FRIENDS OF CHaT PARKS .
(Reg. Charity no: 1166255 ) Minutes of the 16th Annual General Meeting
14 July 2025 at 7.00 pm
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1 Present: 14 members of the Group
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2 Welcome: The Chairman welcomed everyone to this the 16[th] AGM of the Group
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3 Apologies have been received from Janet Deighton, Ruth McCallum, Kevin Trickett, Brian Ward, Paul and Deborah Archer, Peter and Linda Breeze and Rachel Winstanley
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4 Minutes of AGM 2024: these were agreed as a correct record.
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5 Matters arising: There were no matters other than those covered by the Agenda
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6 Chairman’s Report:
I must start by reminding you that we lost Margaret Dodd in August. She had been a Committee member for some seven years and we will miss her very much.
This has been a very busy year and I will just give an overview of events. Our aim has always been to keep up the highest standards, and this year has given us some challenges, but our volunteers have all done a great job. I am proud of them all.
I have had health problems early in the year, but have now been rebuilt and hope to contribute more again.
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a) Toilets: This was raised at our first AGM and we have put forward several ideas. I am very pleased that the proposal to build at the ticket office is now going ahead.
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b) The Lake: The leak has been fixed. There is no longer a smell and the grassed areas are going to be tarmacked.
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c) Clarence Steps: Funding for repair is available, but there have been significant delays and we are pressing the Council to make a start before more damage is caused.
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d) Gentlemen’s Shelter: We have pressed for years for the building to be repaired, but it is now beyond repair. We are discussing what can be done about the site.
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e) Aviary: Jason has had to give up the management and we thought we had lost that asset, but we have another volunteer who, together with a small group, has taken the project on. I must thank Bill Bannister for the continuation of one of the attractions of the Park.
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f) Secret Garden: This has had more than its share of problems. Mindless vandalism is a real issue, but the team, led by Keith Hant, have managed to keep going. The better use of CCTV and a stronger police presence will help.
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g) Games of Thornes: This is getting more and more popular. The public really appreciate the availability of the games. This is another area where we do need more volunteers. We will be open seven days a week over the school summer break.
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h) Management Plan: This is essential if we are to bid successfully for grants etc. Work is progressing with the Council.
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i) Fireworks Event: The Council are committed to keep this going.
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j) Classic Vehicle Gathering: One of the biggest events in the Park. We have helped to keep the event going, but we do not want to be responsible for its continuing. Our role, as with all such events, is to support and advise the group managing the event.
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k) Car Boot Sales: This is still our main source of income, which is necessary to buy the flowers for the formal garden each year. It means a very early start on a Sunday morning and again more volunteers are needed.
I have mentioned the need for volunteers, and I will repeat the request. Often the ideas for projects outpace the available help. We have been rather stretched this year and we are always looking to increase our numbers.
There are two issues which we need to be aware of and for which I may well be seeking support from members in the future.
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Drainage issues on the Events Field near to the children’s playground.
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Developments on the Penny Appeal campus site.
I want to finish by once again thanking all the Committee and volunteers for their work’
Everyone on the Games of Thornes
Jean for being our Social Media manager
Margaret for keeping the books
Chris for a range of tasks and for keeping everything running during my absence.
Chris then asked for members to show their appreciation for the great work which Ian has done this year, despite his health issue. He is the glue which binds the team together.
7 Finance Report
The accounts for 2024 were circulated to the meeting and Margaret asked for any questions. It was explained that the Restricted Fund for Tennis has arisen from a grant from Wakefield Council to encourage wider participation in the sport.
Margaret said that the accounts had been examined by John McCarthy and he had not charged for his work.
The approved figures are now available on the Charity Commission website.
8 Committee Membership
In accordance with our Constitution, one third of the Committee stood down. The three
longest-serving members are Merewyn, Brian and Chris. All three were re-elected along with the rest of the Committee.
The Committee now comprises nine members; Ian Deighton, Margaret Kershaw, Jean Reeve, Peter Stokes, Merewyn Sayers, Brian Else, Brenda Ashurst, Joe Brandi and Chris Welch.
The formal Annual General Meeting finished at 8.10 pm
Friends of CHaT Parks Accounts - 2024 - Financial Activity
Unrestricted funds
| Income Membership £591.42 Donatons £1,782.24 Honey £896.00 Car Boot Sales £3,981.01 Flowers & Sales £944.21 Books £0.00 Teddy Stall £115.00 Cashback £9.68 Restricted fund - Tennis Income nil Restricted Fund- Ticket Ofce Income Receipts £11,366.21 TOTAL Friends of CHaT Parks Accounts - |
Expenditure Balance Aviary £489.04 Secret Garden £185.91 Ofce Costs £631.42 Bedding Plants £3,705.30 Honey £700.00 Vouchers £270.00 Donatons £250.00 tennis courts £2,750.00 £8,319.56 misc £481.29 -£1,143.40 £9,462.96 Expenditure Coaching Fees £5,625.00 £5,625.00 -£5,625.00 Expenditure Restricted - Ticket Ofce £11,366.21 Costs £4,617.16 £4,617.16 £6,749.05 £19,685.77 £19,705.12 -£19.35 2024 - Account Balances |
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| Unrestricted Fund Opening Balance £25,957.05 Operatonal Balance -£1,143.40 Closing balance £24,813.65 Cash in hand Dec 31 £64.23 |
Restricted Fund- Tennis £11,296.20 -£5,625.00 £5,671.20 |
Restricted Fund- Ticket Ofce Total £13,854.90 £51,108.15 £6,749.05 -£19.35 £20,603.95 £51,088.80 Closing balance on bank account: £51,088.80 |
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