Whalton Village Hall Committee

Minutes of the Committee Meeting held on 10 January 2006 at 7.30pm

Present: Billy Grix (Chairman), David Adams (Treasurer), Alison Jackson (Secretary), Sheila Lough, Martin Keegan, Nikki Blackett, Stephen Trobe,  Vivian Thomson, Sue Richardson, Elizabeth Silvester, Kathryn Truman, Richard Sill, Joan Goddard,  Geoffrey Holliday, Elliot Ward, Richard Grix,  Fiona Ellis

Apologies: Robin Wood, Steven Bilclough

100 Plus Club

£15      16        Stewart Murray

£15      18        John Robson

£15      31        Jill Lishman

£10      104      Edith and Brian Parry

£10      137      Simon Glancy

£10      47        Lucy Cartman

Minutes

Minutes of meeting on 13 December 2005 read and agreed as a correct record.

Matters Arising

•  Letters are still outstanding to Gladys Smith and Ian Johnson.  Secretary to rectify.
• There has been no progress with the alarm for the disabled toilet.  Billy will look into this.
• The heating in the cottage still needs attention as described last month.  Outside lights and a socket in the front room are also outstanding, as are cages for the strip lights.  Agreed to leave the latter until next month when our financial position is clearer.  Billy will seek costs and possibilities via Steve Bilclough for additional lights in the Hall for use when more intimate lighting is needed.
• Secretary to write letter to Mr Cookson to thank him for the Christmas tree.
• Billy has seen some  screening which might be suitable for the rubbish bins.

Treasurer’s Report

David delivered his report  The caretaker is now employed and insurance of £2K is due in May . Cash is therefore very tight and fund raising urgently needed.

Hall Charges

All agreed these are uneconomic at the present rate and should be reviewed in line with other similar local facilities.

Agreed local regular groups should still get a discount but that the Whist group which has traditionally enjoyed free rental should be charged.  David to produce a schedule of proposed charges for the next meeting to take effect from 1/4/06. Charges will also be levied for overruns. 

The money from DEFRA has been allocated and should be paid in March.

Store Cupboard

A massive reorganisation of the cupboard has been completed and more wheeled trolleys are being sourced.

Litigation with the Roofer

This matter was deemed to be commercially sensitive. Details will be posted  at a future date.

Fund Raising Events

• Burns Night and Ceilidh 27 January 2006.  Catering arrangements were agreed.  Linda will do the bar.  There will be a whisky board and Kathryn will organise the raffle.
• Elizabeth’s Concert 18 February 2006. Tickets need to be sold and the piano needs tuning.  Elizabeth will discuss this with Mrs Tasker Brown. 
•  John Grundy is booked for 21 Feb 2006.  Finger buffet, free glass of wine, Steve Bilclough to do the bar. There will also be a raffle so prizes needed.
• Rocking Zimmers 11 March 2006.  Elliot will look into Barclays match funding for this event through his sister. Prizes are needed for the auction, for example tickets to football matches, golf, meals out, fishing etc.  Tickets £7.50.  All to assist with ticket sales.
• Northumbrian Evening with Ernie Coe, 25 March 2006. Licence needed.

AOB

• The new outside light was displayed and approved
• Vivian displayed photo albums from the millennium celebrations which have been prepared by Cinzia and Fiona.  All agreed these were magnificent and many thanks were expressed for Cinzia and Fiona’s work in creating these.  Agreed to look out for a suitable display cabinet so they can be kept in the Hall.

Next meeting 14 February 2006.

 There being no other business, the meeting closed at 9.15pm.