SOP AGM

[arcobob]

I never said if you don't agree leave,and don't agree with that either. Nor do the vast majority,if not all involved in the society. Its just people like you causing bad blood by making comments like that.

Why don`t you paddle your canoe and let Roy paddle his. He has earned the right as others have pointed out and it is not down to favours done by you or anyone else.

 

[ploughman1963]

Granted he has earned the right, but.How can someone who has been saying the things he has represent the society?

From one that has defended the sop strongly on previous threads - you and the rest of those who voted to exclude people for expressing a view should hang your heads in shame. I do not necessarily defend any views expressed by the 4 but I DO defend their right to express an opinion

 

[arcobob]

I never said if you don't agree leave,and don't agree with that either. Nor do the vast majority,if not all involved in the society. Its just people like you causing bad blood by making comments like that.

I am surprised that people of your ilk have not suggested chucking him out, that is your normal way of doing business.

 

[ransomes52]

People like me

you are the one telling him not to go to the Euros because he does not agree with what has gone on and been brave (or) stupid enough to put his head above the parapet and speak out for what he believes is right.

he does not need me to defend him he is more than capable of that when he gets home tonight..

I only judge the society on what it does and how or not it does it.
feel free to defend as you see it but its actions over the last few months have not done much for the unity of ploughing as it.

It takes two to tango. Or are the four/five whiter than white. It's difficult to have a disagreement with yourself, although you could probably find a way

 

[Dealer]

Don't know or have never met any of 4/5 so not sure what you are implying?

From the evidence that is have seen there treatment seems less than fair

What have the SOP got to be so protective about?

Why cant they have a point of view different from the other directors without being forced out especially if they are in such a minority as sop would have you believe.

And how have I disagreed with myself?

Think you will find I have been consistent in my opinions and have seen nothing to change my thinking.

 

[Roy Stokes]

If you feel so strongly about the situation, why don't you pull out of the European. Seems a bit hypocritical to me if you go.

I have paid my membership for this year and will do as I like not as you choose, life is about choice, my choice not yours

 

[Roy Stokes]

Granted he has earned the right, but.How can someone who has been saying the things he has represent the society?

Not representing the SOP, I am representing England, and What may I ask have I said wrong, I am entitled to an opinion as much as you are

 

[arcobob]

Not representing the SOP, I am representing England, and What may I ask have I said wrong, I am entitled to an opinion as much as you are

And good luck to you, you deserve the support of every Englishman.

 

[Roy Stokes]

And good luck to you, you deserve the support of every Englishman.

Thanks Bob

 

[DB 880]

If you feel so strongly about the situation, why don't you pull out of the European. Seems a bit hypocritical to me if you go.

What sort of a statement is that IGNORANT, BADLY THOUGHT OUT , TALKING DOWN TO SOMEONE, can only come from an S.O.P. supporter. Roy deserves to plough for England earned from ploughing a winning plot rather than wiping someones rear end which makes a change . I for one wish him the very best of luck and seen as tho I won`t be wasting my time at York will be there in Wales to support him where I might add there will be a bigger welcome than at the British, ploughmen competing at the Welsh national will be treat to a meal when they finish ploughing you won`t even get a cuppa at the British and when the Welsh do their accounts they will still have made profit something that seems to be a miracle if it happens at S.O.P.

 

[Roy Stokes]

Ploughing for England, it's in black and white here in an email from Ken



Further to our recent letter inviting you to compete in this year’s British National Ploughing Championships.


I am afraid we made an error in the paragraph of the letter regarding the winner of the National. The winner of your class will be declared the British Ploughing Champion for Classic Ploughs and the highest placed person residing in England, the Isle of Man or the Isle of Wight will be the Champion of England for classic ploughs but he will be invited to represent England in the 2016 European Ploughing Championships and not the World Championships.


This is because the World Vintage Ploughing Championships next year will be for trailing and mounted ploughs only, due to many countries in the world not having classic ploughing. Hopefully the event will continue and a classic plough section will be introduced in future years.


Please accept my apologies for this error and I hope we will see you ploughing in Kent.


With kind regards,

Ken



____________________________________________________________________

Ken Chappell MBE
Executive Director
Society of Ploughmen
Quarry Farm|Loversall|Doncaster|South Yorkshire|DN11 9DH
Tel:01302 852469 | Fax:01302 859880
Email:[email protected]| Web:www.ploughmen.co.uk
Registered charity no. 1062780 Registered under the Companies Act with Limited Liability. Reg No. 1083310
____________________________________________________________________

 

[Ford1957]

I understand that people are already stopping their membership due to what happened at the AGM on Monday bad decision by the Executive they have no conscience at all. Carl great post's, does the executive wonder why 144 who's proxies were legal and 33 that were not legal total 177 that's almost a third of members were not happy with what's going on. They must change all they are thinking about is the world match the Chairman couldn't put a firm figure on what it is going to cost 200k-250k was a figure that he mentioned. that will do for now I will let others have a say.

why is it a bad decision by the executive? it was a proposal from an ordinary director, put to the members and the members voted them out democratically.

