Village Centre News

Exciting Developments at the Village Centre - 16 November 2008 We are fortunate to have a fine Village Centre. However, since the hall was built in 1993 its use has developed and the kitchen is now inadequate by today’s standards. The main drawbacks are a shortage of space, a lack of automatic dish washing and glass washing facilities, and the need to change from bottled gas cooking. A kitchen sub-committee was formed in 2007 to consider what is needed. We sent a questionnaire to regular users and consulted local caterers. We also discovered that worthwhile grants are available to help fund the modernization. Because of the amount of work involved in achieving our objectives, it was decided to aim high and plan for a really good kitchen to meet foreseeable needs. The space inside can be increased by filling in the corner adjacent to the existing kitchen. By extending the existing roof the result will have a minimal affect on the appearance of the building. The size of the car park will not be affected. Inside the new kitchen we plan to install new cooking equipment, a dishwasher and glass washing machine, and generally to update everything to the latest Health and Safety requirements. We have now applied for planning permission and have the support of our Parish Council. We are also applying to various local and national bodies for grants. Once full proposals are finalised we will present them to the community for comment. If the scheme is approved we plan to start building in the latter part of 2009. ___________________________________________________ St Mary Bourne VILLAGE CENTRE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2008 took place on Wednesday 27th February 2008 Summary of the Chairman's report to the AGM Wednesday 27th February 2008 Introduction 1. The AGM is an important occasion. The Village Centre is a focal point in the valley and it requires to be maintained as a first class facility. The views of inhabitants of St Mary Bourne and users of the Village Centre are of the utmost importance in ensuring that it remains so. The General Picture 2. This has been another busy year. I would like to pay tribute to the commitment and dedication of my fellow trustees and members of the committee of management some of whom are involved daily with administration and decisions. To them I and we in the local community owe an enormous debt of gratitude to them for their voluntary and uncomplaining work. In no order of precedence:- - Inez Bushnell, for managing the bookings and collecting the fees; - Ray Randall, for repairs, maintenance and improvements and crisis management; - John Churchley, our Treasurer, for his daily management of the finances; - Bridget Culley, for her supervision of health and safety and for her experience and wise counsel; - Karen Croft, our secretary; - Peter Tracey who has brought a new perspective to our affairs and is leading the kitchen refurbishment project; - Michael Widén, my Vice-Chairman, who is always on hand to deal with matters small and large and, in particular, is responsible for all licensing matters. To all, and to each, of them: Thank You. In addition: our grateful thanks to our Hon Auditor, Tim Macnamara, who has, once again, passed our accounts but is unable to be present tonight. Since our last AGM the Management Committee met for 4 regular meetings. In addition there is frequent and regular e-mail traffic amongst committee members and trustees about daily decisions which need to be taken. 3. It is hoped that the committee of management will remain willing to serve so that the existing administration can continue. But we always need, and welcome, interest from anyone wishing to help and anyone who has particular skills or experience which may be of benefit. New members are always welcome on the committee. 4. This year we have had the benefit of service from Peter Tracey, as a new trustee to replace Jean Hirst. Jean was one of the original trustees from when the new Scheme was approved in 1997. The trustees have presented Jean with an engraved vase to mark her long service as a trustee. 5. I would like to make special mention of Inez Bushnell. The trustees unanimously nominated Inez to receive a Long Service Award from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. I accompanied Inez to the Celebrating Volunteers party given by the Borough Council in the War Memorial Park gardens next to the Civic Offices on 2nd August 2007. She was one of a select few who were presented with her award by the Mayor, Cllr Warwick Lovegrove. She was typically modest and self-effacing in acknowledging the real service which she has given to us. 6. A number of issues have arisen during the course of the year for the trustees and the Management Committee. There is the constant concern about bringing in sufficient income, without making hire charges exorbitant, and the increasing concern about maintaining, and where possible, improving the fabric and facilities of the Village Centre. The one single aspect which causes us the greatest concern is the Clubroom and what it can, and should be, used for. 7. The Village Centre is a registered charity, established by a trust deed in 1952. The objectives of the charity are as follows: "... the provision and maintenance of a village hall for the use of the inhabitants of the Parish of St. Mary Bourne and its immediate vicinity, without distinction of political, religious or other opinions, including use for meetings, lectures and classes, and for other forms of recreation and leisure-time occupation, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants." It follows from this that the Village Centre is not a business and does not exist to make a profit. Its income is applied exclusively to covering its costs and to its maintenance and improvement. Finances 7. The picture for the year ending 31.12.07 is reasonably steady. Income is down (and that is attributable mainly to the loss of the Playgroup). So, partly for the same reason, is expenditure. We were only able to break about even (with a small deficit). Nevertheless the substantial cost of re-sanding and varnishing the main floor, and repairing the Clubroom floor, were achieved out of income without the need to use capital reserves. The balance sheet is equally down a little. We need to be prudent and careful but we are stable. 