AGM for year of 2007
NETHER STOWEY TWINNING ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING for YEAR 2007
FRIDAY 1 FEBRUARY 2008
Approved Minutes (Approved at AGM 6 Feb 2009, Rose and Crown, 7.30)
Attendance: Terry Abbiss, Jacquie Bates, Heather and Eric Coates, Sue and Dave Davison, Bob du Barr, Jill Goodwin, Judith and Peter Greig, Rhu Griffiths, Sam Harcombe, Denis Harkness, Jenny Heydon, Thelma Hoare, Alison Jarrah, Rosie and Bob Keene, Kate O’ Byrne, Louise and Chris Parsons, Molly Thompson, Michelle and Tim Tribe, Theresa Youe,
1.Apologies: Liz Ashwell, Mark Baker, Alex Ballinger, Caroline Buck, Christine and Alan Corkett, Kerry and David Evans, Juliette Harkness, Shaun O’ Byrne, Christine Foyle, Jeanne and Jon McIntosh, Ann Mulligan, Pat Pardoe, Ruth Pickard, Laura Phillips, John Web, Maria Whitford, Meg Winfield
2.Minutes of the last AGM. These were approved.
3.Matters arising. There were none.
4.Chairman’s Report
30 people travelled to Theillay over the Easter weekend in 2007 and were joined by 3 members already in the village. As usual, the Theillay hosts put on an excellent programme of events which centred on the 10th Anniversary of Theillay’s association with Nether Stowey. However, in spite of the enthusiastic participation of the Nether Stowey team, the Twinning Cup remained in French hands for another year! During the weekend an opportunity was taken to have a joint Nether Stowey/Theillay Committee meeting where it was found that the problems of raising money and filling a coach for the biennial trips were common to everyone. The meeting resolved the question of when future visits should be scheduled so Theillay residents will travel to the UK on the first May Bank Holiday weekend while Nether Stowey will travel to France on the late May Bank Holiday weekend.
By the end of the year membership was up to 76 (compared to 51 in 2006) although 10 of these were the Richard Huish students who joined for the Theillay trip and are therefore unlikely to continue in membership. In addition there were 2 corporate memberships. Of the 43 Family subscriptions, only 13 included school children and of these, 6 were children of primary school age. It has been difficult to attract new members among families in Nether Stowey but it was hoped that more school age children may join as a result of the Village May Day Festival that will coincide with the next Theillay visit in May. Jean Higginson was thanked for her hard work collecting the Membership subscriptions.
Events of the past year included a very successful Car Boot Sale in the village, a Barbeque in June hosted by the O’Byrnes and the annual Boules Match in the Old Vicarage in September. The monthly quiz nights organised by Sue Davison also resumed in September followed by a Quantock Walk in October which also included lunch at the Village Hall. The annual Safari Supper organised by Alison Jarah was another very successful fundraiser with just over 50 people attending. Two of the events: the Boules and Quantock Walk were run jointly with Active Living and this has helped to promote Twinning activities to a wider audience. A calendar of events for 2008 has been provisionally drawn up.
The committee has not had a Chairperson during the year and three people have shared the Secretarial duties. Sadly the Garden Safari didn’t come to fruition in 2007 and the Safari Supper clashed with an event held in Over Stowey which meant that several of our members were unable to attend.
The “shop-window” in the middle of the village has provided an excellent display for Twinning information as well as our own web site and a regular series of articles in the Quantock Messenger.
5.Treasurer’s Report
Jill Goodwin presented the accounts. Funds had been increased by £512 as a result of fundraising activities in 2007. Income from membership subs and fundraising activities made the largest contribution as well as a smaller amount from donations. In terms of profitable activities, the car boot sale, BBQ, safari supper and boules match were all significant events that raised money. The major financial commitment for 2007 had been the trip to Theillay which had been heavily subsidised and in future would benefit from more people attending to help cover costs. The Quantock Walk wasn’t as well attended as hoped and hence didn’t raise much income. The next Theillay visit in May 2008 has already been given a civic grant. The accounts were audited by Peter Higginson.
6.Election of Officers
Several committee members stood down: Kate O’Byrne, Rhu Griffiths, Mark Baker and Alison Jarah. Judith Greig stood down as Vice Chairman but was elected as Chairman (proposed by Sue Davison and Louise Parsons). Bob Keene was elected as Vice Chairman (proposed by Bob du Barr and Judith Grieg). There were no nominations for the role of Secretary.
7.The future of the Association
There was some discussion about how to fill the coach going to visit France in future. Theresa Youe suggested that more focus needed to go into attracting Year 6 pupils at the local school. In addition students at Richard Huishs might be interested in going again. A grant has been available of £20 per person for 16-18 year olds in full-time education who go on overseas trips and it was felt that the whole situation of grants should be examined in more detail for the future. French language classes might also be able to provide pupils who would be interested in going to France and Haygrove School should be contacted well before another trip is organised. Members suggested that instead of using a coach other methods of transport should be considered such as air and train to seeif these are cheaper. In addition the length of time spent in France might be extended to take in perhaps extra sights such as Paris.
8.Any other business
The membership fee remained unchanged at £10/family and £5 for an individual.
9.Date of the next meeting
The first Friday in February 2009.
