Underriver Village Association
(Registered Charity No 302831)
Minutes of the
80th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Held at The Village Hall on Wednesday 27th November 2024
Present: Miles Hayward (Chairman), Robert Talbot (Secretary), Ruth Bligh, Mike Clyne, Jennifer Fair, Belinda Goodwin, Vicky Hall, Angus Macdonald, Philip Payne, Richard Perry & 39 other Members of the UVA.
The Chairman welcomed everyone, particularly those who new to the village. He thanked those who work on behalf of our community, Sevenoaks District Council Representative Julia Thornton, our Underriver Representatives on Seal Parish Council Lorna Talbot & Oliver Boorman and our vicar Rev Serena Willoughby.
1. Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from committee members Angela Ridge, Mary Owlett, Omar Mullick, Ed Rook & various members of the UVA, including Julia Thornton, Colin Goodwin, Christopher & Judy Hurrion.
- Minutes of Meeting – 29th November 2023
With the approval of those present, the minutes were taken as read. The motion was proposed by Andy Bligh, seconded by Frazer Hall and carried unanimously.
3. Chairman’s Report: “Once again, we had a busy year for social events, and it was great to see them so well supported. We are always looking for new event ideas and help in running them so please don’t be shy!
I would like to personally thank the UVA committee members for their hard work throughout the year, their enthusiasm and passion for this village is humbling.
The hard work over the last few years in modernising the hall, the equipment and improving the overall offering to potential hirers has benefited everyone and I am always grateful to hear such positive feedback from people that use the hall. We will continue to maintain and modernise the hall to a high standard for the members and future hirers.
Elizabeth Shirtcliff has managed the bookings expertly and we are very grateful for everything she does, it is not an easy job. Thank you, Elizabeth
Thank you, Mark Salmon for the Christmas lights and Seal Parish Council, for providing the flower tub outside on the barrier and works on Recreation Ground & wood. Angela Forsyth for taking on the maintenance the two flower tubs by the front door. Thank you to our members who make donations or give time to help with the maintenance of the hall and grounds.
I would like to make a special mention to Robert Talbot, not only for the unrelenting support I and the committee receive but also for his wider work he does for the community. This year he spent an enormous amount of time sorting out the mess that SE Water left with their leaks and subsequent damage to the village green.
And finally, but most importantly a massive thank you to our community, for their support of the events and their generosity of their time.
So, looking at the events of the last financial year.
Back in Q4 2023:
The Underriver Race night was terrific success again with a delicious Fish and chip supper. A big thank you to our local businesses that sponsored the event. The Christmas dinner at St Julians raised £560 and were able to make donations to the Camelia Botnar foundation and Mount Camphill, charities that are closely linked to people within our community.
A huge thank you to Fiona Mullick for organising the Christmas dinner, it is fantastic that Sophie Honnywill has taken up the baton for this year.
A big thank you to Lucy Weston has delivered the Christmas for the last 11 years, in 2023 it raised £580 which was split between the UVA and the PCC. This wonderful tradition will continue with the Patricot family kindly taking over from Lucy. A big thank you to Lucy.
Elizabeth also started the “Soups and Puds” initiative, which was tremendously successful, giving a very kind donation to the uva. This is continuing again this year.
And in 2024:
We enjoyed our annual Underriver Quiz with huge thanks to Frank Desmond which raised over £1200. Frank will be passing on the baton after 2025 so if there are any budding quiz master’s out there, please shout.
The Underriver Golf Day held at Lamberhurst GC was well supported again and congratulations to all the winners and thanks to Colin Goodwin for organising a terrific day. A surplus of £283 was made.
Underriver turned Jamaican over the Summer with the Caribbean evening supported by both the UVA and PCC, it was good to try something different and everyone had a great time.
Another new initiative was the village cricket match played for the “Mary Owlett Cup.” UCC captained by Kendall Jarrett vs a select Village side Captained by Damian White, following on from the Jubilee success we hope to make this an annual event. A big thank you everyone who supported it and for Mary Owlett in her generosity in sponsoring the day. It was close match with the experience of UCC the difference on the day!
A big thank you to our working party who in August cleaned the hall cupboards, did a stock take and painted the benches.
In September we celebrated a very special Birthday for Tony Fasey – many congratulations again to him and his Family.
The last event of the year was the Last night of the Proms in September. A truly British celebration that was again well attended. We had some technical difficulties, but our wonderful pianist Christophe Patricot saved the night with some improvisation. A big thank you to Belinda Goodwin and her army of helpers.
Looking ahead we have the Christmas market in the hall on Sunday 1st December, Christmas dinner at St Julian’s on 6th December and the Children’s party on 7th December from 14:30
In 2025 we have the Quiz on 1st March, the Golf Day TBC and “U” Fest on 21st June.
