BRANCEPETH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION CHAIRMAN'S REPORT 2020/21.
As presented to the AGM of 30 June.
Due to Covid restrictions the hall closed on 23 March 2020 and has yet to fully re-open. We were very grateful for the Government grants which supported our on-going costs.
Although the hall has been closed, we have continued to provide support to the community with a number of initiatives - all following social distancing requirements - as detailed below:
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Brancepeth Springwatch – a dedicated webpage to capture and share photographs
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Interactive online quizzes themed around the seasons and music – keeping people connected
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VE Day Celebrations
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Themed take-aways – using the hall as a collection hub
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Christmas Advent Windows
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Compilation past Xmas Shows DVD for sale
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Online Xmas Show Party
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Easter Trail
In conjunction with the Mid Durham AAP we ran a series of outdoor activities for youngsters during the long school holidays – named ‘Brancepeth Alive’.
During the period that the hall was closed we took the opportunity to replace the aging stair lift, refurbished and improved the stage area, installed LED stage spotlights and re-decorated the main hall.
There have been a number of changes to the management committee. We have lost the services from the committee of Joan Taylor, Josie Armstrong, Margot Harrison and Peter Aitken. We wanted to recognise the work of those who have chaired BCA over the years, and we have produced an honours board which names all from the earliest days and will be updated over time.
We have contributed to an apple tree for planting in the allotments in memory of John Morgan and we have installed a seat outside the hall in memory of George Gibbons.
Subscriptions. Due to the extended closure we decided to alter the subscription year from now on to commence 1[st] July, thus giving members 18 months membership for 2020.
We have at last achieved cancellation of the BT contract for phone and WI-FI, with an effective date of 23 March last year. We have now contracted with PlusNet at a significant cost saving. The free website deal has been withdrawn and we now have a new web hosting service provided by a local company, with the owner a previous village resident.
Our bank balance remains healthy with further receipt of a Covid grant from Government. A sub-group has been formed to review potential green refurbishment options and these will be presented to the committee at future meetings for discussion.
Peter M. Aitken OBE
Chairman.
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