## **Setmurthy Parish Hall** 

## **Chairman’s Report October 2021 – January 2023** 

This report covers a period of fifteen months due to our not holding the planned AGM in November 2022.  This was due to the untimely death of our much admired, loved, and missed Chairman, Peter Laws.  An annual report can only reflect briefly on his enormous contribution to every aspect of the life and wellbeing of the hall and its community. 

The fabric of the building continued to be maintained and enhanced throughout this period and works completed have proved to be a sound investment.  The walled garden of the hall has also been much improved and visitors frequently comment on how well kept it looks. 

The Opening Ceremony in April provided a welcome opportunity for members of the public to see what progress has been made.  As the longest serving member of the committee, Dorothy Benson unveiled the commemorative plaque with her usual style and panache. 

The range of activities on offer has seen much variety, with the lacemakers and band practice being regular users.  In late Autumn there was a wood carving course provided by David Hater.  One of the resulting carvings is displayed perched in the hall.  There have been a number of one-off community events; the annual plant sale, a curry lunch provided by our former Chairman and his wife, Peter and Elaine Streatfeild, and the annual St Barnabas lunch, all of these being attended to full capacity.  Thanks must go to the team of volunteers who work tirelessly to make such events a success. 

Following the meeting of 27 September 2022 there has been something of a hiatus in actual and planned activities at the hall.  Of the proposed events we now have firm dates for the Spring Lunch and for the coffee morning/plant sale.  In terms of the series of talks, the book exchange, the cyclist stop off etc. no definite progress can be reported at the time of writing.  The cycle shop in Cockermouth are quite happy to carry out some limited “market research” on our behalf and to publicise the facility should we decide to go ahead with it.  We have a few vacancies and are in the process of recruiting additional committee members.  As and when our new committee membership is established the plan to increase use of the hall can be revisited.  In the meantime, we need to look to all of our committee members to support activities going forward. 

Further work is in the pipeline relating to internal works within the hall to safeguard against leakages in freezing weather.  The surplus to requirements furniture and other detritus in the outbuildings has been removed and disposed of. 

Chris McGrath 

24 January 2023 



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