November 2023 Friends of Chadkirk meeting
Minutes of the Friends of Chadkirk meeting held at 12:00 noon on Thursday 2 November at Chadkirk Chapel
Attendance:
Pat Baker (President), John Pengelly (Chairman), Brian Thompson (Treasurer), Roger Pearce (Secretary), Francis Holmes, Wendy Southam, Alan Atkinson, Barbara Bird, Catherine Buzsard, Howard Green, Phil Rheinberg, Ann Stead, Lesley Thompson, Val Hinchcliffe.
Apologies: Angie Clark, Peter Labrow, Melloney Lenk, Deb Cox, Janet Gilbody, Sue and Geoff Thorpe, Jeanette Webb
Chairman’s Remarks:
October Open Day – this had been very successful and he thanked all those who had helped.
Kitchen refurbishment was well underway - see below
SMBC – had made no contact except in agreeing to undertake any further electrical work related to the kitchen refurbishment.
Pollution issues – a letter had been received from the River Rangers group from United Utilities saying that they had walked the length of Padden Brook and cleared any debris.
November Open Day, Sunday 26th – the Phoenix Handbell Ringers and the Quattro Venti flute quartet would provide the entertainment.
Treasurer's Report:
BT gave a brief update on current bank balances and said that, although there was a considerable expenditure relating to the kitchen refurbishment, the financial situation was healthy.
Gardening Report:
PB said that there had been a delivery of bulbs and that a further twenty-five bulbs had been donated.
The gardening group had started to create a dead hedge in which to place cut branches
Kiosk Report:
FH said that the kitchen refurbishment was now almost complete and that there remained a few electrical matters which SMBC had agreed to sort out ASAP.
Painting would start on 03 November
There were now locking cupboards and arrangements would be made as to where the keys would be kept.
Taps for hose connection/bucket filing were still to be fitted.
CB proposed that vote of thanks for the work that FH and JP had put into this project.
Publicity & Future Events
In his absence JP presented the report received from PL
Members on the Facebook group now 760 people. 282 people on the mailing list.
Christmas events: 50 posters produced. JP distributed 15 at the meeting. Also PL has promoted initially to the mailing list, list of members of the FoC, and on FoC Facebook group.
All tickets for both Christmas services taken in the first couple of days; 50 tickets for the first and 60 for the second. Meeting agreed to retain residue pending next Tai Chi meeting. Ghost Night and Wassailing was also going well - confident that these will go to a capacity audience once it is prompted. There will be a ticket check on the door to enable the control of numbers entering the chapel when the Morris Dancers perform.
Because Eventbrite now charge, we have had to move to a new ticketing platform. The new platform is free and has an app so, by scanning tickets, it is possible to record those who actually attend.
What’s on at Chadkirk flyers produced for the kiosk team to put out on open Days.
A portable PA has been purchased and tested; it functions adequately. There is also a second microphone; the old microphone stored in the kiosk, although somewhat bartered, is functioning. Two more XLR cables are now needed to cater for its use - short and long.
JP also added that copies of a new calendars of events were available and asked that the times of meetings be noted; on days when the gardening group operated, general meetings would take place in the Chapel starting at 12.00 whereas on days when there were no gardening activities meetings would start at 11.00
A.O.B:
HG gave an update for arrangements for the Carol Services. Awaiting confirmation from clerics, but expects them to offer up accompanists.
FH outlined kiosk arrangements for Christmas and early January. Note drink licences needed. JP will action; also road closure for Wassailing.
She also suggested that the Committee might consider that in future years there would be a Christmas Tree lighting ceremony.
Meeting closed at 12:50
Next scheduled meetings:
Committee 07 December at 19:00 at John Pengelly’s house
Friends of Chadkirk 04 January at 12.00 in the Chapel.
