MINUTES OF AGM OF FRIENDS OF HAWKHURST. 12 NOVEMBER 2025, 19:00
Present: Trustees, Anita Stevens (Chair) Joss Brushfield, Harvey Cobbold (Treasurer), Tina Cobbold, Eddie Coombs, Janet Coombs, Sheila de Vries, Jacqueline Schalburg; Volunteer: Jill Haydock, Guest, Stephanie Brushfield.
Apologies: Susan Terrell, Trustee
The Chair noted we were quorate and that minutes of the 2024 AGM were signed as correct.
Chair’s Report:
Since this time last year, inspite of being a small charity, we have had a very productive year, as well as increasing the numbers of Trustees. At Easter the focus was very much on two different activities, both involving parents with children. In June the attendance at our 5k and 10k Races increased year on year, up to 350 runners and the tie up with Girlguiding in Hawkhurst worked very well. We successfully expanded the number of partnerships to put on the event. In August, Play Day proved once again to be very popular and this year we increased the number of different activities for children with well over 100 children finding lots to amuse and interest them. Compliments flowed in from appreciative parents. We welcomed 60 different stallholders to Makers @ The Moor in September and a new layout contributed to a busy and friendly event. We invested in a Sum Up machine and this proved to be really worthwhile. At the Seniors Tea we were pleased to welcome 30 seniors and Bowles Lodge kindly hosted again. This year we sponsored Hawkhurst in Bloom for their summer bedding in all the boxes around the village and also paid for two new planters, for which they were most grateful. Another quite different project was the launch of Hawkhurst Life on 1[st] January 2025 and subsequent issues every quarter, led by Gunda Cannon, assisted by Jacqueline Schalburg and distributed by all Trustees. At the same time Joss Brushfield, the lead on our Website has updated it, incorporating new features such as the Community Fridge and an Events on in the village page. The Community Fridge, which closed on 1[st] January this year is now set to reopen on 5[th] January 2026, after much negotiation, fundraising and hard work. Credit must be given to Joss & Stephanie Brushfield who have pushed this project through to a successful completion.
As Chair I would like to thank all Trustees and Volunteers for all your hard work, making Friends of Hawkhurst successful as a charity.
Harvey Cobbold, Treasurer, presented the accounts for the year. No questions. Proposed by Joss Brushfield and seconded by Sheila de Vries.
Hawkhurst Community Trust 2018 Accounts 2024 - 25 (Financial year 1st Oct 24 to 30th Sept 25)
| Startng Balance | £13,324.57 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Income | £8,632.83 | ||
| Total Expenditure | -£6,552.60 | ||
| Final Balance | £15,404.80 | ||
| Annual Surplus | £2,080.23 | ||
| Major Events | Income | Expenditure | Proft/Loss |
| Easter Hunt | £74.25 | -£281.65 | -£207.40 |
| Hawkhurst 5k/10k Run | £2,818.96* | -£1,240.19 | £1,578.77 |
| * Includes support from local businesses totalling £2,7000 | |||
| Play Day | £84.97 | -£1,022.96 | -£937.99 |
| Makers @ the Moor | £2,456.96 | -£992.37 | £1,464.59 |
| Seniors Tea | £0.00 | -£164.06 | -£164.06 |
| High Life Magazine | £1,439.50 | -£1,299.00 | £140.50 |
| £5,435.14 | -£3,701.23 | £1,733.91 | |
| General Income and Expenditure | £346.32 | ||
| of which major income/expenditure: | |||
| Donatons to Hawkhurst in Bloom | -£627.98 | ||
| Donaton to WI | -£100.00 | ||
| Donaton from Waitrose | £500.00 | ||
| Annual Interest | £248.23 |
Community Fridge Accounts
| Startng Balance | £3,819.08 |
|---|---|
| Total Income | £689.16 |
| Total Expenditure | £235.20 |
| Final Balance | £4,743.44 |
| Annual Surplus | £924.36 |
Income came from donations. In addition there was a donation in kind from HCHLof to cover the cost of the electricity until The Green Shop could no longer host the fridge.