an agreement that other venues may be sought for the actual concerts.

The decision was taken that there should be a rehearsal on Friday 29 April 2011 even though it will be part of a bank holiday weekend.  The College will be informed.  Sylvia

Some concern was expressed at the reduction of concerts to three plus the Carol Concert but it was finally agreed that the arrangements already made would stay in place at least on a trial basis for next season.

It is foreseen that some of the extra rehearsal days will be used for more sectional work or for trying out new music.

It was decided not to shorten the season by bringing the last concert back to an earlier date.

Programmes for Next Season's Concerts - progress report:

Several items have been agreed upon so far and include a bassoon concerto with Russell Irwin as soloist.  Final decisions are to be made in the coming week.  Brian/Peter/Jane/Anne                                                                

Website - use of Members Page:

A Members Page is now set up within the BSO website and is accessed only by password.  It will be used to share information which is important only for orchestra members.  It will be renamed 'Members Notice Board' and will carry e.g. minutes of the Committee Meetings, notice of sectional rehearsals, news of social events.

In order to assess interest in this page, it is hoped to incorporate a counter other than the counter attached to the website itself.    Russell                               
Website - a Forum?
In anticipation of a favourable response a Forum has already been set up within the Members Page.  This could carry helpful comments on venues or programmes and also other matters of interest to all members.

The webmaster will have the authority to approve or reject any comment offered.  Russell

Pricing Policy - 2010 - 2011:

Now that the number of concerts is to be reduced to three it was decided that tickets should be offered singly at £7 or three for £20.  There will still be no charge for children.

The item above led to a discussion on ways of increasing the size of the audiences.

It was felt that Poulton especially, but also Blackpool and Thornton Cleveleys, should be t targeted with advertising matter.  All Members

Another suggestion was that members be asked to submit names and addresses of people they know who may well be interested in becoming a 'subscriber' and thereby benefit from the price reduction.  Sylvia

Any Other Business:

With reference to the next concert, which includes the 1812 Overture, it was suggested that there could be some audience anticipation in the form of the bursting of paper bags to suggest canon fire.   Members will be asked to search for suitable bags.

Next Meeting:

This will take place on Tuesday 6 April at 7.30 at Flat 4 Riley Court St Annes