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Hon. Secretary Dr Keith C Marshall

76 Ennismore Avenue Greenford, UB6 0JW

UK

Email: [email protected] Web: www.anthonypowell.org

Anthony Powell Society Registered Charity No. 1096873

Annual Report & Accounts 2016 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016

Anthony Powell Society Annual Report 2016

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© The Anthony Powell Society, 2016. All rights reserved. Printed by Lonsdale Direct Solutions, Wellingborough, UK.

The Anthony Powell Society

The Anthony Powell Society is an unincorporated association of members governed by its Constitution. The Society was registered as a charity in England & Wales on 7 April 2003. Registered Charity No. 1096873.

The Society’s aim and objectives, as stated in the Constitution, are:

To advance, for the public benefit, education and interest in the life and works of the English author Anthony Dymoke Powell. This Aim shall be achieved by: 1. The facilitation, support and undertaking of appropriate research 2. The promotion and undertaking of relevant educational opportunities 3. Other such related charitable purposes as the trustees may from time to

time decide.

Society Trustees

The Society’s Trustees on 31 March 2016 were:

Robin Bynoe (Vice-Chairman) Jeffrey Manley LLB

Dr Keith C Marshall (Hon. Secretary) Dr Derek WJ Miles,FICE, FCMI Harry Mount Graham HJ Page (Hon. Treasurer) AC (Tony) Robinson MA(Oxon), DEconPSc (Chairman) Prof. John Roe Elwin Taylor

A current list of all the Society’s officers is given on page 12.

Bankers

HSBC Bank plc, 315 Fulham Road, London, SW10 9QJ CAF, 25 Kings Hill Avenue, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4TA


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Chairman’s Foreword

Recently I went to Foyles to buy a replacement copy of Cyril Connolly’s Enemies of Promise. Unsure in which category it would be found, I approached the counter. Not available, the computer said. “Temporarily out of print?” I asked. “Since 2005,” said the young man with a wan, but not entirely unself-satisfied, smile, gesturing towards a shelf full of manga comics by way of solace. Enemies of Promise used to be considered one of the essential books of the century. Now it is fading away. Although much of what our Society does is genial get-togethers, we must never forget that our main job is to keep AP current, before the public, and particularly before the young public. We can’t assume that it will happen if we don’t work at it.

This has been a year between two successful conferences, in Venice and York. The sole set-piece event was the Annual Lecture, postponed from 2014 to 2015 and held at the Wallace Collection on 10 April 2015. Stephen Lloyd, the recent biographer of Constant Lambert, talked on “The Curious Case of Casanova’s Chinese Restaurant: Constant Lambert and his friendship with Anthony Powell”. Mr Lloyd is an extreme adherent of the ‘Constant Lambert is Hugh Moreland’ tendency, but made his case with conviction, charm and an array of fascinating facts. It is a shame if, as seems likely, that is our last outing to the Wallace Collection, at any rate for the time being.

The Newsletter, under Stephen Walker’s editorship, expanded in size. He even has a backlog of articles submitted for which room has not yet been found, which compares creditably with the publications of some other societies, all of which are written by the editor under different pen-names. Articles often come out of left field: the view is taken that as AP was supremely a comic writer there is no call to be po-faced about him. There is also an attempt to put him into the context of his contemporaries. For those who appreciate the meatier approach and delight in a good footnote, there are a new edition of Secret Harmonies and two sets of conference proceedings in the works.

As I say, get-togethers are an important element of what we do and there were pub lunches, outings, and in America the rather more high-minded versions of those activities thought appropriate there. I am always amazed at the good nature with which the Society carries on its activities. I suspect that this owes a lot to the benign style of Tony Robinson, my predecessor as Chairman. I hope that when I step aside in the fullness of time I can leave the Society in as civilised a state as he has.

Robin Bynoe Chairman


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Hon. Secretary’s Report

Summary. Although the only major event was the Anthony Powell Lecture, the reporting year 2015-16 was again an unexpectedly busy one for the Society with the preparations for the Conference which was moved to April 2016, very shortly following the reporting period.

