The Tai Chi Union For Great Britain

Sword Ban petition

Sunday 25 March 2007 at 09:49 am Union Instructor Dan McGiff emailed a link to an online petition against The proposed ban on the import, sale and manufacture of swords:

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Reconsider an outright ban on swords.

The proposed ban on the import, sale and manufacture of swords will have an adverse effect on legitimate practitioners, collectors and manufacturers. Actual sword related crime is very rare and does not warrant a ban that affects the cultural activities of thousands of legitimate martial artists, collectors and smiths. Current legislation is quite adequate to deal with violent crime connected with bladed weapons. New legislation is merely for show. Enforcing such a ban will also affect cultural events such as Scottish Sword Dancing and many Sikh festivals. We urge the PM to reconsider this knee jerk reaction to media influenced scaremongering.

Petition the Prime Minister to Reconsider an outright ban on swords.

Update David Radford of Tai Chi finder sent me this information:

Scotland

A proposed ban on sword sales to be put before the Scottish Parliament in the Autumn with exemptions swords for Highland dancing, museum displays, historical re-enactments, fencing and martial arts.

Commercial sellers will have to comply with strict new licensing conditions, including keeping records of all sales.

see BBC NEWS | Scotland | Glasgow and West | Swords ban to beat violent crime

The situation in the UK generally:

The Home Office may ban sale, import and hire of replica samurai swords by the end of the year.

Consultation on Samurai sword ban : Directgov - Newsroom

John Johnston

TCUGB AGM - PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION:

Wednesday 21 March 2007 at 5:14 pm The Executive Committee have considered how best to involve a greater number of the membership in decisions. It is appreciated that as a national organisation some members find it difficult to attend the Annual General Meeting. To address this problem and amend some minor drafting errors in the existing Constitution, The Executive propose the following amendments to the Constitution:

Item 5. a. ii. - To be amended to remove "at the General Meeting of the Union".
Item 5. b. - To be amended to remove "at any General Meeting of the Union".
Item 31 - To be amended to remove "at a General Meeting" and replaced with "by the members entitled to vote, using e.mail or postal delivery".
Item 37 - To be amended to remove "of those present at a General Meeting" to be replaced with "by those members entitled to vote".
Item 8 - To be amended to remove "fifteen" and replaced with "ten". Additional wording to be added after "members." To be "If in any year the number of nominees for the Executive Committee exceeds the vacancies then the election of the Executive Committee and officeholders will be by ballot using postal or e.mail delivery within the timescale set in the notice seeking votes".
Item 25 - To be amended to remove "a. The election of the Executive Committee and officerholders. Subject to the requirements of paragraph 12, nominations for members of the Executive Committee must be made by members of the TCUGB eligible to vote. Should nominations exced vacancies, election shall be by ballot. b." to be replaced with "Presentation of the Annual Report of the TCUGB and other items agreed by the Executive Committee".
Item 27 - To be amended to include ", by e.mail" following the word "personally".
Item 7 (d) - Replace reference to "paragraph 8" with "paragraph 7 c."
Item 16 - Replace reference to "paragraph 19A" with "paragraph 15 a."

Directions to AGM pdf

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John Johnston

TCUGB AGM, WORKSHOPS & DEMOS, 31st March, 2-5pm

Wednesday 21 March 2007 at 4:59 pm CHINESE GUEST VISITORS

�20 for Union members, �25 for non members.

All welcome.

Regarding the demo by Chinese teachers, master Liu is happy to demonstrate Chang Style's 24 Chi Quan, Ba Gua Ji Zhua Axe, Double Snake Palm, & Dragon/Pheonix Double Sword. Teacher Li will demonstrate Tong Bei Quan, Ba Ji Quan and Modern Wushu Sword.

As for workshops, master Liu will teach Chang style four posture connecting form. Teacher Li will teach Ba Ji Quan, a traditional Chinese internal martial art.

Directions to AGM pdf

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John Johnston

TCUGB AGM

Sunday 11 March 2007 at 09:39 am NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual General Meeting of the Tai Chi Union for Great Britain will be held on 31st March 2007 at Furnival Building Gymnasium, Archway Campus of Middlesex University, 2 - 10 Highgate Hill, London N19 5LW commencing at 2.00pm for the following purpose:

AGENDA

1. To read the Notice convening the Meeting.

2. Minutes of last Annual General Meeting and any matters arising.

3. To receive the Annual Report as required by the Constitution.

4. To receive nominations for the Executive Committee members and Officers in accordance with the Constitution. Present holders are:

Gary Wragg (Executive and Chairman)

Dan Docherty (Executive)

Marnix Wells (Executive and Vice Chairman)

David Hackett (Executive)

Shelagh Grandpierre (Executive)

Andreas Schoter (Executive)

Faye Yip (Executive)

Karen Limb (Executive)

Peter Ballam (Executive and Secretary)

Please note that all members with the exception of Karen Limb, offer themselves for re-election. Nominations for members of the Executive Committee must be made by members of the TCUGB who are eligible to vote and must be made to the Secretary by post or e.mail before midnight Thursday 29th March 2007. Nominations can also be made in person at the AGM. Nominees must fulfill the requirements set out in Clause 8 b. of the Constitution. The nominations will be posted on the website so members can vote on any new appointments within 10 days of the AGM. The new Executive will take their posts following the voting period.

5. Any Other Business.

If a member wishes to raise any item under this section, please ensure that a written submission is made to the Secretary, by post or e.mail, at least 5 working days before the meeting so it can be considered for inclusion by the Executive members.

By Order of the Executive Committee. Date: 11 March, 2007

Note: A member entitled to attend and vote at the Meeting is entitled to appoint a Proxy to attend and vote on his/her behalf, such Proxy needs to be in writing.

Directions to AGM pdf

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John Johnston