The AGM of the Village Trust was held at the village hall on Monday 21 May at 8pm.
Six members of the Trust were present and four residents in attendance.
The chairperson, Mrs Maria Swindell and Secretary Mrs Helen Cunliffe gave a combined report on the year’s activities.
They thanked the organisers of the pre-school group, the Young Revellers, for establishing a play area at the rear of the hall and for making a further £300 available to add to the Trust’s own funds required for surfacing the path and steps leading to this paved area which the Trust hopes to refurbish in the very near future.
It was reported that the lettings of the hall had increased. Events held in the hall had been very well received The ‘Old Time Music Hall’ presented by Rugby Theatre had proved so popular that it is to become an annual event. The Live and Local production ‘Daniel Smith’s Blues Band’ filled the hall with a hugely enthusiastic audience. Unfortunately the performance by Hickie, an Indie Rock Band, had to be cancelled due to lack of support. The Chairperson commented that the younger generation did not respond well to events held in the hall and for this reason any plans for a youth group had been shelved for the time being.
Mrs Swindell thanked the Parish Council for the work carried out in the playing field. The repair of the benches, cutting the hedge and bushes, levelling the field and cutting the grass had greatly improved the appearance of the area. The installation of the Multiplay system by the Trust late last year has been warmly welcomed by local families. It now remains for the Trust to raise sufficient funds to provide safety surfacing under the two older pieces of equipment for the playing field tomeet all requirements under health and safety regulations.
Two resignations, that of Mrs Zoe Baxter and Mrs Gill Berridge were recorded by Mrs Swindell who thanked them for their valued contribution to the Trust.
Mrs Swindell closed her remarks with thanks to the secretary, Helen Cunliffe and treasurer, Tony Grimshaw for all their hard work during the year and Joanna Morris-Jones for obtaining various grants for the playing field equipment.
The Treasurer Tony Grimshaw reported that the Trust had experienced a successful year, making small profits on the entertainments held in the hall, and an increase of income from the regular letting of the hall to various groups. He is having difficulty in changing suppliers of gas and electricity but hoped to find a more economical source in the near future. Insurance is also being reviewed because of legislation covering lettings of the hall to various groups.
The
election of the committee followed. Mrs. Swindell had considered resignation
from her position as chairperson due to increased duties
at work but because
of the
resignation of the vice chairperson, Mrs Gill Berridge, Mrs Swindell
agreed to continue in a caretaker role until a replacement could be
found.
No one was willing to accept the post of Vice chairperson. Mrs Helen Cunliffe was again appointed as secretary and Tony Grimshaw will retain his post of Treasurer. Mrs Julie Blogg will take over the duties of booking secretary.
The committee members are Mrs Patricia Barnett and Mrs Joanna
Morris-Jones. The committee were pleased to welcome Mrs Lesley French and
Mr Buddy
Perriera as new members.
There being no further the meeting closed at 9.10 pm.