 

[Dealer]

How many of the executive voted for them to stay, how many canvassed the proxy voters for their support, if your answer is none then they have made a bad decision and show no conscience - there for the grace of god go I, they should have a long look in the mirror for next time It could be them..

 

[Kenham]

So have I got this right ? If you do not agree with and speak out against the SOP you are hounded out. Now if you have spoken out you should not plough either! As for representing the SOP surely the SOP should be representing the British ploughmen! I really was lost for words at the statement from ransomes52, quite unbelievable, do you really believe we ploughmen do all we do FOR the SOP? If that is the general consensus of the SOP it really explains a lot as to the way they run things. Beyond belief!

 

[Robert Godfrey]

A vote was taken at the AGM on Monday which resulted in a number of Directors being removed from the Board but not as members. From a personal point of view I have listened and watched the toing froing which has taken place over the last twelve months and have noted that there have been mistakes made by the SOP on procedural matters which was quite rightly pointed out to the SOP by the now removed Directors and the SOP has responded by making necessary changes on the advice of their lawyers to rectify the position and arranged a ballot which was fair and unbiased. I also understood from comments made to the meeting that Sue Frith had written, e-mailed or telephoned those members whose subscriptions were not complete so that their votes, whichever way they were cast could be democratically included in the ballot.
The problem as I understand it arose because the small band of Directors did not agree that Sue Frith should take over from Ken Chappell when he retires in 2017. My recollection of the situation is that the matter was voted on at least twice or it could have been three times by either the members and or the Directors and the small band were not happy with the result and began a campaign to have the appointment overturned. They pointed out to the SOP that the first decision(s) was/were not legally arrived at and with the help of their lawyers persuaded the SOP to hold an Extraordinary General Meeting to discuss the matter further. Persuaded is probably not the best way to describe the process, they instigated their legal right under the Companies Act regulations to demand the calling of an EGM to discuss and vote on whether Sue Frith should take over the role carried out by her Father. This was voted on and in fairness there was some muddling at the EGM as to how the vote was to be conducted but at the end of the meeting there was a vote which agreed with the appointment. The small band of Directors continued to feel aggrieved by the result and started to make a considerable number of aggressive actions against the SOP. Now this is were my difficulty comes in that these aggressive actions were brought up at the AGM but have not been substantiated and were actually denied on the floor on Monday. I also understand that these supposed aggressive actions were seen by some of their fellow Directors as not being in the best interest of the SOP so a proposal was put forward that the dissenting Directors should be removed as Directors. After some exchanges between the five and the SOP they were eventually allowed to have a list of all members so that they could present their side of events and this they duly did. I should add that the initial decision by the SOP not to release the list of members was right as they were carrying out their responsibilities under the Data Protection regulations but when the lawyers for the five gave an undertaking that the list was only going to be used to enable the five to put their side of the argument then I understand that the undertaking given to the SOP allowed them to release the list. In my opinion that was a correct decision.
The proposal was voted on at the AGM and as we know the resolution was carried by a majority. This is where the matter should rest and as I said to one of the five after the meeting instead of feeling aggrieved they should now consider the position carefully over the next few months and after the World Match has been completed sit down and produce a document setting out their thoughts as to what should happen to the SOP in the future and perhaps arrange meetings with like minded members to discuss what they consider to be a suitable alternative to either Sue's appointment or the way the SOP is either run or constructed. There have been some suggestions already made on this forum which I am sure probably have some merit. We must all remember however that any changes must be carefully thought through and more importantly discussed in an adult manner. We all have have different takes on a variety of matters but at the end of the day nothing will be achieved unless the alternatives are discussed properly and in a professional manner. It will be impossible to satisfy everyone views but by sensible discussions and some giving and taking a suitable result can be achieved which in the main will satisfy all parties by having a compromise which encompasses all views.
To endorse what has been said many times on this forum, let us all enjoy our ploughing but at the same time remember that we have a very popular sport. Because of its popularity it needs to be properly run and managed and for this to happen we must all agree on the best way this is to happen. My own personal view is that the SOP does an excellent job but like all institutions it must continually review the way it does things and more importantly listen to its peers (we ploughmen). I think it does but that is just my opinion.
Robert Godfrey

 

[Kenham]

And another thing, go for it roy and the very best of luck from kent

 

[Rsldno15]

And another thing, go for it roy and the very best of luck from kent

Good luck Roy and enjoy the experience, as one who has ploughed at the European I found it a truly memorable few days.

 

[ransomes52]

What sort of a statement is that IGNORANT, BADLY THOUGHT OUT , TALKING DOWN TO SOMEONE, can only come from an S.O.P. supporter. Roy deserves to plough for England earned from ploughing a winning plot rather thitan wiping someones rear end which makes a change . I for one wish him the very best of luck and seen as tho I won`t be wasting my time at York will be there in Wales to support him where I might add there will be a bigger welcome than at the British, ploughmen competing at the Welsh national will be treat to a meal when they finish ploughing you won`t even get a cuppa at the British and when the Welsh do their accounts they will still have made profit something that seems to be a miracle if it happens at S.O.P.

