The Lock Collectors Association have booked the same venue as last year, The Holiday Inn, Derby, UK. Those that wish to stay on the Saturday night and/or on the Sunday night can book their rooms here: www.hiderbynottinghamhotel.co.uk .
We will also have an evening meal/socialising in the on-site restaurant/bar (very enjoyable last year) and free sandwiches at lunchtime (for members only)

Address/contact details for the venue:
Holiday Inn Derby-Nottingham M1 J25
Bostocks Lane, Sandiacre
Nottingham, NG10 5NJ
Tel - 0115 921 0540, Fax - 0115 921 0545

Brian will be travelling up to Nottingham from Bournemouth on the Saturday leaving about mid-day and traveling back on the Monday morning and would be happy to car share with just a contribution to fuel costs. If you live more or less on route and would like to be picked up do let him know, First come first served of course. There will be plenty of room for up to 4/6 passengers and for your showcase and auction items that you may wish to bring. Any other members prepared to also offer car sharing please let me know and I will put other members, looking for a lift, in touch.

ALL NEW SHOWCASE

The Association is all about the members, this annual showcase is all about learning about the collections and areas of speciality of other members, it’s a great chance to show off your collection (with the safety of lovely new display cases available if your collections security is a worry). To this end a really spiffing Trophy has been donated by History Of Locks Museum for the ‘best or most imaginative display’. You get to keep it until the next AGM plus you also get a miniature to keep as a permanent reminder. The winner will be judged by the members present on just about any criteria they individually decide, but it is intended to not primarily be just about the quality of the items (or else the newest / less affluent collectors could feel unable to compete with more established collectors). It was designed and made by Danny Ritson from parts of antique locks in a delightful and impressively skilled manner and we hope that it will be the first of many. One thing the committee has decided, is that all our Awards should be bespoke and unique which should greatly increase the kudos of achievement for the winner. This is not just any award bought from an engravers supplies company - it is a real artwork !!

In 2016 AGM there is also going to be an award for literary achievement, it might be an article published in the newsletter, a paper along the lines of the Hobbs work, or might even be for a published book. Nominations for the award will be from members. So you have a full year to set down the products of your research to compete then, but please dont forget to make an effort this year as well to put on a display of items from your collection, to both inspire/inform other members and potential new members.

AUCTION
The auction is always popular, and this year promises to be equally enjoyable with a bumper number of items. It’s an opportunity for members to perhaps add something to your collection, but also to find new homes for those duplicates in your collection and realising a few pounds as well. There are no fees for selling or buying at this event. Please contact Brian if you want to include items, but you still can just bring things on the big day.

AGM
Although not normally a highlight of any voluntary associations year, anywhere in the world, this time we have all the normal joys of the Chairman's (yes -that's me) report, Treasurer's report and Secretary's report, Election of officers, AOB etc etc, but with the added excitement this time of a new constitution for the Association to enable it to move forward under the new committee to greater things.
Let the bunfight begin!