CHAIRMAN Jane Stopford-Russell welcomed members of the Haslemere Society to the 133rd annual general meeting held at Haslemere Hall.

The society, she said, has maintained a steady membership of 540 during the past year and represents a strong body of opinion in the town.

The society has submitted considered comments and opinions on all the major planning applications and appeals with a view to adding improvement to the schemes.

They are also mindful of the Government’s housing targets and the need for extra housing in Haslemere.

One of the highlights of the year was the unveiling of a blue plaque on Undershaw to commemorate Conan Doyle.

Having made a presentation to the two retiring committee members, Mike O’Neil and the president, Robert Serman, who had been in office for 12 years, she then introduced the speaker, Brian Howard, whose talk entitled ‘A Florist’s Tale’, was both entertaining and informative and much enjoyed by the audience.

Brian, a very well-known, past mayor of the town, and owner of Marley Flowers, talked about the development of his career and business as a florist, accompanied by interesting photographs from recent decades.

His talk also included the town’s activities, celebrations and markets, which he had played a major part in inaugurating,

The society will be hosting a new members event in January and it will be followed by their spring meeting in April when the speaker will be from the Surrey Hills Society.