Minutes of the Ash Victoria Hall AGM 2022
Present – Dave Brown, Ian Chant, Paul Goulding, Mick Hills, Jan Coulson Apologies – Susan Bowles, Brian Perry, Sharon Wilkinson, Nigel Manning Minutes of 2021 AGM – Accepted as a true and accurate record
Matters arising – none
Chairman & Booking Secretary’s Report – Presented before the meeting and below
Reports for the Ash Victoria Hall 2022 AGM
Chairman’s Report
We finally came out of the various lockdowns thanks to the efforts of many members of the committee and Gemma who has worked very hard to keep the Hall very presentable. As I have mentioned many times before the Hall depends on these committee members to take on established roles and embrace new ones as they arrive.
There have been two major developments over the last twelve months. The incursion from some local youths in the summer and the subsequent purchase and installation of a very good quality CCTV system. Thanks to Paul for that. When there was another break-in and very clear images obtained it was disappointing that the police were unable to act upon that information.
The second was the decision to spend nearly £3000 on attempting to get the clock back to better working order. That is ongoing and it will be interesting to see how effective the cleaning will be.
Mick continues to deal with any issues around the Hall with a speediness that is to be applauded. It will be interesting how the re-lining in the car park is received. To date I have had no comments. Ian, as always, keeps a very close hand on the finances and Susan keeps the website and facebook page current.
We have continued to support a range of charities with the monthly quizzes, the gig from Out of the Shadows, the Talent Night organised by Mick, the Brass quartet recital and the coffee morning organised by Sharon. I also, if it is convenient, permit other charities to organise events as well as offer space, free of charge, to an alcohol support group and the local Good Neighbours Scheme. There are also occasional meetings for social services that meet at the Hall.
Where we are able, we help out APC with tables for their two events, the Fun day and Fantasia.
Although I am experiencing increased personal pressure I would like to offer myself for the role of Chairman for another year.
Dave Brown
Booking Secretary Report
The Hall is almost back to the level of usage that was there in March 2020. Significantly PALS are going to do a pantomime next month. We have gained one U3A group but lost another and we have also gained another children’s dance group. There are less table tennis teams than we had ten years ago but that, I suspect, reflects a national picture. We have the usual one offs. Geoff Hiscott with his Jazz sessions, the Nordic Walking classes and it appears likely that we will have regular ‘fright nights’. Sadly, in the last couple of weeks, it looks likely that the Friday evening Board Game Club may be folding. They have cancelled for the rest of this year. Soupdragons have expanded and this has helped me as Sharon has offered to show any one-off bookers around if they can make a Thursday. Sometimes this is not possible so I have someone turning up just before the next quiz night and Paul has helped out with a Sunday showing. That help is very much appreciated. The booking form has been amended and we now ask for 50% of the booking fee when the booking is confirmed. I am willing to offer my services as Booking Secretary for another year.
Dave Brown
There were no questions arising from the reports
Treasurer’s Report
The Treasurer was happy with the situation and the auditor agreed that the balance was £43,500. Ian reported that he had investigated accounts that would offer more for our money and Virgin Money was the preferred account. Given the healthy state of the finances it was agreed that there would not be an increase in hiring charges for 2023.
Election of Officers
All officers were returned to post
Chairman – Dave Brown
Secretary – Susan Bowles
Treasurer – Ian Chant
Clerk of Works – Mick Hills
Committee members – Sharon Wilkinson, Paul Goulding, Brian Perry, Jan Coulson
APC Representative – Nigel Manning
The meeting finished at 7.50 and was followed by a regular committee meeting
Date of next AGM – November 2023