8. The Treasurer has full details of the figures. Bookings 9. Lettings have been generally steady but the loss of the Playgroup has been felt. It is probably unrealistic to rely on more, or new, regular users but a few substantial 'one-off' hirers (e.g. for weddings, dances and the like) could make a significant difference. 10. The introduction of some increases in charges has been accepted. Anecdotal evidence suggests that charges are extremely reasonable for the quality of facilities which the Village Centre offers. 11. We need to remain vigilant about our charges. The Hon Auditor said, at last year's AGM, that we ought to aim to make a modest profit each year. Of course we have reserves but, he said, they ought to be drawn on slowly and prudently. We have been discussing levying a modest annual charge for storage of items and equipment. Views on this are welcome. 12. There is a revised version of Guidance to Hirers which is available and which hirers should be familiar with. Repairs & Maintenance 13. Here, as always, the expenditure has been concentrated. The main hall is now 15 years old and, inevitably, requires regular expenditure on up-keep and improvement. This year we have attended to a number of things, including replacing some of the curtains and re-sanding and re-varnishing the floor of the main hall, including the entrance. We believe that the premises are in good shape and we were pleased during a recent visit by Michael Fowler, the architect of the main hall, to hear his view that the Village Centre was maintained in a very good and clean condition. Credit for that goes to Ray Randall but it is also a tribute to the care and respect shown by hirers. 14. We are actively working on a kitchen refurbishment project through a dedicated sub-committee. This will be a major and very costly project. The sub-committee is examining the possibility of extending the building itself to accommodate a larger, improved, kitchen. Any suggestions, wishes or criticisms are very welcome. 15. The clubroom is a continuing source of concern. It is believed to be a listed building. The damp problem at the east end seems to have been cured but damp problems beneath the floor near the kitchen recurred. Some £1,500 was spent on dealing with this. The work was carried out by Ray Randall, with the help of John Rampton. It involved stripping back the existing floor and replacing the rotted battens beneath. The problem should now be solved. 16. I would like to mention an act of generosity to the Village Centre by Olga Hirst. We purchased a set of 18 new chairs fro the Clubroom from Hirst's Yard and Olga generously donated a further 12 chairs. We are most grateful. Cultural Activities 17. We have had a good year. Priors Players staged their popular show, Mid-Life Crisis, in February 2007. 18. We have had a visit by Forest Forge Theatre Company who staged The Gamekeeper on 10th March 2007. And, as a new venture, we had the Big State Theatre Company who staged, the somewhat avant garde, Fallen Angels in October. Ticket sales were not sufficient to cover the costs but we made up the loss on bar sales. These productions were of high quality but were not well attended. That seems a shame but is, perhaps, an indication of what appeals to the community and what does not. 19. Thanks are due to Michael Widén with the Moviola film screenings which have continued to be a great success this year. All were recently released, and popular, films. The convenience of the Village Centre, with a bar, and low, low seat prices has been a hit. We made £727 from ticket and bar takings in 2007. We intend to continue The Film as long as there continues to be the current level of demand. We need to sell 60 or more tickets each time to make it worthwhile. Licenses 20. The new regime is a great benefit for the Village Centre and hirers alike since it is less bureaucratic than the former pre-Licensing Act 2003 arrangements. But it is of the utmost importance that hirers who do wish to dispense alcohol, whether for profit or not, must notify the Bookings Secretary on booking and must sign the appropriate form. 21. Michael Widén, as Designated Premises Supervisor, can give further details. The Future 22. This year shows signs of being as active and busy as the last. 23. Finally do not overlook our website where you will find all (or nearly all) you need to know: www.communigate.co.uk/hants/stmarybournevillagecentre 24. Finally - thanks to our hirers and users and to all those who have taken the trouble to attend our AGM. John Dixon Chairman of the trustees Vice-Chairman: Michael Widén (Trustee) Finance Controller: John Churchley (Trustee) Trustees: Bridget Culley, Peter Tracey __________________________________________________ Volunteers celebrate success Volunteers from across the borough were thanked for giving their time to do things for others in the community on Thursday 2nd August 2007 in the War Memorial Park, Basingstoke. The Village Centre Management Committee had nominated Inez Bushnell, Bookings Secretary for over 10 years, to receive an award. The event, which is organised by Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council in partnership with the Basingstoke & Deane Community Forum, saw over 150 people who are involved with community centres and village hall committees celebrate volunteering. Accompanied by Village Centre Chairman John Dixon, Inez received the 'Long Service Award' presented to her by the Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane Cllr Warwick Lovegrove. The party that followed aimed to acknowledge the many volunteers who donate their time, effort and skills to help others enjoy community facilities locally. ______________________________________________ Last updated: 16 November 2008