Present: Lesley Sutcliffe (Chair), David Bradshaw(Acting Treasurer), Jenny Byrom(Elected Treasurer), Ann Cottell, Jackie Jay, Peter Watts, Maureen Bradshaw, Emily Colenso, Nicki Nutt, Susan Robson, Di Lucas Peter Herbert (Maintenance Officer) Mr & Mrs Phillimore, Mrs Sue Steele, Mr & Mrs Adams
Apologies: Robbie Robson, Helen Evans (Secretary - delayed in traffic!)
Lesley Sutcliffe welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Minutes of last AGM: Were summarised by Lesley and agreed
Treasurer's Report: David Bradshaw circulated copies of the accounts to all present. He confirmed that Jenny Byrom had now formally taken over the role of Treasurer and that the accounts had been handed over to her. Lesley again thanked David for his hard work and for keeping excellent records.
Chairman's Report: Lesley read the following report to the meeting:-
The committee has spent another busy year organising events for the village to enjoy.
It is always good to see these occasions well attended and we hope you have had fun.
Just in case you have forgotten, we held the Isle Abbotts Village Revue in the
marquee in July. I don't think anyone noticed the dreadful gale outside that evening
as the entertainment inside the tent was so riveting with one act after another taking
centre stage. What talent we have in this village! Again thank you to all those who
took part or helped in any way and to Tony Habberfield who kindly allowed us to use
his garden once again. We made a handsome profit that evening for the village hall
but felt it appropriate to donate £100 to the Red Cross Flood Appeal. We had a
traditional Harvest Supper in October which was well received with David Sutcliffe
leading some community singing. We planned a Christmas Meal with some
entertainment for the senior members of our community but had to cancel the event
due to lack of numbers - the date unfortunately clashed with events in other villages.
We thought it was about time that we held another New Year's Eve Party. The theme
was pantomime and the costumes were fantastic and very imaginative. Thanks to
Simon and Tom Jay and James Cottell for organising the music for the evening. We
had another Court Whist Night in February and a Music Quiz in March. Many thanks
to Peter and Gaynor Watts for organising these nights.
The village hall continues to have regular bookings throughout the week. The Singers
meet on Monday evenings, the Keep Fit on Tuesdays and the Playgroup now meet
four mornings a week. It is also used for meetings and private functions.
As a committee we try hard to maintain the hall for the village. We had the roof
repaired this year and Mike Riley undertook this work for us. We also will be
replacing the weather boarding. I am sure you have all noticed the improvement in
the patch at the front of the hall. Peter and Margaret Larcombe very kindly cleared
this area and donated and planted shrubs. The committee was very grateful for this
work, as this area had looked very unsightly for a long time. Peter Herbert continues
to do a great deal of maintenance work for us which we appreciate and again we
thank him for his hard work. For example, there are now new shelves at the back of
the hall for a music centre - many thanks to Jenny Byrom for donating this music
equipment. We invited ROSPA to inspect the site last year and the recommendation to
re-paint the climbing frame will be undertaken when the weather improves.
Again the village marquee was in demand last year. Thanks to John Lucas and Geoff
Colenso who continue to house and maintain it for us. They are also responsible for
bookings. A big thank you to all villagers who give up their time to help them erect
and dismantle the marquee. This is hard work and requires good team spirit. We are
also grateful to David Bradshaw & Peter Herbert who installs the electrics on each
occasion.
Last year I had to report a health and safety problem occurring in the playground. I
contacted the local Community Support Officer who dealt with the problem in a
sensible way and I am pleased to be able to tell you that we have had no further
incidents.
We have 13 members on the committee at present but would very much welcome
new members and new ideas. I would like to thank the committee for their continued
support and commitment, without which we would not be able to put on the events to
bring in funds to maintain the hall and more importantly keep the community
together, which I believe is so valuable in this modern world. I especially wish to
thank Ann Cottell who is stepping down from the committee after about 15 years.
Ann has always been a very active member, acting as Secretary for some years. We
wish her well in her retirement and in all her other interests.
Thank you for coming tonight and we look forward to another year of interesting and
enjoyable events.
At the end of her report, on behalf of the committee, Lesley presented Ann Cottell with a bouquet of flowers.
Election of Officers:
Lesley Sutcliffe (Chairman), Jenny Byrom(Treasurer), Helen Evans (Secretary) had
all agreed to continue in their posts for another year. They were proposed by Sue
Steele and seconded by David Bradshaw.
New Members: Kathleen Phillimore, Linda Adams
AOB: The floor was then opened for further discussion. Sue Steele suggested Sunday Morning Breakfasts, an idea which is successful in other villages. Jenny Byrom also suggested a Farmer's market. The committee agreed to consider both these ideas. Sue Steele asked whether the committee had looked into grants for village hall improvements. Kathleen Phillimore asked whether a grant would be available to refurbish the kitchen. Sue Steele suggested contacting the architect who was used for Ilton Village Hall as he may come up with ideas on hall alterations. Sue Steele agreed to look into availability of grants and thought a village hall Ôwish listÕ circulated to residents might be helpful. David Bradshaw reminded villagers that he has a circulation list of email addresses and contacts all on the list when there is anything new posted on the website. If anyone wishes to be on the list then contact David.
Lesley Sutcliffe thanked everyone for coming to the meeting and for their ideas. The meeting closed at 9pm