Chairman’s Report 2024
2024 and into 2025 has seen continued development and change building on the hard work and progress of previous years carried out by the Trustees, Committee Members and Volunteers. Up until this year that work was led by Dominic Geldard who stepped down as Chair after five years dedication. To our good fortune, Dominic has remained an active committee member and trustee, continuing to carry out a great deal of work behind the scenes for which we, and I in particular, are most grateful.
After initially sharing the Chair role amongst ourselves it became clear to the committee that continuity of responsibility in that role would be extremely advantageous in order to best see through the application for the then available, potentially significant, grant financing under the Government’s Levelling Up Fund and the works that might lead from it.
As a result, I offered to take on the Chairmanship for the duration of that project and was accepted to do so. Unfortunately, as we are aware, the subsequent announcement of the general election led to the withdrawal of that funding opportunity, however I have thus far remained.
Despite this setback, Centre users have continued to be well looked after with regulars such as the Parish Council, Bishopsteignton Heritage, Art, Flower, Garden and Table Tennis clubs, the Players, Pilates and of course the Monthly Lunch Club and Coffee Mornings being joined by new recurring bookings from Singing for Fun, Drum Devon and Sounds Choir.
Successful events have been held throughout the year including the Village Show, the Annual Art Exhibition and several exhibits held in the Hawkins room by Bishopsteignton Heritage who also hosted their Annual Molly Coombe Lecture with the RSPB and produced the highly entertaining “Evening with Colin and Dave” – a collaboration between BH, the Village Hall, Players, Pantomime Society and ourselves. This will be repeated at least once again. As well as being a viable source of income it provided a useful proof of concept for other collaborations and events in the future.
Regarding our much loved and historically important building and grounds: various maintenance and repair work has been carried out on the property – some planned and some reactive such as the fixing of a burst water pipe underneath the front playground and the treatment of woodworm in the Hawkins room floor. A keypad entry system has been installed greatly aiding the management of opening and closing.
Further investigations have been carried out into future necessary works regarding roof, render and windows and planning is underway for a schedule of improvements – watch this space.
External improvements and developments have been carried out in the front and rear playgrounds by Kate Yeo and her team of volunteers who most recently have also turned their attention to the plot behind the kitchen. This same team were responsible for an upgrade to the year’s Christmas decorations, achieving this with the sterling assistance of other members of the Committee, if I may say so.
We continue to investigate new ways in which we might serve the Community and encourage others to become involved as users or volunteers.
In the year ahead, as well as activities already referred to, we will be seeking to carry out some upgrading of the décor and environment within the building. Reorganisation of storage and other space will help us rationalise our letting opportunities and maximise much needed revenue.
As a part of this we are entering into discussions with Bishopsteignton Heritage who have expressed an interest in expanding their use of the building to accommodate their ongoing development and display capability in particular, which should also see the finalisation of the transfer of contents from the previous museum upstairs. A successful outcome should lead to a more financially assured future for the Centre through rent and funding opportunities and greater usage by the community in general.
For all of this to happen the contribution of the existing small group of Volunteers, Trustees and Committee Members cannot be overestimated. Without their constant attention and activity there would be no Community Centre for the users of our Parish to benefit from. I would very much like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved for their worthwhile efforts and sincerely hope that users of the Centre and the wider community appreciate all that is involved.
As mentioned earlier my tenure as Chair was originally intended to last the duration of a project no longer underway. I am offering to remain in the role while the lease negotiations with Bishopsteignton Heritage and transfer of the old museum take place, after which I will be stepping down in order to concentrate on my expanding duties with that organisation. Between now and then I leave the door open should someone else be willing to take it on or engage in a phased handover in the meantime.
I look forward to further progression and a productive year ahead.
Thank you
James Hooper
Chairman
Bishopsteignton Community Centre.
Charity No. 1180685
Shute Hill, Bishopsteignton TQ14 9QL
James Hooper – Trustee / Chairman Henry Merritt – Trustee / Deputy Chairman Alison Prestt – Trustee / Booking Clerk Dominic Geldard – Trustee Nick Farrell – Trustee
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