Whalton Village Hall
Minutes of the Committee Meeting held on 8 th March 2005
Present: Billy Grix(Chairman), David Adams(Treasurer), Vivian Thomson(Acting Secretary), Nikki Blackett, Fiona Ellis, Richard Grix, Alison Jackson, Martin Keegan, Shiela Lough, Sue Richardson, Jenny Stevenson, Barry Swan and Stephen Trobe.
Apologies: Joan Goddard, Rosie Harvey, Geoffrey Holliday, Richard Sill and Elizabeth Silvester.
“100 Plus Club”
£15 59 Aileen Thomson
£15 161 Lady Caroline Renwick
£15 90 Sue Wilson
£10 11 B&R Murdy
£10 131 Bev Wales
£10 96 Anna Sill
The minutes of the last meeting were read and signed as a true record.
The Treasurer reported on the financial situation regarding the refurbishment. At a building sub-committee held last week it was felt that The Barbour Trust together with Dame Margaret Barbour were bearing too much of the financial load. Fiona Ellis suggested that the hall apply to the Northern Rock Foundation for the necessary bridging loan of £76,000 (needed because the grant from DEFRA will not be paid until June). However, when the final accounts are completed the project will be approximately £20,000 short. The Treasurer recommended that the Northern Rock Foundation be asked for a loan of £96,000. This was proposed by Martin Keegan, seconded by Shiela Lough and agreed. The application will be made. If the application is not successful then the Barbour Trust can be approached. A Bank bridging loan would be a last resort.
This is still two weeks behind schedule. The cottage has been started but it is still too early to advertise for a caretaker. Another meeting is to be held with the authorities about disabled access.
It was suggested that an “Open Day” be held on a Saturday for interested villagers to inspect the premises and see what has been done so far.
Rooney, the builder has agreed to this and a date will be arranged in early April. Meanwhile, any committee members can have a tour on 17 th March at 2pm.
Some photos could be displayed in the notice board and on the website.
Shiela Lough agreed to head the fundraising committee.
Barry Swan reported that his personal approach had produced encouraging results. Out of a list of 29 names he had secured promises from 10 amounting to £12,300 and he is optimistic that more will be available.
Jenny Stevenson has arranged a Chinese meal at the Rendezvous Restaurant in Ponteland on Monday 1 st October
Shiela Lough is busy finalising details of a “Golf Day” at Dunstanburgh Golf Course on Wednesday 14 th September.
Other ideas put forward were a Summer Dinner Dance in the hall, a Northumbrian Evening with Ernie Coe (this could attract £750 match funding from Barclays Bank), a Race Night and Jumble Sales.
A letter of resignation has been received from Gill Waterworth. The secretary will write to her.
Once the hall is open it was suggested that a social evening could be held one night per month. However, there could be problems with obtaining a drinks license.
It was agreed to go ahead with the Village Show in August. This will be discussed at the next meeting.
The reopening of the hall will also be discussed then.
The next meeting will be at the home of Billy Grix on 5 th April. The meeting closed at 9.45pm.