MINUTES OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF STRACHUR MEMORIAL HALL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND USER GROUPS, HELD ON SUNDAY 29th OCTOBER 2023 IN STRACHUR MEMORIAL HALL

 

Registered Scottish Charity no. SC024404

 

In attendance:

Executive Committee – Barbara Watson (Chair), Ian Lowe (Treasurer), Pam Hall (Bookings Officer), Ralph Peters (Vice Chair), John Conning, Dawn Owens, Ned Alexander, Sam Morgan

 

User Groups – Drew Stewart (Newsletter), Bill Dickson (Men’s Shed), Donna Jones (Knit & Natter), Jackie Scott-Mandeville (50/50 / Country Dancing / SNP), Heather Grier (The Hub), Cathie Montgomery (Local History / Smiddy Museum), Loraine Stewart (Hub/Country Dancing/History Society), Anne Fiddes (Quilters, Guild), Pennie Carter (WI), Marganne Stobo (Hub/Yoga/History Society)

 

Apologies: Alison Roy (Youth & Drama), Rosie Howie (SWI), Erin McGladdery (Village Tots), Iain Wilkie (Community Council), Bob Basford (Badminton)

 

 

Action by

1.

Introductions

Barbara welcomed everyone to the meeting & introduced the new committee members: John Conning, Dawn Owens & Ned Alexander. Also Erin McGladdery & Charlene McGreavy who weren’t able to attend. NB Sam Morgan is also joining the committee.

 

 

2.

 

3.

Minutes of the last AGM were approved.

 

Finance

IL talked through the current finances and circulated draft year to date accounts.

Although the fuel costs have risen, we are pleased to report that, after considering increasing the rate of booking charges, we will hopefully be able to maintain them at the current price, providing the users assist by reducing down the thermostat temperature before they leave (each time). Cleaning costs have remained steady and the extra cleaning due to Covid is no longer required.

 

 

4.

Bookings

PH reported that user group bookings have remained steady, along with annual events such as the Flower Show, Christmas Fayre, Tots Funday & Piping Summer School. We’ve had two weddings, lots of parties and several vaccine clinics. The Youth & Drama Show was a huge success, the Coronation Celebration went well too and it is hoped the Hall/Fergusson/Montgomery centenary party will be great too. We’re encouraging new ideas and events such as the Songs of Praise Pop-up and having HeartStart sessions from time to time.

 

 

5.

Current projects

RP outlined various updates:

 

Projector – the installation company has been re-engaged and IL explained some of the background about what was required.

 

Flooring – This was delayed due to the weather and a number of issues but the New Hall is finished and the Memorial Hall just needs the court lines re-done and finished.

 

Biomass – we’re hoping that this will be removed at some stage.

 

50/50 Club – thank you to Jackie Scott-Mandeville for taking this on and doing an excellent job.

 

Garden – the memorial garden has had some attention in recent weeks and we will continue to focus on its upkeep

 

Lighting – the lights on the ceiling of the New Hall were all replaced and are much brighter now. Other lights are all being replaced with led bulbs as and when they fail.

 

Future Projects – the committee are very happy to support any future ideas and projects that users might want to undertake.

 

 

 

6.

General Instructions

PH listed several reminders to everyone as follows:

 

Heating – remember to turn down the thermostat at the end of your meeting

Lights – turn off all the lights, especially paying attention to the toilets

Locks – lock the front door & store the key in the keysafe

Fridges – empty the fridges (unless you have a prior arrangement)

Green Room – keep it clear for access to the back door

Floors – don’t scrape them!

Reps – once the new reps are allocated, please contact them with any issue, large or small. It’s particularly helpful for us to know as we’re not there everyday.

Leave the hall as you find it please.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALL

 

7.

Near Me

The Near Me Room is up and running but hasn’t been used yet. Agreed to publicise its use as a community resource in the next newsletter. Heather said she would speak to the local practice about using it.

 

 

 

 

PH/BW/HG

8.

Sockets

A request was made for more sockets to be added in the two halls and we will discuss this with the electrician (hopefully to be in conjunction with the projector installation).

 

 

 

IL

9.

Re-decoration

A question was raised about having the halls re-decorated, following the floors being done. The committee will take this forward.

 

 

 

EXC

10.

Newsletter

Drew thanked the committee and the users for their contributions to the newsletter and in turn we all thanked him for the fantastic job that he does producing it, especially as it brings in a nice income to the hall.

 

 

11.

DONM

October 2024 – exact date will be advised nearer the time.