Membership. This year we have seen a fur ther decrease in overall membership. The year started with 296 members; there was a net loss of 16 during the year with 20 new members but 36 being lost. As observed before, this reduction, and indeed losses over preceding years, mostly appear to be the result of two factors: “natural wastage”, not just death but members who are often terminally ill; and members not renewing due to the continuing depressed economic environment. From the feedback received it is not obviously due to any lack on the part of the Society – excepting perhaps the ability to run events in every corner of the UK, not to say the world. Little can be done about the “natural wastage” and we can only counteract the economic situation by continuing to provide interest for members and value for money. The membership demographics are shown in the table below.

The Society must continue to recruit – as well as retain – every possible member. It is therefore important that we continue to invest in flagship events, such as the conferences and annual lecture, and where possible take advantage of other sensible and affordable avenues to increase membership – the “5 years for the price of 4” membership offer certainly helps, with around 40% of members taking advantage. The Society continues to need more younger members – they are our future life-blood – and of course more volunteers. Ideas for attracting members are always welcomed, as is any recruitment which existing members can achieve.

2015 2014 2016

Total Members 296 305 280

Joint Members ** Individual Members Student Members Honorary Life Members

42 (17%) 248 (84%)

2 (1%) 4 (1%)

40 (13%) 259 (85%)

2 (1%) 4 (1%)

42 (15%) 231 (83%)

3 (1%) 4 (1%)

UK USA & Canada Rest of Europe Rest of the World

199 (67%) 64 (22%) 24 (8%) 9 (3%)

203 (67%) 68 (22%) 24 (8%) 10 (3%)

186 (66%) 61 (22%) 23 (8%) 10 (4%)

Countries Represented 15 15 17

Members Gained 18 39 20

Members Lost 27 16 36

Membership Demographics as at 31 March 2016 ** Joint members are counted as 2 members


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Officers and Trustees. In accordance with the Constitution, two Society Trustees, Dr Keith Marshall and Tony Robinson retired by rotation at the AGM on 24 October 2015. Both agreed to continue as Trustees and were duly re-elected.

Subsequent to the AGM the Trustees asked Tony Robinson to continue as Chairman. While Tony agreed, he did say he wished to stand down as Chairman at an appropriate time after the 2016 conference but before the 2016 AGM. As a consequence Robin Bynoe was elected as Vice-Chairman with the intention that in due course he become Chairman (which he did at the end of May 2016).

Given Dr Derek Miles previously stated wish to stand down as Hon. Treasurer, Graham Page was appointed in his place, as had been planned. Dr Keith Marshall was asked, and agreed, to continue as Hon. Secretary, although he too has given notice that he wishes to stand down as Hon. Secretary no later than 2021.

It was with great sadness that we learnt of the sudden and unexpected death of Vice-President Julian Allason in October 2015. It is largely thanks to Julian that the Society exists as it was at his instigation that shortly after Powell's death a small group convened to organise the first (2001) conference at Eton College – the Society being formed to facilitate this. The Society was represented at Julian’s memorial service by Stephen Walker. We send our condolences, once again, to Julian’s family.

A full list of the current officers is on page 12.

Conference. Although not a conference year much effor t has been applied, especially by Prof. John Roe and Keith Marshall, to the organisation of the April 2016 conference in York with the theme of “Anthony Powell, Shakespeare and Other Literary Influences”. This conference, which fell in the 2016-17 year was highly successful and attracted international academic as well as enthusiast interest. A fuller report will be provided in the 2016-17 Annual Report.

Events. The major Society event dur ing the year was the Anthony Powell Lecture. This was the delayed 2014 lecture given by Stephen Lloyd, biographer of Constant Lambert, on “The Curious Case of Casanova’s Chinese Restaurant: Constant Lambert and his friendship with Anthony Powell” at the Wallace Collection on 10 April 2015.

Subsequent to the Lecture the Wallace Collection indicated that they could no longer support the Lecture and we needed to find a new venue. This, plus problems getting potential speakers to commit dates, has caused a hiatus with the next Lecture now unlikely until at least Autumn 2016. The Society wishes to thank the Wallace Collection for supporting the Lecture over a number of years.

As previously mentioned the AGM was held on Saturday 24 October 2015 at St James’s Church, Piccadilly, London and was again well attended. Following the formal business those present heard a talk “Bohemian Exhibits: Anthony Powell and the ‘rackety’ world of the British inter-war avant garde” from Dr Jonathan Black, being a reprise of his talk from the 2014 Venice Conference.


