2023-12-31-accounts

2024 AGM

Held in Adlington library on Tuesday 13[th] February 2024 at 7pm

1.Present at the meeting…

In attendance Caroline Hesketh

Philip Pilling Jeanette Lowe Andrea Barnard Kathy Maidment David Carpenter Margaret Burgess Audrey Yates Peter Walkden

Terry Diviney Carolyn Kimmins (LCC) Gary Newell

2. Welcome & apologies

Caroline welcomed all to the meeting,

1. apologies received from Alison Evans, Gerry Fielding, Penny Panting, Kate Burgess, Margaret Jackson & Carole Turner (LCC)

4. Minutes of meeting

23[rd] Feb 2023 were accepted as a true record. The minutes of the 2023 AGM had previously been sent to the committee and to FoAL Members. (Proposed by David, seconded by Margaret)

5. FOAL Committee

• 5.1 Resignations received from Alison Evans. Although Alison was not present she was thanked for her work as chair over the years.

• 5.2 Re-election of existing committee – unanimously agreed (Proposed by David, seconded by Andrea)

5.3 New committee members – Kate Burgess was previously co-opted on the committee but was now unanimously voted onto the committee (Proposed by Andrea, seconded by Kathy)

• 5.4 Election of Officers

Chair – Caroline Hesketh

Treasurer – Philip Pilling

Secretary – Terry Diviney

unanimously agreed (Proposed by Audrey, seconded by Margaret)

6. Chairman’s Annual Report by Caroline Hesketh

Welcome to the Friends of Adlington Library AGM 2024 Firstly I would like to say Thank you to all our committee, volunteers and members for their time, energy and contributions

Events and Activities:

Meetings – FoAL committee members met regularly throughout the year to plan social activities that support mental and physical health and wellbeing and organise fundraising and social events. .

Saturday Coffee Mornings – Our regular Saturday mornings with themed craft activities and LEGO continue to be successful, with adults and children of all ages attending. Many thanks to Audrey and our team of volunteers for organising this popular social event. Jeanette, Andrea and myself will be helping Audrey in the organising of the coffee mornings.

Learning and classes: See reports from individual groups: French group, Family History, Sign Language, Reading group, Walking Group.

Play and Stay –The group continues to be popular with young families. Many thanks to Andrea and her team. Details are in a separate report to be given by Andrea.

Films For All – regular movies aimed to appeal to all interests and ages. A report from Margaret Burgess will be given later.

Community Fitness –Chair yoga with movement and meditation now has 3 groups, with an extra one added to Monday mornings with the help of funding from Chorley council. We share funding of the fitness and movement groups with Chorley Buddies. There is a walking group promoting health and wellbeing, and Baby Yoga for the little tots.

Crafts – throughout the year art and craft activities and events have been offered during school holidays as well as on a Saturday morning. During the summer holidays we had craft events every week, with large numbers of children attending. Thank you to Andrea, Pat, and the two young library hacks, and the staff for their help.

Special Events:

We held two very enjoyable coronation Events in May last year. A craft event for the children and a coffee morning which continued into the afternoon when everyone who attended had drinks and cake and watched the Coronation on the big screen

The Fashion Show – successful fundraiser and social event in conjunction with St Catherine’s Hospice held in September last year. It was very well attended, A very enjoyable event which also helped to support a local charity.

Lancashire Day – Co-op funding from 2022 also paid for an enjoyable Lancashire Day in 2023.

Murder Mystery, – Lots of fun had solving another murder at the library – great social and fundraising event.

Speakers- we had a number of speakers and authors talks during the year. Thanks to all the speakers involved and those who attended. A Special mention to Janette Cordwell for her talk on Local history. The library was packed that evening.

Our next speaker is on 21[st] February 7pm and will be Cath Cole a local author who writes about nursing and everyday life in the 1960s. I hope you will come along to this event.

Christmas tree bracket was used again this year and, we had a lit up Christmas tree attached to the side of the library. As well as the magnificent Christmas Tree in the library.

FoAL and Adlington in Bloom have worked hard to maintain and improve front garden of the library.

The work done on the fences and chairs in 2022 still looks like new, thanks to the hard work of the volunteers who did a very professional job.

What’s next?

We will continue to fund our events and have a continued programme of activities for the community.

More film showings, another Fashion Show, Author talks, Speakers, and other socials

We have purchased more moveable shelving, and an arts and crafts trolley.

We have also purchased a laptop and tablet which are currently used in the sign language group and family history group. We also plan to use these to promote film making by children and adults which can be shown on our big

We also plan to purchase a video camera and hope that a film group can be started up in the next year.

