DUNCAN GASCOYNE: “When the repeal of the Fraudulent Mediums Act was announced, what happened? All and sundry were running around like headless chickens.”

   He continued: “I am pleased to state that over the years since, the National Executive Committee (NEC) have faced reality and taken a much firmer stance on many of the issues they have had to deal with. This has involved making some very important decisions in respect to management and finances, which are now being reflected in the reports you will be discussing later.”
    Speaking of his relationship with the NEC over the eight years of his presidency, he said:

    “I have, with a few exceptions, enjoyed working with the NEC, standing committees and other committees to resolve not only issues which have been of long standing, but also issues which have arisen due to the introduction of new government regulations and requirements.
    “Together, as a team, there has been a vast amount of work carried out and many objectives achieved.”
    Mr Gascoyne went on to enumerate the main issues – both routine and exceptional – that had been confronted by the NEC over the past twelve months:
     “We have looked at, and taken appropriate action on, changes in employment law, fire regulations, health and safety requirements, accounting procedures, the role of the Union as a trustee and many other issues.
   “These include completion of the new plain English version of the Rules for Churches, together with a set of guidelines, and expanding the new SNU website.”
     Turning to financial matters, he spoke of the highly successful work carried out by the Finance Committee, under the supervision of Financial Director David Bruton:
    “The Finance Committee has worked very hard and looked at every aspect of the Union at national level. It has had the courage to take the necessary steps to ensure that our income actually does cover our expenditure.”
 

     He added: “The results of their labours you can ascertain for yourself later on in our meeting. Ever since the establishment of the Union there have been financial problems, and I now hope that with careful handling these will be a thing of the past.”
      The president cautioned delegates that care must also be taken to safeguard other assets held and managed by the SNU, saying:
       “Whilst these assets provide a much-needed income, changes in their management have also been implemented, which have considerably reduced costs.
      “One of these assets is the Stansted Hall estate, which was given to the Union through a Deed of Gift made by J. Arthur Findlay in 1964.
     “For over 33 years, the upkeep of this estate caused a great financial burden on the Union’s scant resources, which meant that essential repair and maintenance works could not be carried out fully.
     “Nine years ago, as the then vice-president, I was given the task of sorting out the financial problems of the college and the estate of Stansted Hall itself. Immediate steps were then taken by the College Committee to reverse the financial situation of the past and put the college into a profitable state. “For the past eight years, the college has made an annual surplus, and today I am pleased to inform you all that this situation continues.”
      He added that by the end of 2008, over £2m will have been spent over a nine-year period on erecting new buildings, repairs and renovations, general maintenance and refurbishments of the Stansted Hall estate.
  “More importantly for you as members,” he noted, “is the fact that this amount has been at a minimum cost to the Union and its churches.

    “Most of the expenditure has been met from generous donations from the J V Trust and others, together with the surplus income generated by the college. At the same time it has also increased the value of Union assets. By any standards this is an excellent result for the small number of unpaid volunteers who sit on the committees involved.”
    He went on to explain that a professional had now been engaged “to introduce a more stable and professional approach in respect of the Trust Property Committee and the work it has to carry out.”
     With this in mind, he said, “it was decided to abolish the Trust Property Committee, and instead employ the services of a professional person to act as the administrator on a part-time basis, with a seat on the Finance Committee, who, together with other professionals, would provide the expertise required.”
     The decision, he said, had worked well, and he extended the Union’s appreciation to all involved.
     Turning to the vitally important and central matter of the SNU’s churches and the need to improve and maintain standards, Mr Gascoyne spoke of the “shop window of Spiritualism” offered to local communities by churches, societies and other related organisations.
     “At national level during the past few years,” he said, “we have taken action in updating our educational system, introduced new training schemes for healers and formulated the accreditation scheme for speakers and demonstrators. We should be proud that these facilities are in place at national level for all our members.
      “But, were my words heeded by the grass roots level of our Union?” he asked.
      “I am sorry to say in many instances they were not. When the repeal of the Fraudulent Mediums Act was announced, what happened? All and sundry were running around like headless chickens, especially those who were not connected with the Union or other accredited organisations.”