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On the morning of Saturday 27 June 2015 Ivan Hutnik led another London walk “Further Meanderings in the Footsteps of Milly Andriadis and Charles Stringham” through St James’s and Mayfair which concluded with lunch in Shepherd Market.

Saturday 5 September 2015 saw a group of members gathering for a day out in the historic Cinque Port of Rye. Rye, and its environs, is well supplied with literary and artistic associations, including a number of Powell’s friends such as Gerald Reitlinger and artist Ed Burra.

Other events held during the year included the Hon. Secretary’s New Year Brunch, the traditional Powell Birthday celebration lunches in both London and New York, quarterly local group meetings in London and New York as well as occasional meetings by the other local groups.

Commemorative Plaque. As repor ted some while back the Society has applied to the City of Westminster for the erection of a (green) commemorative plaque. The original hope was that this would be on Anthony Powell’s birthplace, 44 Ashley Gardens, London SW1; however agreement was not forthcoming from the Ashley Gardens Estate Management Board. Discussions are continuing with the City of Westminster with a view to placing the plaque on the site of Powell’s first London rooms at 9 Shepherd Street, Shepherd Market, W1. Accordingly the Trustees continue to hold £2200 in reserve towards the cost of the plaque; much of which was raised by members at the 2011 and 2013 Conferences.

Publications. This year has again not seen any significant new Society, or indeed Powell-related, publications. There remains a backlog of conference papers, talks and articles awaiting publication in Secret Harmonies as well as the proceedings of the 2013 and Venice conferences. This backlog is being progressed, albeit slowly, and the outstanding materials will be published as soon as possible.

The quarterly Newsletter – which concentrates on shorter and more topical Powell-related articles, reviews, news, trivia and Society information – continues to go from strength to strength under Stephen Walker’s editorship with three of the year’s four issues being 40 pages. Newsletter continues to receive appreciation from members for its depth, diversity and interest.

As legally required all Society publications are deposited with the British Library and, as they have requested, with the other UK Copyright Libraries. We also contribute, free of charge, copies of the Newsletter and Secret Harmonies to the Bodleian Library; Balliol College, Oxford; The London Library; Eton College Library; The Travellers’ Club; Georgetown University, Washington, DC; and MLA International Bibliography in New York.

Merchandise. No new merchandise has been produced this year. However the on-line shop continues to provide a small stream of merchandise sales despite the ongoing need to adjust prices to reflect the rapid escalation in postal charges.


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Archive. The most significant addition to the Society’s Archive during the reporting year was the gift, by Victoria Hyde and her siblings, of an annotated manuscript photocopy of Powell’s Hearing Secret Harmonies belonging to James Broom-Lynne who designed the dust jacket.

Work is continuing slowly on the reorganisation and preservation of the Nancy Cutbirth Small materials as well as the indexing of the complete Archive.

The Society is in the early stages of discussing with the Powell family a possible project to photographically record Anthony Powell’s collages in the Boiler Room of his house, The Chantry near Frome. As might be expected the collages are gradually deteriorating and, if successful, the project will ensure they are recorded, as a work of art, for posterity; it is hoped that it may be possible to deposit a copy of the final images with a major museum as well as in the Society Archive.

Other Activities. Through the persons of the Hon. Secretary and Vice-President Patric Dickinson, the Society has continued to work with the Powell family in reviewing and planning approaches to the enhancement of interest in Powell and the availability of his works.

As well as hosting the Anthony Powell website the Society has a Facebook page, Twitter account and runs the APLIST email discussion list. These facilities are open to all. The Facebook page has around 140 followers and the APLIST around 225; many of these followers are not Society members. The reporting year saw over 800 contributions to APLIST discussions.

The Society’s officers regularly respond to enquiries from researchers, the media and other persons interested in Powell.

Policy on Reserves. The Trustees budget each year to cover the basic costs of running the Society from membership income and for each event, including conferences, to be self-funding. Financial reserves are maintained in order to facilitate expenditure of capital sums on the production or purchase of merchandise and publications, expansion of the Society’s Archive, subsidising and underwriting risks associated with flagship events (eg. conferences, annual lecture), reduced membership and conference fees for students, and other appropriate activities; the cost of servicing members who have paid subscriptions in advance has also to be covered, as does the underwriting of various risks.

