Minutes of meeting held on 9th May 2016.
Present: Val Walton (Chair), June little (Vice chair),
Margaret Leishman (Secretary), Malcolm Brownsword,
Hazel Rack, Rob Griffiths, Ian Leishman.
Also present was Valerie Brownsword representing the West Hagbourne Parish Council.
Apologies: Keith Walton (Treasurer), Pierre Aller, Bridget Pickup, Eva Pinkava.
Val opened the meeting by welcoming all those present and thanked June for her hospitality.
The minutes from the previous meeting dated 7th March 2016 were approved after an amendment to item re: audit of accounts was noted (see file copy).
Matters arising: Bus service - Val Brownsword reported that following more negotiations, it is hoped that Thames Travel will shortly be making a decision regarding the future of the public bus service for West Hagbourne.
Dragon Weeks 2016 - Val thanked June for organising this year’s judge, who produced a very good report following her tour of the village. June will forward the report on to Sue Totterdell for inclusion into the next village newsletter. Malcolm has also sent photos of the participating dragons to Sue, and Val thanked him for this. Thanks also to Ian, Mike Parker and Chris Lay for organising the installation of Mike’s dragon onto the bank of the pond. Val has bought a bottle of wine for Mike, which Ian will pass on.
The prize-winning dragons are as follows:
1st – 1, Manor Close.
2nd – Chapel Hayes, Main St.
Children’s prize: Little Acorns Nursery, Main St.
All agreed that there had been a disappointing response to this year’s dragon weeks, with only 18 dragons being on display around the village by Saturday 23rd April (St George’s Day), and not all of these were on display at the time of the judging.
Partly due to this response, and the forecast of cold, wet weather from Friday into Saturday, the planned afternoon teas event due to take place on the 23rd was cancelled.
Marquees- Ian and Margaret reported that the small marquee is showing signs of wear that will need attention shortly. There is a rip at one end of the roof ridge, many of the metal eyelets for the guy ropes have disappeared, some of the seams leaked water, more elastic bands are needed, and a considerable number of ground pegs are missing. Rob will purchase some more pegs and bands, and will also sort out the marquee equipment so that it is easier to manage. Rob will contact Helen at the pub to clarify her booking of the small marquee for the forthcoming garden party on 12th June.
Treasurer’s report – in Keith’s absence, Val reported that the Association’s account stands at £1203-81. Recent expenses for the dragon competition including prize money and gifts amounted to £65-00. Income received for marquee hire is £25-00.
Regrettably, due to his ill health, Val announced to the committee that Keith has decided to relinquish his position as Treasurer. June volunteered to take over the role, and will contact the bank to organise a change of 2nd signatory from Keith to Margaret. (June is already a signatory on the account).
Future events - Queen’s birthday garden party - Horse & Harrow, Sunday, 12th June
Invitations for this event have now been delivered to every household in the village. As this is a jointly organised event, costs for catering will be met by the Association and the Parish Council; the pub is paying for the entertainment. The Parish Council is applying for a grant amounting to £122.00, however the exact cost is yet unknown, as it will depend entirely upon how many villagers attend. The closing date for ticket applications is Friday, 27th May. Margaret will contact Helen to organise another meeting on that date so that tickets can be sent out and final preparations made. The erecting of the marquees will be on Saturday 11th, tables and chairs will need to be transported to the pub, and help will also be needed on the day. Margaret will contact Association members when times are known.
Madge Trophy - will take place during August this year. Hazel will contact her friend, Angela Phillips to ask if she would kindly judge the gardens for us (now confirmed). As yet there is no planned date but this needs to be done shortly for inclusion into the next village newsletter. June will collect the trophy from the present holder, Paul Ryman and will arrange for this year’s winner to be engraved on it in due course.
AOB – Annual Village Meeting, Tuesday 24th May 2016 - Val will prepare the Association’s report, which she will present at the event. If she is unable to attend the meeting, Margaret will present it in her absence.
Date of Next Meeting – Monday 4th July, 7:30pm – Lenton, York Rd.
At the end of the meeting Malcolm presented an audio/visual record of this year’s competing dragons, which was very entertaining. Thanks to Malcolm once again for his time and effort. The photos along with the judge’s report will be sent to John to be posted on the village website.