GALMPTON VILLAGE INSTITUTE
A.G.M.
Chairman’s Report
11[th] March 2024
This past year has seen the introduction of considerable managerial change for the Institute coming towards the end of 2023.
In the previous months, especially during the summer period, attention was paid to the external structure of the building, the rear wall, important but not easily seen or accessible. Very much working with the cooperation of our three neighbouring properties, Knapmans carried out a careful inspection followed by repair work where necessary, and redecoration. It is pleasing and very reassuring to be able to report that Knapmans work of the previous year, in considerable window repairs and redecoration, has stood the test of considerable rainfall over the past months and external leaks have largely ceased. Internally some redecoration was carried out to the toilet area and an area of our ageless hall floor was give some attention.
During the late summer, in preparation for the new school year the pre-school requested the assistance of the Trustees. Due to country-wide economic pressures, government funding policies and falling pupil numbers, the Pre-school was becoming uneconomic to run. After some considerable discussion Trustees agreed to extending their hours to five days a week for a trial period, accepting sadly that some other community activities would have to be curtailed.
On the bright side though, the hall has remained well used by its diverse activity groups and Paul Savin has had great success in swelling the numbers interested in a Snooker Club once again, with investment made in the maintenance of the table and its lighting.
During the year The Institute participated in the Devon Village Hall Audit which has helped us take a look at ourselves in comparison with our neighbours, a timely reassessment for us. Health & Safety has become a major common denominator that binds us together and during this year trustee Mike Tate has taken on the role of management and reinvigoration of this all inclusive subject.
The end of the Financial Year, December 2023, would see the first move in our managerial change, with our Treasurer, Lisa Edey, retiring to be replaced by Graham Gardner. Without doubt, the most complex of all the trustee responsibilities, Lisa’s attention to detail and meticulous planning has seen a smooth transfer. Following close behind was to be the retirement of our Booking and Minutes Secretary, June Symes. To replace both June and Lisa had initially raised a major problem of their successors as no one was forthcoming. However following a community-wide shout of “Your Village Hall Needs You!”, volunteers thankfully came forward. In addition to Graham Gardner, a relative newcomer to the village, Mark
Clayson, has become Booking Secretary. It was decided that the responsibilities of Bookings and Minutes should now be divided between two trustees and Dawn Scott has kindly taken on being Minutes Secretary. The last couple of months have very much been a ‘shake down’ period for the Booking Secretary with a major transfer from traditional to digital communication and recording, plus a key safe for access, when necessary.
For myself, as Chairman for the past nineteen years, it is also the right time to retire. Squire Thomas Bolitho had this temperance hall of stone, brick and timber erected in 1902 to serve the people of Galmpton and I have felt honoured and privileged to have played my part in continuing its ever changing service to our local community. This task would not have been possible without the invaluable support of my fellow Trustees, Committee members, and loyal friends of the community, past and present, especially Lisa Edey and June Symes. It has been a labour of love and friendship for me, sprinkled with occasional moments of understandable stress!
During this past year the Galmpton Festival Association presented the officers of Galmpton Institute with The Ann Pascoe Memorial Trophy
For Loyalty, Endevour, Commitment and Continued Support towards the People of Galmpton
In my mind this applies to the entire Institute Committee, all volunteers serving their community, every one!
John Risdon
Chairman
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