FRIENDS OF CHADKIRK AGM May 2023
Meeting: Thursday 04 May 2023
Time: 7:00 pm
Venue: Chadkirk Chapel
Present and apologies
Present - Pat Baker, John Pengelly, Brian Thompson, Roger Pearce, Peter Labrow, Alan Atkinson, Lynn Burston, Catherine Burgess, Val Hinchliffe, Frances Holmes, Howard Green, Graham Lander, Phil Reinberg, Wendy Southam, Lesley Thompson.
Apologies - Agnes Barlow, Barbara Bird, Carol and Colin Burkitt, Angie Clark, Dave Colquitt, Caroline Corden, Deb and Russ Cox, Ruth Fialla, Pam Farrell, Ann Pearce, Bev Rose, Marian and Frank Thompson, George Walker, Jenny Hardy, Norma Archer, Sue Taylor, Richard Townsend, Jeanette Webb.
Minutes of last meeting and matters arising
The minutes of the meeting held on 03 March 2022 were accepted as a true record. Proposed: JP. Seconded: PB.
Chairman’s Annual Report
JP welcomed all present and confirmed that the meeting was quorate. Last year had been a very busy and successful one for the Friends. There was too much to report in details so he listed them in groups.
Regular activities:
Gardening and Tai Chi groups had met on a regular basis;
Bee hives had recently re-appeared;
Open Days had been held every month with the exception of December 2022 which was
Boxing Day. The kiosk saw a number of improvements with new table cloths and plates,
children’s games and live entertainment;
Use by other groups, for example, the Hydro AGM.
Events:
Easter Service and Egg Hunt 2022;
Jubilee Garden party;
July Well Dressing;
October Harvest Supper and Quiz;
Christmas Carol Services and Concerts;
January Wassail;
Easter Service and Egg Hunt 2023.
Administration/bureaucracy:
Much had been done in relation to obtaining insurance and licences;
There had been much discussion with SMBC further to the retirement of John Rowland and his moving out of the farmhouse - this had related to security issues and the need for repairs after flood damage because of frozen pipes;
FoC issues were now a regular item for consideration at meeting of the Werneth Area Committee;
We had joined the National Council for Voluntary Organisations;
JP expressed his especial thanks to Carol and Colin Burkitt for the work that they had done in keeping membership records. Current membership stood at 86;
Pollution had recently become a serious problem with the overflow of sewers flooding parts of the estate; this had involved much discussion with United Utilities.
Acquisitions:
Electric piano
Display boards
P.A. system
Kiosk improvements
New sets of keys.
Children’s games and activity sheets
Finally, JP expressed his thanks for all the work that volunteers and members of the committee had done throughout the course of the year. He was also pleased to thank SMBC for mayoral attendance at all important events and for recognising the work of the FoC in making the chapel a regular item for consideration by the Werneth Area Committee.
Treasurer’s Annual Report
The following were elected unanimously to serve on the management committee:
Pat Baker - President
Proposed: JP
Seconded: AA
John Pengelly - Chair
Proposed: BT
Seconded: PB
Brain Thompson - Treasurer
Proposed: JP
Seconded: AA
Roger Pearce - Secretary
Proposed: BT
Seconded: AA
Peter Labrow - Publicity
Proposed: AA
Seconded: JP
Angie Clark
Proposed: JP
Seconded: FH
Two new committee members were also agreed.
Wendy Southam – Membership Secretary
Proposed: JP
Seconded: LB
Frances Holmes – Kiosk and Catering
Proposed: RP
Seconded: CB
A.O.B.
Fly posting
PL said that FoC needed to put its own notices in designated notice boards as well as ensuring that no unauthorised publicity was posted around the chapel and estate. This then widened into a lengthy discussion about publicity materials and the advertising of FoC events throughout the locality. It was agreed that it would greatly help PL if members would give him the contact details of any local shops etc. which would be willing to take our posters. Alan and Lynn offered to place posters in their localities, PL would arrange copies for them.
Notice boards
This was also discussed as part of the previous item. Footpath update – PB said that she had been contacted by the new Countryside Officer for the area who also and it was hoped that the path might be adopted as a footpath. This would clarify the status of the path more formally; many years ago the person who owned the farm was annually given a sack of logs for allowing the path to be used. The foot-bridge which was removed a few years ago is in storage in the barn.
Sewage Pollution
Covered in Chairman’s report above
Shredder
PB said that this was petrol driven and had not been used since the departure of John Rowland however, Daryll, the newly appointed Countryside Officer said that he was willing to operate the machine. There were H&S issues related to its use.
Oak tree
PB said that the oak tree at the entrance to the garden might need to be felled and replaced. The SMBC arboriculturalist was being consulted.
Stalls at the Well Dressing
There was some discussion regarding arrangements that should be made with potential stall holders; much of this centred around commercial aspects. The meeting agreed that some limited commercial sales should be allowed by local traders/artists who attend, and that a donation to FoC should be requested from them based on the success of their trading. Committee to formalise how this would be handled.
Archive Records
BT said that when Romiley Local History Society folded, firstly FoC received a donation of £272 from their remaining funds and, secondly, their archives which had been built up as a result of researches of various local subjects. LT had sorted those items relating to the Estate into ring binders which would in due course be stored in the Chapel and be accessible to members and visitors. PL suggested that these could in time be digitised to enable wider online access.
Floor at base of Font
CB agreed to research the possibility and costs of tiling the floor area around the font and to pass the information to the Committee for consideration.
Date of next meeting
The meeting closed at 8:30 pm.
Next FoC open meeting: 06 July 2023, 1900hrs in the Chapel
Well Dressing planning meeting to be held in the Chapel at 7.00 pm on 10 May.
