Minutes 24 May 2007
NETHER STOWEY TWINNING ASSOCIATION
Resume of Minutes of the meeting held on 24th May 2007 the Treasurer’s house
Present
Judith, Alison, Jill, Sue, Anne, Tim, Kate and Rhu
Apologies
Mark, Eric and Tim
Bob de Barr resident in France
Minutes of the last meeting
These were read and agreed.
Matters arising
1.Car boot sale
This was held to have been a great success. The total made was close to £350. Books are still being sold so this figure is likely to increase slightly. There is a small amount of bric-a-brac left (this is held by the Secretary) and a suggestion was made to sell it at a coffee morning if a volunteer could be found to organise it later in the year.
The organiser of the car boot was thanked wholeheartedly by the committee and also all the volunteers who so generously gave of their time.
2.Parish Council Corporate Membership
The Parish Council have enquired about corporate membership. A discussion ensued about what would be an appropriate subscription to charge and it was agreed that £10, which is the family subscription, would be a fair figure.
3.Funding available through Active Living
Active Living is keen to involve rural communities in events or activities that are predominantly aimed at the over-50’s and they will help to fund this.
14th October Quantock Walk is to be available as an Active Living Event in collaboration with the Twinning Association if the Active Living organisers wish to promote it. The treasurer and vice-chairman are due to attend a meeting with the Parish Clerk ahead of the opening launch on 5 June, in order to discuss possibilities for that and other events as well.
Active Living is launching at a tea party on the 5th June in the Village Hall. Several other ideas were mentioned, among these were French conversational classes or exercise classes, such as pilates and biodancing. The Vice Chair and Treasurer agreed to go to the launch to discuss possible ideas to take this forward.
4.BBQ
Three members have agreed to bring gas BBQs. A discussion ensued about food and the Secretary said she would ask a few members if they would provide a bowl of salad and/or a pudding. Several committee members also offered and the food seems to be reasonably covered.
AOB
5.Theillay Visit 1-4 May 2008
5.1.This item will now be regularly on the agenda.
5.2.Hosting 2008
The hosting list is now open, coordinated by the vice-chairman. It is agreed that encouragement should be given for hosting new families in order to widen the friendships as far as possible.
5.3.Programme 1-4 May 2008
Parish Council is interested in participating in the visit and it is agreed to follow up on possibility of a joint event on the evening of Friday 2 May with official speeches, local food and some entertainment. The Village Hall has pencilled in a reservation but it is felt that the capacity – 120 – may be inadequate.
The local food event organised for the equivalent weekend in 2007 may be repeated on Saturday 3 May 2008, raising the possibility of widening interest through the village and its organisations.
Other plans to be discussed with members at the 16 June Barbeque event. The vice-chairman is maintaining a suggestion list.
5.4.Reservations
The vice-chairman is to ask the Church Centre for reservation provisionally for Thursday, Friday and Saturday 1-3 May 2008.
5.5.Budget
The treasurer’s calculations, to be double-checked, indicate that Twinning funds available will be as previously (>£800).
5.5.1.Grants
Sedgemoor is making available a Twinning Grant of up to £250 and the treasurer and vice-chairman will investigate the application process.
NS Parish Council may also be willing to contribute.
6.Stowey to Theillay 2009 and biennially thereafter
It is agreed that we give Theillay our fixed date – the end of May Bank Holiday weekend in 2009, departing Stowey on Friday 22 May, arriving in Theillay Saturday 23 May, staying Sunday and Monday and departing Tuesday 26 May to arrive back in Stowey late that night, being hopefully suitable for schools (2008 hols are 23May-2Jun).
7.Events
7.1.Quantock Walk - 14 October, Sunday –
Vice-chairman has reserved the Village Hall for 3 hours, £19 setting up and 3 hours, £35 for the event. Total £54
The Treasurer is coordinating this event.
7.2.Safari Supper
Saturday 26th January was proposed as a suitable date and agreed
7.3.AGM
Friday 1st February was proposed as a suitable date and agreed
8.Web site
8.1.To List on website
The committee members are still working to produce events programming lists that will be placed on the website as a central source of ongoing reference.
8.2.Listing requested over the last month and now in place
Details of Twinning Association representation and Report at the Nether Stowey Annual Parish Meeting that was held in the Village Hall on Monday 23 April 2007 at 7 pm.
Constitution, as discussed at a meeting some time ago
Diary updated to reflect information in the Calendar that has been distributed during May and other items are being inserted as arising for future reference. The next calendar should be able to be produced from the web diary.
News article, as QM submission for June
9.Other Media
9.1.Press Officer – A member is willing to produce press releases as appropriate, particularly reference visits to and from Theillay.
9.2.QM and QOL – both have items in place for June, aimed to increase awareness of Twinning
9.3.Hubbard’s Window
The vice-chairman is working with a committee member to clean and update the window.
A poster for the Women’s Walk is now also in the window – to be removed after the Walk
10.Organisation and strategy
This is an item for next Agenda. In the meantime the vice-chairman is to have a discussion meeting with Kate O’Byrne and Peter Greig, who have both produced documents on the subject.
11.Club Français des Quantocks –
Members have been circulated on this organisation that meets in the French language.
12.Date of next meeting
Thursday 21st June next meeting at Kate’s house.