- Treasurers Report
RT read through the report: “I would like to provide you with a summary of the main points of the financial report.
As can be seen from the accounts, an operating surplus of £6,245 for the year ending 30th September 2024 compares with a deficit of £22,842 in 2023
Income
Our income from Hall hire was higher than the previous year at £6,297 compared to £4,834 in 2023. We have worked hard at promoting the village hall and updating the website with new photos so this is helping general enquiries.
We are fortunate to still have regular bookings from the PCC, Horticultural Society, Pilates, and the ladies choir. Thank you for your continued support.
We had an increase in overall event surplus of £4,230 vs £496 with the Quiz, Race night, Prom and Golf Day all contributing.
Subscriptions were higher at £1,580 compared to £750 being received in 2023. The increase from £10 to £15 per annum and renewed push on membership has been a success.
We continue to benefit from the increase in savings rates with Cambridge and Counties now at 4.5% for a 95-day notice. Interest received was £2,066 vs £1,383 for 2023.
Expenditure
After last year’s significant programme to improve the hall which included the new kitchen, boiler and redecoration we had a quieter year with improvements and maintenance accounting for £3,124 vs £40,040 in 2023.
Overall expenditure incurred includes the following:
Heating and lighting costs have improved with a new 2-year fixed deal £2,852 vs £3,634. Cleaning: £1,487 vs £1,596. Insurance: £982 vs £909
This year we are planning to install a hearing loop in the hall together with an integrated audio system, the expected cost is circa £3500 & we are currently investigating grants to help with the cost of this.
Long Term Reserves
Due to the surplus created this year and in recognition of the substantial increase in construction costs we have reviewed the long-term reserve maintenance plan and transferred £5,000 to increase it to £54,263 from £49,263
I would like to thank Carla Schaeffer for again reviewing the accounts and providing us with her support and advice”
The approval of the Accounts was proposed by Phil Payne and seconded by Kit Thornton and the motion was carried unanimously.
5. Election of UVA Committee
The Chairman welcomed two new members Angus Macdonald & Richard Perry who were both being proposed to join the committee. Two committee members had decided to stand down, Edward Rook & Omar Mullick, he thanked them for their support over many years & that Edward would continue to be a link with the Cricket Club & Omar would be a first point of call for putting up marquees!
Therefore, it was proposed that Trustee members Phillip Payne (PCC) & Angela Ridge (Hort Soc) both be nominated for next year. Independent members who were standing for election & re-election were: Ruth Bligh, Mike Clyne, Jennifer Fair, Belinda Goodwin, Vicky Hall, Miles Hayward, Angus Macdonald, Mary Owlett, Richard Perry & Robert Talbot. The motion was proposed by Louise Hayward and seconded by John Clemence and carried unanimously.
6. Village Organisations:
St Margaret’s PCC – Philip Payne reported that once again it had been a busy year with regular church
events & that the significant works carried out in church were now completed & look spectacular.
Some new initiatives had taken place, including a Lent Course, Treasure Hunt, the Kids Cafe, the
Caribbean Night & the Heavenly Café.
He thanked everyone involved with particular thanks to John Clemence, Maxine Clarke & Serena for
all their efforts & enthusiasm.
Horticultural Society – Helen Macdonald reported that despite tricky weather conditions both shows went well this year, plus the Plant Sale which raised £374 for the Court Trust.
The year had culminated in their AGM & prize giving which this year had also included a quiz.
She encouraged more people to enter the two shows next year.
Cricket Club – Mike Clyne reported that there had been some very good individual performances this year, however the Saturday team had been relegated to League 6 – P13, W5, L8. There is also a Sunday League which is less formal & anybody wishing to play should contact Kendall Jarrett.
New on the fixtures calendar this year was the inaugural Mary Owlett Cup with an Underriver X1 playing UCC. An amazing day was had by all. Lots of youth turned out to play and lots of great support on the boundary. This will now be an annual fixture and we look to growing the day to celebrate the village and those who make it a wonderful place to live and play cricket
Soups & Puds - Elizabeth Shirtcliff gave a report on “Soups & Puds” which takes place once a month during October to March, meeting in the Village Hall to enjoy a choice of 3 homemade soups & a range of delicious puddings. Payment of £10 per head in advance, the surplus is shared between St Margaret’s & the UVA.
The two lunches that had taken place so far had been attended by between 20 - 30 people each time.
The Chairman then welcomed the Chairman of Seal Parish Council, Chris Haslam. Chris announced that this year Elizabeth had been awarded their Community Award for all her support to the Underriver community over many years including managing the village hall bookings & her new initiative Soups & Puds.
- AOB
The meeting closed at 20.40 hours.
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