It wasn't a statement it was a question. And if you had cared to read other posts I agree he has earned the right to plough. I am not as much of a supporter of sop as you seem to be anti. Try looking at things from different angles

 

[arcobob]

A vote was taken at the AGM on Monday which resulted in a number of Directors being removed from the Board but not as members. From a personal point of view I have listened and watched the toing froing which has taken place over the last twelve months and have noted that there have been mistakes made by the SOP on procedural matters which was quite rightly pointed out to the SOP by the now removed Directors and the SOP has responded by making necessary changes on the advice of their lawyers to rectify the position and arranged a ballot which was fair and unbiased. I also understood from comments made to the meeting that Sue Frith had written, e-mailed or telephoned those members whose subscriptions were not complete so that their votes, whichever way they were cast could be democratically included in the ballot.
The problem as I understand it arose because the small band of Directors did not agree that Sue Frith should take over from Ken Chappell when he retires in 2017. My recollection of the situation is that the matter was voted on at least twice or it could have been three times by either the members and or the Directors and the small band were not happy with the result and began a campaign to have the appointment overturned. They pointed out to the SOP that the first decision(s) was/were not legally arrived at and with the help of their lawyers persuaded the SOP to hold an Extraordinary General Meeting to discuss the matter further. Persuaded is probably not the best way to describe the process, they instigated their legal right under the Companies Act regulations to demand the calling of an EGM to discuss and vote on whether Sue Frith should take over the role carried out by her Father. This was voted on and in fairness there was some muddling at the EGM as to how the vote was to be conducted but at the end of the meeting there was a vote which agreed with the appointment. The small band of Directors continued to feel aggrieved by the result and started to make a considerable number of aggressive actions against the SOP. Now this is were my difficulty comes in that these aggressive actions were brought up at the AGM but have not been substantiated and were actually denied on the floor on Monday. I also understand that these supposed aggressive actions were seen by some of their fellow Directors as not being in the best interest of the SOP so a proposal was put forward that the dissenting Directors should be removed as Directors. After some exchanges between the five and the SOP they were eventually allowed to have a list of all members so that they could present their side of events and this they duly did. I should add that the initial decision by the SOP not to release the list of members was right as they were carrying out their responsibilities under the Data Protection regulations but when the lawyers for the five gave an undertaking that the list was only going to be used to enable the five to put their side of the argument then I understand that the undertaking given to the SOP allowed them to release the list. In my opinion that was a correct decision.
The proposal was voted on at the AGM and as we know the resolution was carried by a majority. This is where the matter should rest and as I said to one of the five after the meeting instead of feeling aggrieved they should now consider the position carefully over the next few months and after the World Match has been completed sit down and produce a document setting out their thoughts as to what should happen to the SOP in the future and perhaps arrange meetings with like minded members to discuss what they consider to be a suitable alternative to either Sue's appointment or the way the SOP is either run or constructed. There have been some suggestions already made on this forum which I am sure probably have some merit. We must all remember however that any changes must be carefully thought through and more importantly discussed in an adult manner. We all have have different takes on a variety of matters but at the end of the day nothing will be achieved unless the alternatives are discussed properly and in a professional manner. It will be impossible to satisfy everyone views but by sensible discussions and some giving and taking a suitable result can be achieved which in the main will satisfy all parties by having a compromise which encompasses all views.
To endorse what has been said many times on this forum, let us all enjoy our ploughing but at the same time remember that we have a very popular sport. Because of its popularity it needs to be properly run and managed and for this to happen we must all agree on the best way this is to happen. My own personal view is that the SOP does an excellent job but like all institutions it must continually review the way it does things and more importantly listen to its peers (we ploughmen). I think it does but that is just my opinion.
Robert Godfrey

I cannot dispute one word of what you have said because I have not attended any meetings for over five years, I have not even been a member. What I can assure you is that the level of dissatisfaction with the conduct of its affairs and the disdain with which it treated the majority of its members has been building up for a very long time. The succession debacle, which initially was discredited, really blew the lid off the pot to such an extent that the Five decided to make a move and took legal advice. It forced an admission that affairs had been conducted incorrectly and then we have various attempts to get a majority of the executive to cover their backs.
What you and I have described, maybe in different terms, is the culmination of years of unrest, ignored in typical fashion. There is only one side at fault even if both sides ultimately made mistakes over the defining issue.

 

[ransomes52]

How many people do you k

What sort of a statement is that IGNORANT, BADLY THOUGHT OUT , TALKING DOWN TO SOMEONE, can only come from an S.O.P. supporter. Roy deserves to plough for England earned from ploughing a winning plot rather than wiping someones rear end which makes a change . I for one wish him the very best of luck and seen as tho I won`t be wasting my time at York will be there in Wales to support him where I might add there will be a bigger welcome than at the British, ploughmen competing at the Welsh national will be treat to a meal when they finish ploughing you won`t even get a cuppa at the British and when the Welsh do their accounts they will still have made profit something that seems to be a miracle if it happens at S.O.P.

How many people do you know that have ploughed in the European or World matches due to wiping someones rear end and not doing it on merit?