These are with the help of a grant from The Co-op.

We also hope to purchase some planters for the side of the library that can be used for the children to plant herbs and flowers and can be shared with Adlington in Bloom.

Friends of Adlington library will continue to serve the local community and promote our library .

FRIENDS OFADU14GTON UBIIARY.HIWKJALSTATEMEP4T FORY￿r W1212023 INCOME DONATIONS S/0 from Supporter Other donations EVENT FUNDRAISING EXPEt4DtTURE Insurdnce EVENT EXPENSES Films for All screenings ITF Chair based movement 24Z 75 30 Coffee Mornlngs Murder Mystery Fashion Show Coronation Day Films for All Craft events Chri5tma5 Sales Table 2193 42 Exercise forWellbln8 Baby Yoga Raise the rwf ￿ngingseSsionS Sign Langurage tourse other5{5peak￿Sand playl Purchases/Assets ASUS laptop and accesseries Ipad izo 510 512 469 175 170 51 228 li 669 Revety Ltd Easyfundraising Amazon Europe GRANTS C1￿0P Local commun￿ Award Adlington so Craft Equipment 563 129 87 55 13 41 Stationary/PrintinglCard Refreshments &Event LKences 92 Actlve lancs. IwaknEywprefre%l¥neThts) 70 TIF grant.Artive Lancashire Chorley B Council Iwellbeingl Sub TOTAL Savlng AccO￿nt Interest 2023 Savln8 Account Interest 2022 $￿Ing5 Interfm Interest 1830 650 IKEE,Jrai 9370 439 51 37 21 TOTAL INCOME TOTAL EXPENDtniRE 5642 47 18916 16126 45 16617 63 24 ToTALOPEP41NG WAN( 95 67 39286 4219 39286 2cF4

• 7 Treasurers Report and Financial Statement.

7.1 The statement of the 2023 account was presented by Philip Pilling

(Treasurer)

Mr Pilling explained some of the expenditure and income and asked for any questions.

Mr pilling was thanked for his report.

Don Hesketh, the auditor was thanked by Philip Pilling.

7.2 Acceptance of Statement & report - unanimously agreed (proposed by Terry, seconded by Andrea)

7.3 Acceptance of Mr Donald Hesketh as auditor for 2024 unanimously agreed (proposed by Phillp seconded by Audrey)

8. Reports on FoAL Groups. Family History report by Gerry Fielding.

The family History Group meets on the first Tuesday of each month from 7pm to 9pm in the library. We have now been meeting since September 2019 and there is still an average of 10-12 people attending each month. Once again we have welcomed some new members this year.

The sessions usually start with updates from individuals on the progress they’ve made since the last meeting. Then we focus on any problem areas people may need help with. Others like to use the session just to progress their research and make use to the library resources they may not be able to access at home.

One new member though that one of his ancestors may have been a musician. By the end of the first session he attended we were able to find a recording of some jazz music composed and performed by his ancestor.

The group is open to everyone and there is no need to attend every session as they are very informal. You don’t need to have any experience as there’s always someone who can help you get started and guide you along your family history journey. Everyone is welcome to come along and join us. Our next meeting is on Tuesday 5[th] March 2024 at 7pm

French Group Report: by Margaret jackson

We are now meeting every other Monday evening at 6.45. There are currently 5 members in the group. We have been using a more advanced textbook as well as listening to stories. Now I am looking into starting a different textbook for adults. Everyone is making good progress.

FILMS FOR ALL report by Margaret Burgess

We screen a film each month on average , usually alternating between films for adults and those suitable for children, Numbers attending varies widely films for adults shown in the afternoon remain popular as do children’s films.

The last film that was shown, ‘The Book Club’, had an audience of approximately 30 people.

The screening of a film aimed at teenagers was not a success, this age group remains difficult to engage in activities.

Although we do not charge for attendance we often receive generous donations which helps to cover costs.

Thanks to all who help set up the room and equipment with particular thanks to Mike and Carl who set up and work the equipment.

Stay and Play Report by Andrea Barnard

Our group grows with the children who come to our sessions, they arrive as small babies but by the time they have to leave us and move on to nursery the skills they are able to maintain amaze us.

Children enjoy the freedom of play; enabling them to share with others. This may prove difficult at times but friendships grow. Parents and Grandparents also enjoy the chance to chat and share ideas.

We follow a set routine each week. We start with play, the toys may change each week but some enjoy their favourites. We provide mark making equipment (crayons; pencils; felt tip pens ) and different types of paper for creative play. To encourage dexterity, we have threading, jigsaws and building equipment. The large soft play and play tunnels help with socialization and sharing. Messy play includes painting and on warmer days we opened the doors and enjoyed waterplay.

