Ladies and Gentlemen, - The first thing we have to do is to put before you the Annual Report. I think you have all got a copy of that Report, and as it is rather long you would scarcely be inclined to hear the Secretary read it. With your permission, therefore, we will take the Report as read, and it is now my duty, according to custom, to move its adoption. I shall, perhaps, have a word or two to say about the action of the Society later on, but I may say now that this time, at all events, we have got the privilege of meeting in one of those old buildings which it is our duty and privilege to protect, and that I think is a very considerable gain. I need not call much attention to it, because you can see with your own eyes what a very valuable piece of architecture and antiquity it is. Perhaps some of you may not know that a member of this Society, Mr. Waterhouse, has been repairing it, and I think you will agree with us that he has done no harm, but a great deal of good to it. It is rather an example of what ought to be done with buildings of this kind. I may also say that we have here a drawing of the building by Mr. Paul Waterhouse, which is well worthy looking at. I now beg to move the adoption of the Report.
Speech Proposing the Adoption of the Annual Report (1887).
1. 8 June 1887: Before the Annual Meeting of SPAB held at the Old Hall, Staple Inn, Chancery Lane, London. Morris was chairman.
1. The Times, 9 June 1887, p. 7.
2. The Architect, 10 June 1887, p. 346.
1. [Untitled] in SPAB Report, 1887, (London 1887), pp. 51-52.