Risk Management. The Trustees considered r isk management and business continuity in accordance with the recommendations of the Charity Commission. They are satisfied that appropriate precautions and procedures are in place to manage risks and this is kept under regular review.

Critical computer-based files held by the Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer are regularly backed up and copies held off-site from the original; this is achieved by the Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer swapping backups on a monthly basis. Each also holds a copy of the other’s basic processes and task definitions. The Society carries public liability insurance cover which is a pre-requisite for hiring most venues, as well as providing protection in the event of accident to volunteers.


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Public Benefit. The Trustees have paid due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit in deciding what activities the Society should undertake. The Trustees consider that some benefits can be most effectively and efficiently delivered through a membership structure which also provides personnel, and basic funding, to carry out its work. The main activities undertaken by the Society in order to carry out its objects for the public benefit are:

Publication of its journal, Secret Harmonies, the quarterly Newsletter, papers from the conferences and other occasional publications and monographs.

Making information publicly available via its website, email discussion list, Facebook page, Twitter account and weblogs.

Building and maintaining the Society’s Archive and providing access for members and bona fide researchers.

Staging conferences, the annual Anthony Powell Lecture and other meetings, lectures and similar events.

With the Powell family, seeking to (a) influence policy on the continuing publication of Anthony Powell’s work, (b) encourage continuing academic research into Powell’s work and (c) ensure a permanent place for Powell in the canon and history of English literature.

Assistance to the media, researchers and the general public in answering enquiries relating to Anthony Powell and his work.

As a general principle all the Society’s events are open to non-members unless there is good reason to restrict access (eg. to the AGM).

Personnel. The Society relies on its Trustees, officers and other members giving their time freely to organise its activities. Without those contributions, which in many cases are in addition to professional work schedules, the Society would have to spend a substantial sum on salaries and consultancy fees. However relying on volunteers does mean that resource is not always available when ideally required, which in turn means work has to be prioritised and deliverables are not always available as quickly as desired.

Too much of the Society’s activity continues to revolve around the person of the Hon. Secretary, although work is continuing to try to mitigate this as a risk. Nevertheless further volunteers, who are able to take on officer roles, are always needed. The Society must not lose sight of the need to begin planning a hand-over of the Hon. Secretary’s role within the next few years.

Once again all those who have been involved with the running and organisation of the Society during the year are sincerely thanked for their efforts – without them there would be no Society!


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Looking Forward to 2015-16 and Beyond. By the time this repor t appears the 2016 conference weekend in York (being held in conjunction with the English Department of University of York; 8-10 April 2016) will be behind us. Further events, including a London walk, a day out in Oxford and a trip to the Globe Theatre, are planned, in addition to the regulars – AGM, London and New York group meetings and Anthony Powell Birthday Lunches. Discussions are continuing to arrange the Annual Anthony Powell Lecture at an early date in a new central London venue (details to be confirmed).

In addition to all this the Trustees are investing effort in reviewing and revising the Society’s strategic plan. This was last done formally 10 years ago so it is due for an update. It is hoped to complete this in Summer 2016.

Even in a non-conference year there is much work to do to keep the Society progressing. Given the prevailing constitutional, political and economic uncertainty in the UK the Trustees need to remain extra vigilant in protecting the Society and working for growth.

Dr Keith C Marshall Hon. Secretary


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Hon. Treasurer’s Report

Financial Results. I am pleased to report on the financial activities of the Anthony Powell Society for the year ended 31 March 2016. Once again the Society has achieved a satisfactory net income, recording a surplus of £4,017. Although the York Conference took place in Financial Year 2016-17 its income and anticipated expenditure is included in these accounts. In comparing results with the previous year we are therefore comparing two years each of which included a conference.

Receipts. Income from membership subscr iptions showed a pleasing increase of 27% on 2014-15, though this is mainly for technical reasons rather than resulting from a rise in membership numbers nor, happily, from an increase in subscriptions. The York Conference, while not as productive as its Venetian predecessor, nevertheless accounted for nearly half the Society’s income for the year. Other income streams were not significantly different from the previous year’s, with donations and Gift Aid again proving very beneficial. Although the investment income obtainable without undue risk remains low, the Society’s main savings reserve was moved to a new interest-bearing account during the year, generating a slightly higher level of interest.

