Apologies:
David and Ray Tetlow; Anne Wykeham-Martin, Bernadette Yarnold,
Claire and
Steve Mills.
.
Minutes of Previous meeting were accepted as
accurate.
Chairman’s Report:
An active year of building and alterations
and also long periods of waiting.
Church
Building
Pulpit – The pulpit has been moved and is currently
positioned to the left of the new confessional screen.
This has opened up the Norman arch enabling the congregation a
full view of the altar.
Font – The font has been re-positioned into its own raised,
dedicated area.
New Kitchen – A beautiful new kitchen has been installed
within the tower although we still await connection to water and waste.
The connection by Thames Water has proved a long and tortuous
escapade. At one stage we
did look at the possibility of connecting to our neighbour’s supply,
this was not possible the Architect is now arranging for the payment of
connection to be sent to TW asking them to fast track the work.
The Children’s Area – A new children’s area has been
created at the back of the church that is proving beneficial to the rest
of the congregation.
Re-positioning of pews – Pews have been moved from
the back of the church and re-positioned at the front in the old pulpit
area and also in the previous organ position.
This has created more space around the entrance area.
Re-positioning of the new organ – The organ has been moved
to the back of the church near the tower and with the choir at the side
this has made a tremendous improvement to the acoustics.
Disabled Toilet and temporary building – A meeting has taken
place in the grounds of the church with the “Young Mums” and other
interested parties to discuss the location of a proposed temporary
building for the use of the children and also the location of a proposed
disabled toilet. Drawings
were shown at the time and they have now been put forward for formal
planning approval to the relevant Authorities.
Church Grounds
The hard work of all our gardeners was again rewarded this year with
a Merit Award from the “
Britain
in Bloom” competition. The
certificate was presented at the Coffee Morning in Brook House on 17
October 2009.
Fund Raising
As mentioned last year we did not carry out any major fund raising
activities sticking to our old favourites of the Church Open Day and our
Coffee Morning at Brook House. Thanks
once again to Louise and Seymour for allowing us to use their beautiful
home. A Christmas cake made
by Tony Barrett and beautifully decorated by Pat Charlton was raffled
twice – why you may ask? The first winner could not take it to
America
, however, two raffles makes more money!
We did not take part in the Cricklade Show because of the lack of
volunteers nor did we take part in the Cycle Ride this year.
The drawing by David Hoad has now been framed and is ready to be
raffled. A quantity of
notelets has been produced and these were first on sale at the Coffee
Morning and are available from our Secretary, Gerry and also on sale at
the back of the Church. Our
major activity for 2010 will be “Swing in the Garden” but more of
this later.
Parish Activity
St Mary’s RC Church was re-dedicated in 1984 so to celebrate the
Silver Jubilee a Parish Breakfast was held after Mass in early October.
It was held in Thames Hall and was thoroughly enjoyed by all who
attended including a large number of children.
The year has been active but would not have been so without the help
of all “The Friends” but we should especially thank our Secretary,
Gerry for her unstinting help in all sorts of ways throughout the year
and also Tony Barrett our Treasurer for keeping our accounts in order. My
sincere thanks go to them both.
On behalf of “The Friends” I thank Louise and Seymour for the use
of Brook House throughout the year. It is greatly appreciated.
As I look forward to a fifth year as Chairman I thank everybody for
their help and support.
Treasurer’s Report: Copy
attached. Tony apologised for the
year-end confusion. The
matter has now been rectified and should hold no further problems. The
accounts were accepted. Proposed:
Tricia Snape, Seconded: Edmund Lee
Membership:
GD reported that 2009 paid up membership totalled 42.
So far, membership for 2010 stands at 18.
Those present who have not yet paid were reminded that membership
is now due.
Election of Officers: Present serving officers agreed to serve a further year.
E
Condon –Chairman
A
Barrett - Treasurer
G
Dudley – Secretary
GD suggested that it might be useful to try to
increase our committee membership with younger members of the
congregation/community, bringing new blood into the fold.
Eddie Condon asked Gerry Hoburn if he could spare the time to
join our group and he said he would “think about it”.
Fundraising:
At last year’s AGM it was decided that no major fundraising
event would be organised, but the smaller events would be repeated.
Therefore the Refreshments during Cricklade Festival and Coffee
Morning went ahead, jointly raising approximately £500.
Due to lack of volunteers, the table at Cricklade Show was
cancelled this year, and it was thought that perhaps a break in this
event would be advisable for a while, since it was not actually a
fundraiser, but more a way of raising St Mary’s profile in the
community.
In June 2010, Tricia and Gerry will organise a
similar event to last year’s Proms in the Garden, but with a
“Swing” theme. Tricia
has booked a swing band with a singer, and it is hoped that a few other
performers will be found to make the evening worthwhile and as enjoyable
at The Proms.
Price and number of tickets to be discussed at
future meeting.
At this juncture Eddie Condon, on behalf of The
Friends, thanked
Seymour
and Louise Aitken for their continuing support and generosity in
allowing us to hold our various functions in their home and garden.
There was no participation in the Great Cycle Ride
this year, due to Peter Baister’s hospitalisation and recuperation.
No volunteer came forward to take this task on.
Next Year’s meetings:
Tuesday
January 12th 2010 at 7.00 in St Mary’s
Tuesday
March 9th
“
“
Tuesday
June 15th “
“
Tuesday
September 14th
“
AGM
9th November after 7.00 Mass for Deceased Friends.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
Planning Permission objections:
Eddie reported that objections to the plans for a temporary
building and disabled loo in the churchyard by town planners,EC agreed
to discuss this with Councillor Peter Colmer and arrange a meeting with
the planning committee, GD volunteered to join the meeting when
arranged. EC has had several discussions with Peter Colmer, John
Coole (Assistant Town Clerk) has also attended Planning meeting. We now
await their deliberations
Eddie Condon raised the issue of decorating
the church. It is the next
major project after our internal and external changes are complete.
It was suggested that an approximate cost for this should be
obtained before coming to a conclusion.
Eddie also mentioned the possibility of The
Friends paying for the cost of the newly installed kitchen and disabled
toilet. It was then decided
to postpone discussion until the next Committee meeting in January 2010.
Peter Baister raised the issue of applying
for a grant from The Waylands Trust.
Applications are usually accepted in May.
It was agreed to discuss this further at the next Committee
meeting.
Edmund Lee volunteered to update the guide book with help re
photographs etc. It was felt
that a better quality booklet could be sold for more than the £1
charged for the current version.
Louise Aitken commented on the excellent
quality of the newsletters, both in layout and content.
Fr Philip raised the matter of opening the
church during the week. It
was agreed to discuss this at the next committee meeting.
Tricia Snape asked if the Swing Band leader,
Mr Bob Jones, would be allowed to look around the garden at Brook House
to plan the layout for this event. Seymour
and Louise agreed to this.
The meeting ended at 20:40 with thanks to Louise
and Seymour for the use of their dining room.
