Lewes, Sussex. Saturday, November 14th. 1964. 

By R.W. Morrell

The historic first A.G.M. of the Thomas Paine Society took place in the Sussex town of Lewes on Saturday, November 14th. It was a fitting conclusion to a very active year’s work and fittingly held in a town with many Paine associations. 

Welcoming members and visitors to the meeting held in the Unitarian Church Hall, the Chairman, Christopher Brunel, drew attention to Paine’s connections with the town. Paine, Mr. Brunel pointed out, was an excise man, hardly a profession to make him popular. But popular he was. 

Following the Chairman, the Mayor of Lewes, Coun. A.C. Barber, welcomed the Society to the town. He told us how delighted he was to hear that the meeting would be held in Lewes and he welcomed the members both as Mayor of Lewes and a member of the Society. Paine had received his political apprenticeship in the town, The Mayor stated. Before concluding Councillor Barber told of the Paine discovery (reported on another page) and invited those present to visit the Mayor’s Parlour at the Town Hall during the tour of the town in the afternoon. 

The Chairman thanked the Mayor and then the business meeting commenced. Apologies were read from the President, Michael Foot, M.P., Mr. R. Sorenson, M.P. (Now Lord Sorenson), Earl Russell at this point the Chairman rose to point out that at a meeting held in connection with Paine at Lewes in 1904, a Lord Russell had sent apologies for not being able to attend, Mr.Blaydon, Mr. Cutner and Coun.Francis. 

The Secretary then presented the Annual Report. This detailed the work undertaken from the foundation of the Society and the Secretary stated that while much had been achieved, the aims of the Society were far from being accomplished. 

The national press had given the Society fair coverage as had many papers of a more local character. Society speakers had taken part in television programmes while others addressed meetings in a number of places. The Society published during the year a Bulletin and two leaflets. 

We received enquiries from individuals engaged in research work, information and material was supplied dealing with Paine, Hardy and the London Corresponding Society, the Society having traced a copy of the rare Moral and Philosophical Magazine of the London Correspond- ing Society. 

In concluding, the Secretary dealt with future activities. We hoped to hold many more meetings in areas were we had few if any members. We wanted closer co-operation with other bodies and he instanced that which had developed between us and the Labour, Co-operative, Trade Union and Democratic History Society. 

Following the Report the financial statement was given and then came the election of Officials and Council. This was followed by a full discussion on past activities, future policy and finance. Many interesting suggestions were advanced which will be locked into by the Council. 

After lunch members went on a conducted tour of Lewes, the highlight of which was a visit to the Town Hall to see the Paine signatures. In the evening a meeting was held at which Mr. Amphlett Micklewright delivered a stimulating address, this is available on tape, cost for three days loan being 5/-. The meeting brought to a close a very interesting day, one that members will long remember. 

TAILPIECE 

Ex-Councillor Mayes of Thetford, he resigned his Council seat over the erection of the Paine statue, failed in a bid for nomination to his former seat.