Whalton Village Hall Committee 

Minutes of the Committee Meeting held on 14 March 2006 at 7.30pm

Present: Billy Grix (Chairman), David Adams (Treasurer), Alison Jackson (Secretary), Sheila Lough, Martin Keegan, Nikki Blackett, Stephen Trobe, Sue Richardson, Joan Goddard, Geoffrey Holliday, Richard Grix, Kathryn Truman, Vivian Thompson, Stewart Murray, Elliot Ward

Apologies: Elizabeth Silvester, Richard Sill , Fiona Ellis, Robin Wood

100 Plus Club

£15 2 Joan Goddard

£15 181 Joyce Wood

£15 153 Karen Wigham

£10 161 Caroline Renwick

£10 40 Maisie McDougall

£10 14 Hugh and Sheila Lough

Minutes

Minutes of meeting on 14 February 2006 read and agreed as a correct record.

Matters Arising

• Sheila said that the Hancock Museum closes in April and she will make enquiries about a display cabinet for the photo albums then.
• 6 more photos have been framed and will be put up by Sue and Ian Johnson.
• The new lock for front door is still outstanding

Correspondence

2 letters of resignation from the Committee have been received – Jenny Stevenson and Bernard Scott. Thanks were expressed for the much valued work of these two individuals on the Committee over the years.

Treasurer's Report

 David delivered his report.

The John Grundy evening was a huge success yielding some £1373 profit. Many thanks to Geoffrey and Jean Holliday for organising this.

Rocking Zimmers was also a great success and has proved the biggest event in terms of funds raised ever. Including match funding from Barclays this event raised £3824. Thanks to Martin Keegan for organising this.

Elizabeth 's concert was also very successful raising in excess of £900. Many thanks expressed to Elizabeth .

85% of the money from DEFRA has been received. The loans can now be repaid. Many thanks to the lenders for their generosity. The balance of the money will be paid following a site inspection by DEFRA which will be carried out shortly.

It is now possible (subject to final invoices) that the refurbishment fund will have a slight surplus. This will be used to repay the £500 loans where possible.

Whist

 The issue of last month's decision to charge the Whist club £10 per session was debated at length. It is believed that this charge has provoked Bernard's resignation. Bernard intends to raise this matter with the Parish Council which may lead to our grant being reduced.

Agreed that it is appropriate the Whist club is charged. Hall running costs are £140 per week. The real cost of the Whist club is £27 (i.e. £9 x 3 hours) so it still enjoys a subsidy. It was noted many attendees at Whist live outwith the parish in any event and it was felt all user groups of the Hall should benefit equally from the PC grant.

Roof Litigation

 Martin reported this is still on going. Charlie Wandless' case has been adjourned until 25/4/06 . The result in that case is material as to how we may proceed with our case.

In the meantime, Martin is in discussion with Sarna to try and make progress with securing a guarantee for the roof we have. Europa meanwhile has revealed it will defend on the basis that it re-negotiated the guarantee to a 10 year guarantee prior to commencing the works. This is not borne out by the evidence and Martin remains confident.

Fund Raising Events

Northumbrian Evening with Ernie Coe, 25 March 2006 . All to set up on 25 March at 10 a.m. More tickets need to be sold. Pat will do the raffle, Billy the door and Richard Grix the bar. Kathryn said her father is a member of a band who has offered to play free of charge for a dance function. Agreed to explore a suitable date. Cinzia and Fiona are planning a car treasure hunt .The Show will be on 19 August 2006

 AOB

• The back window is still leaking. Unclear what the problem is. Billy and Stewart agreed to investigate further.
• The patio needs relaying. Agreed it would be preferable to do this professionally if funds allow. Billy to ask John Young from Ponteland for a price.
• Ernie McDougall is fitting a chair rail to protect the walls in the front room.

Next meeting 12 April 2006 .

There being no other business, the meeting closed at 9.00pm .