To finish our session we have toast and banana when all the children sit round the table together; when all are finished we move to the floor for our sing song. We have our goodbye song before everyone leaves.

Numbers vary between two and eight children attending.

The seating in the outdoor area was repaired and the fencing replaced. The gate was made more secure.

Weather permitting we move equipment outside, unfortunately this year that hasn‘t happened that often.

Friday ‘Health Walk’ Group.by David Carpenter

The group has had one cancellation of a walk due to the very icy conditions underfoot recently and some regulars being moderately unsteady in those circumstances.

Other than this we have been doing around 4 miles each Friday over around an hour and a half. The group has a core of regulars and attracts varying numbers of others depending on the weather and other factors. Usual numbers vary between 8 and 18. Sometimes we are joined by people on social schemes from Chorley where a couple of people work. This gets them out into the fresh air and gives them an opportunity to socialise as well.

We have had a couple of extra curricular events including a canal boat ride last summer and a Christmas meal at the bowling club in Rivington.

The usual after walk socialising over tea, coffee and biscuits at the library is very welcome and FoAL is appreciated for providing them.

Sign Language Report. By Andrea Barnard

At our recent class we had 17 attendees; some for the first time. All are welcome whatever their ability.

Our first session this year was a full recap of signs for letters, numbers and questions with a wordsearch to test our knowledge.

Over the past year we had difficulty with our teacher personally attending but videos sent have kept us busy. Louise Donlan has stepped up to the mark to help us use the videos and supply additional support.

Topics covered have included seasonal signs; Easter; Halloween; Christmas Carols; Food and Beverages; and types of clothing.

Caroline sends the videos used round to the group after the session has been completed so that we can continue to practise.

Having the use of FOAL’s computer for the session has enabled us to keep everything together for setting up to projector and large screen.

It is hoped that we can meet up with a new teacher for February’s session.

Wot the Dickens Book Club. Report by Kate Burgess

The reading group meets monthly at Adlington Library, we meet in the evening to enable people of working age and those with daytime commitments to attend. We are well supported by Lancashire County Councils Library Service, with a local librarian attending the meetings and liaising with the councils reading club service to source books that the group are interested in, she also writes a monthly email summarising the discussions, advising of the date of the next meeting and the name of the book we will be reading. We are very appreciative of her support.

We read a broad range of fiction, with books supplied free of charge by the Library Service, this ensures that the group is accessible to all local residents regardless of income, there is a broad range of books available, and the group select which ones they would like to read in advance. Lively and entertaining discussions often take place, with us rarely agreeing as a group, we are really happy with this position as most joined the group to discover new genres and authors whilst perhaps challenging our established reading habits.

We generally have between 6 and 8 attendees at each meeting and have started to advertise the group through the established FOAL communication channels as we look to increase our numbers.

The group is now well established with regular attendance and well supported, we endeavour to be an inclusive group, respecting each others views and perspectives, and welcoming to new members.

Library Review for FoAL AGM 24/2/23 by Carole Turner, library manager

Firstly, thank you one and all for your support again over the last 12 months, it is very much appreciated.

As this is really just a precis of the last 12 months it will mainly be the activities that have been run and the attendance figures.

Starting with Together Fund activities (formally known as TIF):

Exercise in chairs – Janine Noblett has delivered weekly sessions since October 2021, initially funded by the Tackling Inequalities Fund and Chorley Buddies. We started with just one class at 9.30 on a Monday morning and when it was run at Fairview there was only about 3 attendees. We quickly grew this to 15-20 and Chorley Buddies approached Janine to start a 2[nd] class which then started on Tuesdays at 11am from September 2022 and this is equally successful. Then in September 2023 we started a 2[nd] Monday class, 3[rd] class in total, initially funded by grant monies from Chorley BC obtained by FoAL, and this is slowly growing in numbers. We are seeing approximately 42 attendees per week Baby Yoga – Carol Unsworth continues to deliver weekly sessions with an attendances ranging from 1 to 8 babies and their parent/carer. The numbers here are restricted due to the size of the room. There is also a greater changeover of attendees as the babies start to walk or parents/carers return to work.

Health Walk – We don't have accurate figures for this but seem to be averaging 10-15 walkers these days. The only outlay here is for the refreshments on the return to the Library.