Payments. Costs were managed prudently dur ing the year, with minor variations on the previous year mainly reflecting activities undertaken, such as the Lecture. Conference costs accounted for more than half of total expenditure, though they were significantly lower than those for Venice. A charitable donation was made to The Melanoma Research Association in memory of Vice-President Julian Allason.

Assets and Liabilities. The Society’s reserves remain healthy and, accordingly, no increase in overall subscription levels is seen as necessary in 2016-17. Nevertheless the Society must maintain sufficient funds to cover future costs of providing services to members who have paid subscriptions in advance, to underwrite risks in relation to major events, to fund the production of merchandise, to cover the costs of the publishing backlog, and to absorb risks related to uninsured stock.

Thanks. Taking over as Treasurer has been made easy by the advice and guidance given by my predecessor, Derek Miles, and by our independent examiner, Eddie Hathaway. Thanks are due to both these gentlemen and to our Honorary Secretary, Keith Marshall, whose support and attention to detail have been unstinting.

Graham Page Hon. Treasurer


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Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2016

2016 2015 £ £ £ £

RECEIPTS Membership Subscriptions 7836 6174 Conference 9485 14553 Other Events 715 1754 Merchandise 201 286 Donations 486 718 Commission on Book Sales 27 0 HM Revenue & Customs (Gift Aid) 1051 987 Investment Income 221 159 Other 64 64 20086 24695 PAYMENTS Conference 9879 13423 Events 1170 1291 Merchandise Stock Purchase 18 0 Add Opening Stock 1564 1608 Less Closing Stock 1567 15 1564 44 Printing and Stationery 2771 3532 Postage 1031 2191 Telephone and Conference Calls 113 15 Information Technology 328 549 Society Membership 15 15 Insurance 177 175 Bank & PayPal Charges 456 685 Archive 14 168 Charitable Donation 100 0 16069 22088

Net Income 4017 2607 Reserves Brought Forward 47020 44413 Reserves Carried Forward 51037 47020

Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31 March 2016

2016 2015 £ £ £ £ £ £

FIXED ASSETS Stock of Merchandise 1567 1564

CURRENT ASSETS Bank Accounts HSBC Current Account 22085 16621 CAF Accounts 1546 41926 Shawbrook Accounts 47618 Gift Aid Recoverable 500 71749 300 58847

LIABILITIES Subscriptions Received in Advance 7681 6656 Reserved for Commemorative Plaque 2200 2200 Reserve against Conference Costs 8922 Reserve against Outstanding Publications 4300 3500 Other 0 23103 48646 1035 13391 45456

50213 47020


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Society Officers and Trustees at August 2016

Patron 1 John MA Powell

President 1,2 The Earl of Gowrie PC, FRSL (2016)

Vice-Presidents 1,2 Patric Dickinson LVO, MA(Oxon) (2018) Michael C Meredith (2016) Jeremy Warren FSA (2016)

Trustees & Executive Committee Members 2

Robin Bynoe (2017) Jeffrey Manley LLB 3 (2017) Dr Keith C Marshall (2018) Dr Derek WJ Miles FICE, FCMI (2016) Harry Mount (2016) Graham HJ Page (2017) AC (Tony) Robinson MA(Oxon), DEconPSC (2018) Prof. John Roe (2017) Elwin Taylor (2016)

Chairman Robin Bynoe

Hon. Secretary Dr Keith C Marshall

Hon. Treasurer Graham HJ Page

Membership Secretary Dr Keith C Marshall

Merchandise Secretary Robin Bynoe

Editor Stephen Walker 4

Hon. Archivist Noreen Marshall AMA

Webmaster Dr Keith C Marshall

Conference Organiser Prof. John Roe

Social Secretary Stephen Walker

Publisher Dr Keith C Marshall

Local Group Organisers Dr Nicholas Birns, Dr Joanne Edmonds, Dr Keith C Marshall, Regina Rehbinder, Joan Williams

Notes. All officers of the Society are unpaid volunteers and serve in an honorary capacity. 1 Non-executive officers 2 Due for re-election in year shown 3 Resident in USA 4 Co-opted to the Executive Committee

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