Underriver Village Association
(Registered Charity No 302831)
Minutes of the
65th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
held in the Village Hall on Wednesday 25th November 2009
Present: Helen Watson (Chairman), Miles Hayward (Treasurer), Robert Talbot (Secretary), Tony Bird, Fionna Brooks, Mary Owlett, Edward Rook, Michael Tong, and 30 other Members of the UVA.
Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from various members of the UVA, including Committee member Jennifer Thornton and ordinary members Sally & David Candlin, Kit Thornton, Phillip & Libby Payne, Marion Ansell, Richard Shirtcliff, Jennifer Fair, Heather Clemence, Betty Tong.
Minutes of Meeting – 26th November 2008
With the approval of those present, the minutes were taken as read. The motion was proposed by Liz Bird, seconded by Elizabeth Shirtcliff, and carried unanimously.
Chairman’s Report
Nick & Anne-Marie Jordan were thanked for their contribution to the Village Association over the last 5 years. In addition all members of the Committee were thanked for their work and special tribute was paid to Miles Hayward (Hon. Treasurer).
The hall had been well used this year & hire receipts had increased by over 50% in the last 2 years. The Chairman then gave a resume of the last year highlighting all the fund raising events that had taken place & the efforts involved by numerous members of the village.
The need for an Underriver representative on Seal Parish Council was flagged and anybody wishing to progress this should contact the Parish Clerk Lorna Talbot in the first instance.
New investment had included some very comfortable new chairs & the new sewage treatment system which will save money in the medium term.
Treasurer’s Report
The Hon. Treasurer, Miles Hayward (MH) presented the Accounts for the year ended 30 September 2009, thanking regular hirers of the hall for their continued support.
Andrew Bligh asked whether hire rates for the hall were to be increased & MH said that in future rents would be reviewed regularly on an annual basis to keep up with rises in utilities costs with the next review taking place in Jan 2010 for implementation from Sept 2010.
Neil Fair asked how lower interest rates would impact savings in 2010 and MH responded that this had been forecast in the region of - £1000.
He thanked John Clemence, Tony Marks and Max Sinclair for helping to prepare and inspect the accounts.
The approval of the Accounts was proposed by Andrew Bligh and seconded by John Clemence and the motion was carried unanimously.
Election of UVA Committee – 2009
Jennifer Thornton (PCC), Fionna Brooks (TUG), Mary Owlett (Hort Soc) and Michael Tong (Cricket Club) had all been re nominated for 2010. Independent members who were standing for re-election were: Helen Watson, Robert Talbot, Miles Hayward, Tony Bird and Edward Rook. The motion was proposed by Andrew Bligh and seconded by Tony Ansell and carried unanimously.
Village Organisations:
Horticultural Society – MO gave a resume of the last year and including that the Plant Sale had raised £465 for Kent Air Ambulance. She announced events for the coming year, including the earlier date for the Summer Show which will take place on the 10th July, she said new members of the society would be very welcome as would new exhibitors. She thanked Michael Tong for his support as Treasurer over the last 20 years who was now standing down.
Thursday Underriver Group (TUG) – FB reported that TUG’s 45 members had had a good year with ten well attended meetings and excellent speakers. They like to support a local charity & over the past year this has been Kent West Dyslexia Assoc. They were now looking forward to their Christmas Lunch on Dec 3rd. New members are always welcome.
Cricket Club – MT reported that the cricket pavilion had been broken into recently & that we should all be vigilant. He then gave a resume of the last year highlighting some impressive batting & bowling performances by various team members.
Wildlife – MO read a report from Fidelity Weston. She highlighted the return of Nightingales to Underriver & the important role that coppice plays in their habitat. A moth trap has been running in the village to help monitor how habitat improvements help wild life. If you would like to get involved contact FW.
St. Margarets PCC – Jennifer Thornton sent in a report expressing gratitude to the vicar Michael Cook and his wife Elspeth and thanks to Andrew Rucker & Judy Hurrion who have stood down from their roles as Newssheet Editor & Secretary respectively.
She reported on various successful and events and services during the last year & thanked Christopher Hurrion for his management of the Church finances. The organ has had a major overhaul & the Quinquennial repairs are now complete.
Any other business
Tim Tawney thanked the committee & The White Rock on behalf of the Royal British Legion for their contribution from this years Village Firework Night of over £800 towards this years Poppy Appeal
RT reported a message from Phillip & Libby Payne that they had purchased a new clock for the hall, replacing the clock originally donated by Phillip’s grandfather.
Juliet Simpson highlighted a scheme from heating oil distributor “Southern Counties Oil” whereby additional funds could be obtained for local charities – contact Juliet for further information
The meeting closed at 20.45 hours.