The funding we received has now run out and we thank FoAL for agreeing to fund these activities moving forward (Chorley Buddies fund the Tuesday chairs class and alternate months of the Monday 9.30 one)

Digital Courses

We held a three week computer sessions with a company called UDevelop, who work in conjunction with Chorley Borough Council. Over these courses we helped 6 or 7 people improve their online skills or with a technical issue they had.

We also have our Get Online sessions on Monday afternoons available where a member of staff is available to help guide people through a number of modules available for selflearning. Staff can also support with getting online outside of these sessions.

Junior Sessions (crafts etc)

We continue to see good numbers at the holiday craft events, in particular the summer Reading Heroes ones. We had 107 sign ups, 51 (47.7%) of whom achieved the reading element and 34 the whole thing. 81 children completed at least 1 activity (Compared to SCART – Target was 75 sign ups and 30% completions.)

We have also have 1 class from each of our 4 Primary schools booked to attend sessions with Dan Worsley, kindly paid for from FoAL funds.

Looking at how all this ties in with our Business Plan:

Digital – Target is 40 Record of Achievement forms (where either staff, volunteers or digital partners have helped customers in at least 4 identifiable areas). Thanks to the UDevelop course we have completed 22 (55%) (though this is under dispute as we have completed more!)

Deliver Better Service – We said we would invite all 4 schools in for a class visit of some kind. The Dan Worsley visits would have ticked a couple of these off but illness thwarted us. We have had St Paul's to Storytime and have Adlington booked in for World Book Day week. We have been to assemblies at all the schools too, to promote Reading Heroes and then to present the certificates so that the Head Teachers are aware of who has completed.

Caring for the vulnerable – We said we would do something around Dementia Action Week, Together Fund activities and Children's Mental Health week and have delivered on these. We had 15 people attend a Dementia Awareness session and become Dementia Friends, The Together Fund has been covered elsewhere and we hosted an event with LCC Children and Family Wellbeing Team for Children's mental health week with 10 children and 8 adults attending and had our sensory tent and light up pebbles available all week and these proved popular with children.

Support economic growth – We had a LAL course about household budgeting and also hosted Age UK with an information morning.

Protect our environment – we have the battery recycling box (official) and collect newspapers for the hedgehog rescue (unofficial) to help with recycling. We have also hosted Dom Conlon with his books about the environment.

Culture and creativity – The king's Coronation on the big screen was a great success with 60+ people attending over the course of the morning. Fun Palace happened again with a similar footfall to previous years. Libraries Week had a 'green' theme and we used recycled resources and had a display of eco-friendly books.

We have Mother Language Day on February 21[st] with a display that Lars has pulled together as our 'non-English as his mother tongue' expert! We also have LGBT+ month and Shakespeare Week where we will have activities and/or displays.

Health & Wellbeing – Mental Health Awareness Week in May, our Reading Friends held their regular meeting during this week and the Together Fund activities also cover this. Empathy Day (June) we used this theme for Storytime & Baby Bounce & Rhyme. Loneliness Awareness Week (June) we had notices on the benches to promote Library regular events, coffee morning also embraces this Singing for the brain, Raise the Roof is a local version of this Alzheimer's Society initiative.

Information and Digital – British Science week (10-19 March) Looking at pulling together an activity for this – maybe after school on the Monday. STEM programme, we have a target of 1 activity per month, Lego covers this as a minimum but we do also need to look at what other activities we can do using the resources LCC have made available to us such as the Code & Go mice and Lego Gearbots along with other things such as gardening, the vehicles from recycled materials etc.

Reading – Whilst we have days/weeks such as World Book Day and National Storytelling Week plus Reading heroes, we also have our year round Reading Schemes Library Explorers, Little Steps and Lancashire Reading Trail to promote. STEM

We have been asked to get closer to STEM and things like the Lego Club and the crocuses would count towards this. STEM is Science Technology Engineering and Maths but we don't need to suddenly become Physics Professors or Coding Experts overnight!

We will be starting to work on the 2023/24 business plan soon and I will let you have a copy so that we can ensure that the work you do is supportive of our core areas and helps with the targets we aim to achieve.

9. Future projects and Events.

Weekly coffee mornings are still very popular & will continue. We will also look to hold another fashion show & murder mystery event during 2024. Films for all will continue, if anyone has any ideas for future films or any other talks/events - please let the committee know.

10. AOB

FOAL now has a laptop & iPad.

A recent LEGO session was filmed and animated using the ipad and softwear, by the ‘Library Hacks’.

The Committee members are welcome to borrow the laptop/iPad as appropriate.

We have purchased an Art Trolley. We are also purchasing new movable shelving for the library.

11. AGM 2025

Will take place in February 2025 – date to be confirmed.

Meeting closed at 19:45