Whalton Village Hall Committee

  Minutes of the Committee Meeting held on 12 th February 2008 at 7.30pm

  Present: Billy Grix (Chairman), Elliot Ward (Treasurer), Alison Jackson (Secretary), Sheila Lough, Nikki Blackett, Martin Keegan, Sue Richardson, Elizabeth Sylvester, Stephen Trobe, Richard Grix, Joan Goddard, Richard Sill, Fiona Ellis, Edna Parker, Steve Bilclough, Stewart Murray, Charlotte Capps, Gladys Smith

Apologies: David Adams, Richard Potter, Julie McGrorie, Steve Bilclough, Kath Trueman

100 Plus Club

£15 240 Ellie Combe

£15 73 Alison Jackson

£15 102 Kate Freeman

£15 123 Alan Lambert

£15 67 Julie Potter

£10 25 Rosemary Scott

£10 212 Charlie Davies

£10 31 Jill Lishman

£10 225 Elliot Ward Senior

£10 179 Keith Forsyth

  Minutes

Minutes of meeting on 8 January 2008 read and agreed as a correct record.

Matters Arising

  •  The door and bar door have been repaired

•  Billy has arranged for a painter to re-decorate in April. The quote is £648 including materials

•  The carpets will be cleaned in April for £220

•  The notice board is beyond repair in Stewart's opinion. Agreed to negotiate with the Parish Council for a 50 : 50 contribution for a replacement

Treasurer's Report

  Elliot delivered his report. Copy attached to the Minutes.

£1200 net was raised at the Burns supper.

Highlights

  The next production, Hard Hearted Hannah, will be on 13 th March. Sue has prepared posters and has cards advertising the event to distribute. Sue will go on the door. Youth club will run the event and the theatre group will require refreshments.

The Hall and youth club get 30% of the takings over £130. This will be split in an equitable way.

Caretaker

  Katherine Tate has changed her mind about taking the job and it was then offered to an elderly couple who ultimately rejected it as they felt the cottage was too small. The post is back with the job centre and we have had a couple of hopeful applications and a fair amount of interest.

  Burns Supper 25 th January 2008

  Sheila thanked everyone for their assistance with catering and washing up. A bowl belonging to Jeanette Strachan has gone missing and will need replacing if it does not turn up.

This event was a huge success and the band has been booked for next year. Tickets have already been requested! 100 guests is sufficient for the Hall.

Many thanks expressed to Sheila for organising this wonderful event. The waiters were also excellent this year.

  Cinzia and Fiona's Play

  Cinzia has arranged to borrow staging from Cambo for a week. This will need insuring by the Hall whilst in our custody for a week for £2000. Elliot to arrange. Richard Sill will collect the staging.

There will be 2 performances. Tickets will be available shortly. Assistance in selling tickets will be required. Charlotte agreed to help.

A glass of wine/ soft drink will be served with the tickets. Refreshments will be served through the hatch.

  The Cottage

  A letter has been received from Nicola Robson re the gable end window in the cottage. She is considering extending the post office and would like to discuss blocking up the window and installing a velux window in the roof instead. An architect known to Elliot has had a look and it would be detrimental to the cottage to agree to this. Agreed we should not consent as custodians of the cottage and given our current efforts to recruit a caretaker.

  Bale fire - Friday, July 4th

Elizabeth reported a possible problem booking the Hexham Morris Men for the Bale Fire evening and barn dance. Discussion ensued about the advisability of seeking another band. Given the potential to attract people into the hall after the fire we agreed to wait and see. Meantime Elizabeth will try to persuade them using all her charm.

Golf day

  Numbers are good for the golfing. There is also a guided walk and lunch for non-golfers. People were encouraged to come. If numbers warrant it transport will be provided.

    Hall bookings

  Bookings are excellent. March is very busy.

  AOB

  •  Jeff Dobson has agreed to donate £200 from proceeds for the Village Show. Billy will go and collect this donation this weekend.

•  Meldon Park Restaurant (Susan Howie) has agreed to pay £70 for advertising on the website and emails. She is holding a treasure hunt shortly which we will promote.

•  The Parish Council has been removed from the website for the time being as it does not seem interested in being on the site. Sue will enquire further. Other areas of the website are out of date including WI, Bowls and Whist and Luncheon Clubs

•  The Shepherd at Kirkley is interested in doing a sheep dog trial at the next show and will need a large field. He expects to get c 20 competitors.

•  Sheila suggested the need for a working budget for the show

  There being no other business the meeting closed at 20.50 pm following an inspection of the caretaker's cottage.

Next meeting 11 th March 2008.