AGM 2024 Minutes Held at 11am on 21st January 2025
Present Simon Arnold, David Bates, Ken Baker, Ray Cartwright, Graham Casson, Dave Chamberlin, Doug Davidson, Mike Evans, Chris Forde, George Griffiths, Dave Humphreys, Jez Inglis, Steve Kelly, Hilbre Jones, John Lyons, Dave McLachlan, Dave McLardie, Cliff Mills, Steve Mitchell, Neil Ree, Jack Roberts, Andy Thomas, Peter Wilson, Jon Woddy, Chris Wright.
Apologies Geoff Edwards, Frank Hulse, Mark Openshaw,
Chris Wright opened the meeting at 11.05am and asked the attendees to respect a minutes silence for Oswesatry Men’s Shed members that have passed during 2024.
Chairman's Remarks
The Chairman for the meeting was Chris Wright as voted by the Trustees.
Chris welcomed everyone, thanked them all for coming today and read out the apologies. Chris stated that there had beena lot of work copleted this year to enhance the Shed facilities and the replacement of the Woodwork Shed roof would not have lasted the recent storms and the work completed by Brendon is doing a great job.
The alleyway between the Social Area and the Woodwork shed was also an asset to the members.
Minutes of last AGM meeting
Doug Davidson asked the members if they wanted the minutes of last years meeting read or; as they were sent out to all members; they could be adopted as a true representation of the meeting. Ken Baker proposed and Chris Forde seconded the minutes and the members voted unanimously to adopt them.
Matters Arising
There were no matters arising but a suggestion to include the Shed Manager as an Agenda item moving forward could be added. The members agreed that this should be an Agenda item for the next AGM.
Secretary’s Report
Doug stated that the Christmas Meal was very successful and there had been good feedback from the members and suggested that we book to go there again for Christmas 2025. The members were happy to proceed with this.
Doug asked the members to consider a Social Secretary position to lead a small team to organise social events i.e. trips, visits, etc. and for anyone interested to contact one of the Trustees.
We have had various requests for help with the current requests from Oswestry Scouts, Oswestry Rugby Club and Higginson’s Equine Assisted Learning facility. Doug asked for a small team of volunteers to assist with the assessment of the need of the request and also to draft resource to complete the task if agreed to take on the project.
NOTE:- John Lyons asked to be involved in the team and was happy to lead a small group to projects we agree to progress.
We have members that do a sterling job of making items to sell at events we attend and Doug asked if members that have any skills in making items to sell keep up the good work.
Doug asked the membership to please use the fans in the Woodwork Shed as a matter of Health and Safety.
Doug also asked the members to make use of the Tools Loan Book that is on the noticeboard as the tools can be taken away but we need to keep note of these for or inventory.
Treasurers Report
In the absence of the current Treasurer; Colin Pratt; the incoming Treasurer; Steve Kelly; gave a brief outline of the current state of the accounts.
Outgoings for 2024 was about £800 as our normal ‘flat’ expenses. We had a major expense for the Woodwork shed roof which was completed in October. This was completed in batches of £2000, £1000 and the final total was about £5000.
We started the year with about £9000 and we ended the year with around £7000 reaching a high of about £11000 during the year.
Dave Chamberlin asked Steve for the grants that we have received this year so we could acknowledge them on our Website. Steve agreed to collate and feedback.
A full breakdown of the accounts will be included as an Addendum once received from the Treasurer Colin Pratt.
Trustee re-election and new positions
As per the Constitution, 3 Trustees are required to step down. This year Ken Baker, Jon Woddy and George Griffiths have reluctantly stepped down.
Steve Kelly, Peter Wilson and Geoff Edwards have put themself forward for election and this was passed unanimously by the members.
Doug explained that Colin Pratt was stepping down as Treasurer but staying on as a Trustee with Steve Kelly taking on the role of Treasurer.
A vote was taken and the three new Trustees were duly elected.
Our Board of Trustees for 2025 now comprises:-
Ray Cartwright, Doug Davidson (Secretary), Geoff Edwards, Steve Kelly (Treasurer), Hilbre Jones, Colin Pratt, Andy Thomas, John Williamson, Peter Wilson and Chris Wright.
Subscriptions for 2025
Chris stated that the Subscription for 2025 was to remain at £96 as agreed by the Trustees
Any Other Business
Chris Forde thanked the Trustees for their efforts during 2024.
George Griffiths explained that the fans in the Woodwork were not effective when running various machines such as the band saw and planer together. There is a need to put in an efficient process to extract the dust from the Woodwork shed. Peter Wilson explained that he had worked on extraction systems before and he would be happy to contribute to any discussions on the subject.
APAGM1 – Andy Thomas – Put suggestions to the Trustees on best way to extract dust for the Woodwork shed with consultation with Peter Wilson.
George also expressed concern that there was a suggestion to dispose of the two lathes. George would like to be included in any proposals to replace them as he was one of the main users. Andy Thomas explained to the members, that the replacement suggestion was raised at the recent Trustee meeting but nothing had been decided and any proposals would be put to the members for feedback.
Neil Ree asked about the Christmas Meal costs as he had to cancel and wondered what he could do about the loss of his £25. Chris Forde stated that a lot of places need 48 hours notification of a cancellation. Doug agreed to check on the status of refunds with the Boote Inn and check e-mails to see if there were any restrictions.
APAGM2 – Doug Davidson – Investigate refunds for the Christmas meal at the Boote Inn.
George Griffiths explained that his sometimes aggressive nature was due to his medication and apologised for any outbursts.
Date of next A.G.M.
The next A.G.M. will be held on 27[th] January 2026.
Close
The meeting closed at 11.35am
NOTE FROM COLIN PRATT…
Total Income from 2024 - £7,569.09 Major income Membership subs recd £4,430.00 Maket stall payment £ 600.00 Total Outgoings for 2024 total - £9,430.23 Major expenditure Compressed Air materials £ 475.63 Woodwork Shed roof £4,527.20 Market stall materials £ 356.29 Electricity £1,207.00 Rent £1,000.00 Insurance £ 652.07 Year ending total £7,191.60
ADDENDUM
Oswestry Men’s Shed Treasurers Report 2024 – Colin Pratt
Another good year for the Shed.
Our Opening Balance was £9,052.74 and our Income was made up of membership subscriptions of £4,434.23, donations of £1,067, sales of £1,952.46 and cancelled and refunded £115.40.
Making our total income for the year £7,569.09.
Expenditure was £9,430.23 comprised of £475.63 Air Project, £115.59 Broadband, £115.40 Cancelled and Refunded, £523.25 Cost of Sales, £1,207.70 electric, £163.45 Equipment, £113.86 Fuel, £225.00 Groundwork, £652.07 insurance, £1305.59 Maintenance £4,527.20 Roof Project, £5.49 Tea & coffee. Making our Closing Balance £7,191.60
Our £1,000.00 rent is being paid on the 1st of each month by Standing Order at £83.33 until December when our Lease expires. During the year will need to negotiate the renewal of our Lease. Meanwhile we are paying an additional £250.00 Quarterly to catch up with two previous years unpaid rent. Even if the Showground required all the rent arrears, they failed to collect by Direct Debit, paid in one lump sum we have sufficient funds to cover this.