Lenham Community Centre.
Annual General Meeting, Chairmans Report.
Monday 8[th] April 2024
This evening I would like to welcome you all to the 20th Annual General Meeting of Lenham Community Centre. I thank you all for your support over the last 20 years This year we received the resignation of Carol Robinson Mrs Mr Kieth Varney & Niel Rouse I thank them all for the support they has given both the Community Centre and the Village over many years. We have welcomed Steph Richardson who has agreed to become trustees of our charity.
I would like to take just a few minutes to review our last 20 years. In 2004 the Parish Council were concerned we would not be able to support ourselves financially and would depend on others to give financial support but over the last 20 years we have worked with the Parish Council and others to make sure we remain viable and to provide a service for all the residents of Lenham, and we welcome all the new families who have come to live here over the past 2 to3 years.
In 2004 our main concern was that we had agreed to pay £1000 per year to finance the £250,000 the Parish had raised from the Public Loan Board, this debt was paid off in 2015 from proceeds of the sale of land in Groom Way
We also started negotiations to close the original trust deed and move to a C.I.O trust deed, this venture was not without difficulties. But with help from Jonathon Dawson, we completed the transfer which gave the trustees better protection.
The Solar panels were installed in 2015 and we have benefitted from free electricity during daylight hours. The Community Centre, St Edmunds Centre, and Charing Heath Memorial Hall all benefit from taking an equal share of the Feed in Tariff.
I have today received a card from our previous chairman Roy Gill, congratulating us all on our 20[th] anniversary.
It is also time to remember the people who have supported us during not only the last 20 years but also the 5 years it took to plan and build Lenham Community Community Centre.
Roy Gill who was Chairman until 2005, Mr Andrew Barr (Chairman Lenham Parish Council, Mr Harry Appleton, Mr Nigel Watson, David Abson, Richard Epps Tony & Carol Robinson, Michael & Betty Clark, Margaret Mitchell, Ron Beale, Sir Stanly Bruce Lochart leader of Kent County Council, Mr Derek Williamson Finance director of MBC, Mr John & David Bailey and many others in the Village and beyond who gave both their time and money to make this project come to fruition and of course our treasurer Ian George & my vice Chairman Julia Allen who both continue to give me there support. I would also give a special mention to Lenham W.I who in 2001 when asked if they would support the building of a new Village Hall responded by saying “We only want a new fridge”, they got their new fridge and have given Community Centre their wholehearted support over the last 20 years. I am sure I have missed some people out but I have not forgotten that this was a village project and many people made a positive contribution
Over the last year clubs and societies that use the Community Centre continue to contribute successfully to village life.
Mrs Vivienne Lawrence has handed over the reins of the Ballet School to Erica and continues to offer a full range of classes for the residents of Lenham and the wider area. The Film Club continue to provide a wide choice of films and the audience numbers attending have consistently averaged around 60-70 persons.
Lenara continues to provide a range of activities for the residents of Lenham and we appreciate the support they give to the Community Centre.
The Badminton & Feathers clubs also provide the facilities for these activities to continue in Lenham on Monday & Tuesday evenings.
Lenham Gardening Club and the Lenham W.I continue to enjoy good support, and we look forward to another successful Garden Show in the Autumn.
During the year we have upgraded the telephone and broadband service to the new digital system, and we have also updated the fire and access alarm system.
We have also upgraded the sound system and replaced the microphones which also includes a new microphone that plugs directly into the control unit. The Film Club have upgraded the speakers in the main hall. The Water boiler in the Kitchen has been replaced.
Over the Easter weekend, the Main Hall floor was refurbished, and we apologise for the smell which should soon fade as the new surface settles down. The work we have undertaken over the past year we hope shows the users of the hall that we do endeavour to provide a facility that keeps up with modern technology.
I thank Carole for the work she has done to administer the smooth running of the Community Centre. And to Lynn who has agreed to step in when Carole has time off. I also thank Julia Allen who has supported me as Vice-Chairman and took charge in January & February this year.
I thank Ian for all the work he undertakes as treasurer, and Nigel for all the work he does in assisting Carol in the day-to-day running of the Community Centre. Last but not least Nathen Beale for keeping the centre clean.
This year we are be celebrating our 20[th] anniversary on the 20[th] of April and we have booked Ian Gallager to entertain us with tributes to Frank Sinatra & Mark Monroe and others. Tickets are £14.00 each and bring your own Nibbles and Drinks.
I am sure I have not acknowledged all the help and support that many people have given us to make sure that the community centre will continue to support all the groups and societies as well as the residents of Lenham. I will close by saying thank you all for the work and support you have given to the success of Lenham Community Centre during 2023.
Thank You.
Nick Osborne, Chairman.
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