Minutes 4 Sept 2008
Committee Meeting
Thursday 4 September 7:30 pm at The Old Vicarage, Nether Stowey
Present: - Jill Goodwin, Eric Coates, Bob de Barr, Dennis Harkness, Judith Greig
1.Apologies: Sue Davison, Tim Tribe, Louise Parsons, Jenny Haydon, Rhu Griffiths, Jacquie Bates, Bob Keene
2.Minutes of the last Meeting and Résumé: Approved
3.Matters arising from the last Minutes: None
4.Organisation and strategy:
4.1.Jacquie Bates has resigned, with apologies, from the Committee due to new commitments elsewhere but happily intends to continue in membership.
4.2.Accepted that simplification of Minutes procedure would now be in order, in line with notes 1-7 above. all in favour.
4.3.Chairman commented that we have 3 more meetings before AGM
5.Membership: Nothing to report
6.Web: Webmaster confirms recent updates and asked for other edit suggestions – committee name reductions
7.Events 2008 (Refer to Quantock Messenger for likely conflict when planning events)
7.1.Car Boot Sale, Monkton Elm: Very large event but proceeds just over £60 - disappointing.
7.2.September Boules Match 7 Sep 1:45 registration: In order but weather review to be done on Saturday and again Sunday morning.
7.3.Quizes 2nd Sun each month Sep-March 7.30 R&C: Nothing further to report;
7.4.5 Oct Quantock Walk; Confirmed that one of our members will organise the shorter walk with particular attention to points of interest, particularly for younger walkers (eg plants and wild life). Treasurer + another member the longer walk. Flyer for shops etc will be produced and QM entry sent. Agreement to offer Mulled Wine again. Any further planning to be addressed by those concerned directly with the event organisation.
7.5.French Conversation Lessons starting 23/24 Sep result of good responses to email sent - We have set-up 2 x 8 participant 1-hour x 10 week classes with specialist teacher to take place in private homes. Participants who have not yet paid to be advised to make cheques payable to Nether Stowey Twinning Association . We have waiting list of 2 or 3 and request for further expressions of interest is in this months QM, priced that further lessons may have to be in Village Hall, Church Centre that would increase the price, or Library?
7.6.Safari Supper 17 Jan 2009 Nothing to report
7.7.AGM 6 Feb: Nothing to report
7.8.Twinning stall Nether Stowey May Fair Street Market Sat. 2 May Bank Holiday 2009: To be pondered!
8.Theillay Visit Sat 23 - Tue 26 May 2009
Chairman requests time to analyse 2007 travel file to help minimise final organisation for 2009
Agreement that the trip must go ahead and suggestion that a heavy subsidy to keep price to travellers as 2007 or near (£90 adult, £50 children) be considered – see Treasurer Report below.
8.1.Travel Programme 22-26 May 2009 – Nothing to report
8.2.Budget and Grant –
8.2.1.Funding: Reply from our Euro MP further to our letter (June Minutes) suggested that we obtain sponsorship. Suggestion that we may receive a sympathetic hearing from EDF to be examined further
8.2.2.Grant – Treasurer and signatories. Application documents after consultation to be sent, in applying for Sedgemoor Grant for 20 young people @£20 that is to be submitted on an Estimate 2009, assuming 25% increase in ferry and coach costs on 2007 and 20 young people @ £50 plus 20 adults @£90 travelling, will give a deficit of £1868 payable from our funds.
9.Media/Publicity
9.1.Diary entries QM and dedicated Twinning page Sep issue. General approval of QM new dedicated Twinning page, only reservation from Chairman: that this may deter participation in events by non-members.
9.2.Shop Window and other Display areas – Shop window is now closed to us (key retuend at owners request).
10.Treasurer’s Report
Total funds currently £3934 and 88 bottle of wine (56 red). Outstanding finances with Parish Council from May Fair are negligible. Chairman: Parish Clerk delightedly surprised that Civic Event came in within budget.
Agreement to pay French teacher directly from Twinning Funds and bear the risk of any non-show by participants.
Treasurer to email producer re cost of THANKYOU cards supplied
11.AOB
Williton Twinning has responded warmly to our contact (June Minutes) and we hope to see them at the Boules match – they have a new committee. They have a Barn dance coming up to which we are invited – agreed need to arrange a group to be feasible.
Theillay Calendar (July minutes AOB) – Kampress in Bridgwater have quoted £220 for 100 calendars (the number requested by Theillay), that is a much lower price than Theillay were able to obtain (£373 and £645 equivalent for 100) so we have agreed to arrange printing if possible. Committee agreed to take 100 calendars on confirmation of price with Kampress and arrange sale of same through local organisations with any profit going to that organisation (School, Church etc.) Request to be made to Theillay for relevant diary entries (from QM) in English and to reduce size of date number in order to allow written notes against the dates.
It was suggested, to approval, that this price differential makes a good news story and a volunteer to draft media release if the printing goes ahead.
12. Date and venue of next meeting (Sue not the 1st Thursday of the month, Rhu not Mondays or Fridays, Bob de B not altternate Thursdays 2, 16 Oct etc)) No meeting in August or December.
Thursday 9 October 7.30 at The Old Vicarage
