Friends of Chadkirk COMMITTEE meeting, November 2022
Friends of Chadkirk Chapel and Estate
Meeting: Tuesday 29 November 2022
Time: 17:00
Minutes
Attendance: Pat Baker (President), John Pengelly (Chairman), Brian Thompson (Treasurer), Roger Pearce (Secretary) Angie Clark, Peter Labrow
Minutes of the Previous Meeting: The minutes of the meeting held on 06 October 2022 were accepted. Matters Arising – none other that what would be reported later in the meeting
Chairman’s Report JP said that little progress had been made regarding the setting up of cashless payments because being able to have such an arrangement required that the Friends of Chadkirk would need to be a sole trader or a registered charity. Climate Action – JP said that this was an initiative by SMBC whereby a grant of up to £500 was available for efficiency projects. In the case of the chapel, if Wi-Fi were installed, the heating could be turned off/on remotely which would be far more cost-effective than the present haphazard situation. AC said that details of application could be obtained on the Council website.
Treasurer’s Report: BT said that there were no significant events impacting on the financial position. He presented a report detailing income, expenditure and bank balances. Expenditure this year included: Web Site, the replacement of a display panel, safety equipment and walkie-talkies. BT suggested that the Friends might decide upon a project on which to spend funds and in the discussion which followed it was suggested that we might consider upgrading the information panels/system in the chapel or commissioning a sculpture for the garden.
Notice Boards: JP said that this would need to be re-visited and that the most viable option might be to leave the supporting posts in situ and replace only the notice boards themselves. Otherwise it might be time-consuming to seek consent from SMBC to carry out groundworks.
Creative and Video Projects: PL said that he would recommend that, even although time would be pressing to get through the present agenda, it might be helpful to start putting in place the means to capture and record some of the knowledge and experiences of those who have been involved for many years. He suggested that in the first instance several members of the Friends with a vast experience of the chapel and Estate might be invited to a session in the form of a ‘chat’ to be recorded and edited later.
Christmas and New Year Events: JP said that he would produce a plan showing what the need was for volunteer duties at events in December and the New Year. 10/12/22 Carol Services – Howard would be meeting and accompanying the Mayor and Mayoress. 17/12.22 Concert – AC will meet and accompany Civic guests. JP to contact Mayoress to confirm the two readings she is to deliver. RP to finalise programme and liaise with PL regarding printing. 18/12/22 Irlam Mixed Voice Choir – RP to contact Julie Parker to get more programme details to improve publicity. RP to pass on information to choir regarding parking. 07 January 2023 Wassailing – AC said that Peter Rowcroft, in the role of the green man, would be the MC for the event and, along with the Stockport Morris Men, lead the procession. Those attending would assemble at 1700 hrs in the campsite at the car park in Vale Road and then take part in a torch-light procession through the woods and end at the Chapel where mulled cider would be served.
Calendar of Events 2023: JP said that in addition to regular events, other activities were being put in place to enhance visitor experience and that we were trying to ensure that groups were booked up well in advance. RP said that he was in the process of putting together a programme of musicians who would perform background music during Sunday opening days throughout the year. Thus far, the following had been booked, each of whom had been asked to cover two Sundays: Stockport Bell Ringers; The ‘Luvies’ - a group from the Carver Theatre; Saxophone Quartet; Stockport Ukulele Band; Piano Duettists. PL also suggested that we could host a Halloween event. JP said that some dates in December 2023 could be put in the diary now so that there would not be a clash with an eventt that the Events Team at SMBC might wish to book.
A.O.B. Covid Memorial. AC said that awards of £7000 were available from SMBC for each Council Ward for suggested memorials of the Covid pandemic. It was unanimously agreed that it would be completely appropriate if the footpath through Little Wood were to be restored as a Covid Memorial Walk. PL would seek and co-ordinate responses from local residents who have made use of the walk over many years prior to its being closed.
The meeting closed at 1905. Next Meetings: 5 January 2023 Friends of Chadkirk at 12.30 in the Chapel and 2 February 2023 Committee.
