The Clan Home Association held its Annual General Meeting in different places each year. Two have been held at the Hirsel, the beautiful Scottish home of the Earl and Countess of Home in Coldstream, Berwickshire. Others have been held in The Caledonian Club, HM Tower of London, in the Surrey home of Brigadier Dick Hume and now the Pump Room in Bath.
This October two days were given over to both the meeting , exploring Bath, social events culminating in dinner in one of the City’s fine restaurants with attendance on Sunday at Morning Service in Bath Abbey and lunch in The Jazz Café owned by Charles Home. The week end was organised with great care by Charles’ parents Mary and Douglas Home.
The Association’s President The Earl of Home chaired the meeting starting as has become his custom with a fascinating overview of world affairs as seen from his position as Chairman of Coutts Bank His quiet sense of humour and his knowledge of key people all over the world combine to give the Clan members an insight from their much travelled Chief.
This year’s meeting recorded further growth in Membership, in particular from overseas; a report on the sound financial position of the Association; and reports of activities by its members including The Gathering in Edinburgh’s Holyrood Park in the presence of The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay and an important meeting held at the Home tent when a distinguished group of Border Clan Chiefs came together to discuss ways and means of working more closely together to help promote greater awareness of the beautiful Border countryside to tourists from home and abroad.
On this subject the Clan are planning to have their third Clan Gathering in September 2013 to coincide with the 500th Anniversary of the Battle of Flodden. Dr Ian Maitland Hume the Clan’s Convenor hopes to arrange a meeting of Eastern Border Clan Chiefs to set the wheels in motion for a major coming together on this occasion.
A report on the opening of Home Lines in Lisburn was given and it is hoped that the Clan Association will work more closely with the Lowland Gunners who are the 40th Regiment Royal Artillery.
Dr Maitland Hume welcomed William Charles as the Association’s new Secretary and David Hume-Miller as a new Trustee of Hume Castle. At the same time he reported on the use of the Castle for wedding ceremonies and ideas for encouraging more visitors during the summer season. Discussions were also had on the concept of developing a Visitor Centre to add to the awareness of the long and fascinating history of the Eastern Marches.
An intriguing report was tabled from our American Council Member Jim Hume on the results of the DNA research to date into the relationships of different branches of the greater Home/Hume family. All in all this the AGM was felt to have markedly .progressed the friendship and growth of the Clan as its members share knowledge about their families. Charles Home produced a meticulously produced family tree for everyone to study after an excellent lunch held in the Pump Room.
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