Dear Friends,
2020 has been a strange year.
It has been sixteen years since the dreadful Boscastle flood when the museum couldn’t open for a whole season. It was, in fact, the first time in its history that the museum did not open at all during its season.
Just as the flood sparked the initiative to start this Friends organisation, we hope that this pandemic will provide a similar opportunity for a revival of our much-beloved museum.
The committee had just drafted plans for a plentiful 2020 working year when suddenly everything came to a halt. We had to let go of our idea of an internship for promising artists, new ways of displaying the collection and library suddenly came to a stop. Our primary and most vital concern was clear: keeping the museum alive and getting it through this pandemic. And we owe much to you, Friends, and to the staff of the museum who have continued to work with us. Your offers of help have been plentiful and much appreciated.
It is also the first time, to my knowledge, that this is not a usual AGM. How I would love to see all of you again, in real life, but unfortunately lockdown persists in most European countries. This is why the committee decided to go online with this year’s AGM, and so at least we get some form of contact.
The board members will be presenting the usual reports. This year only one trustee is coming up for re-election and that would be me. I would, given your support, stand again to be nominated trustee.
New candidates for trustee are always welcomed. We currently have six trustees and the committee can have to up to a maximum of ten, so up to four places could still be available for new candidates. Prospective candidates can express their interest via email to our secretary Jennifer Porrett at [email protected]
As per our tradition, our AGM will feature an exclusive lecture from an expert in our shared field of interest. This year we are delighted to announce Dr Jenny Butler. Dr Bulter is a well-known folklorist and the leading authority on the academic study of contemporary Paganism in the Irish context, having conducted the first ever ethnographic study of Irish contemporary Paganism. Her book on this topic, 21st Century Irish Paganism: Worldview, Ritual, Identity, is forthcoming from Routledge. Find out more about Dr Jenny Butler in her video bio below.
We would also like to dedicate some time in this AGM to Simon, our Museum director, to explain how the museum is coping with the pandemic and the impact of not being able to open, what the museum has been doing during the closure and how Friends, as an organisation, but also all of you as individuals can help continue to support our beloved museum.
Ben Verhaevert
Chair of Friends of the Museum of Witchcraft & Magic
AGM 2020 – Agenda and Attendance Info
Attendance is free to Friends members and you can join just prior to the AGM if you wish to attend. If you’d like to do so Join Friends Now – please follow this link.
Your support is most appreciated and is vital to the upkeep and advancement of The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic
This is a private event. All members will receive a link and information on how to log in on the ZOOM platform, 24-hours prior to the meeting.
Here is the programme for the afternoon:
3.00 pm Welcome
3.15 pm SPEAKER – Dr Jenny Butler
4.00 pm Museum Update – Simon Costin
4.45 pm Short Break
5.00 pm Annual General Meeting
If you have any questions or concerns you would like to be raised at the AGM, please contact the Membership Secretary, Cavan McLaughlin, at: [email protected]