Horton Kirby Village Society

Minute of the Committee Meeting held at 29 Churchill Road on

Wednesday 25th May 2005

 

1.         Present: David Crowhurst, Philip Gough, Richard Costley, Steve Allport, Ken Allart, Kerry Pitcher, Graham Edwards

 

2.         Apologies: None

 

3.         Matters Arising & Chairman’s Comments:

 

3.1             Changes to the constitution were discussed and it was agreed that any changes would be advertised prior to the mid year meeting, in the newsletter.

 

3.2       David Crowhurst confirmed that Anita Cockrill had formally resigned from the committee. Those present recognised the outstanding contribution Anita had made to the society, particularly in respect of her hard work as Secretary. In submitting her resignation Anita’s referred to issues that she had become aware of through contact with villagers, although she stated these were not necessarily her views. Her comments were discussed at some length as apparently there was some concern over:

·        Why the committee considered it necessary to fund raise to the extent that it did: The committee funded a number of events for which senior citizens were either not charged or where a reduced fee was charged and fund raising was necessary to cover these events. In addition the society made donations to organisations that served the village or contributed to improvements to the quality of village life e.g. Parish Church, local Scout Group, Youth Club, environmental improvements. The committee had also, from time to time, made loans to village organisations to enable them to run special projects. It was considered that all of this was consistent with the constitution and was an appropriate use of funds. In addition the village fete, which contributes significantly to our funds, also requires a considerable initial outlay.  Consequently there exists a need to continually fund raise.

·        The direction the society was going in with regards to the type of events organised. It was felt that the current committee had not significantly altered the type of events that had been traditionally organised by previous committees. Some events were new, such as theatre productions and murder mystery evenings. All events organised by the committee had been for the benefit of the village. The committee wishes to be responsive to its members. However despite numerous appeals for ideas through newsletters, at mid year and annual general meetings no fresh practical ideas had been received.

·        Funds were used for projects outside the village. No money is used to support organisations outside the village. The societies annual general meeting is furnished with an audited set of accounts. These are open to public scrutiny and comment as is the Treasurer and committee. It is recognised that the Chairman organises many events within the village for organisations such as British Heart Foundation, and the Kiriendongo Project, but these are separate from and have nothing to do with the Village Society.

 

4.                  Secretary’s Report: Only one letter had been received from KCC containing an information pack relating to Minerals and Waste. It was agreed that the committee would respond. 

 

5.                  Treasurers Report: Current account £2,571.14

                                  Church account £3,026.04

 

6.                  Environmental Group: The group had planted wild seeds at the top of Bull Hill, Rays Hill and various hedgerows around the village. Despite best endeavours to work on the site opposite Bexley Cottages, in the Street last weekend this had not happened. A new date to be agreed and circulated. The group will have a stall at the fete and they intend to have quiz sheets for children, plans for building bat boxes, sparrow boxes and terraces, other informative handouts and plants.

 

Regular litter picking takes place and there have been volunteers for the ‘adopt a road scheme’. Eileen Saunders, Kerry Pitcher, Graham Edwards and David Crowhurst have signed up with Horton Road, School Lane and Carlton Place, Churchill Road, Rashleigh Way covered. Eileen reports that she has noticed a reduction in volume of rubbish recently. More volunteers are welcome.

 

7.                  Feedback on Events: 87 people attended the Murder Mystery event on 23rd April which again proved to be a popular evenings entertainment.

 

The village walk on the 1st May was poorly attended. However this might have been due to lack of advertising and the absence of regular walkers.

 

8.                  Future Events: Village Fayre to be held on 11th June in Westminster Field. The Fete Committee has experienced problems sourcing a marquee this year. After a general discussion it was agreed that rather than hire a tent we would buy one out of the accrued funds.

 

Village Walk for the 26th June, those interested should meet at the entrance to Westminster Field, The Street at 11am. 

 

Summer Concert to be held at St Mary’s on 2nd July. Ticket prices are £8 with concession £6. Sarah Ward has again kindly agreed to make her lawn available for those wishing to enter into the festival spirit and picnic before the event.

 

Garden Safari to be held on 8th July. The locations and the price is to be confirmed.

 

Family Outing to be held on 23rd August. No charge for a day out to Camber Sands.

 

Senior Outing to be held on 7th September. No charge for a day out to Brighton.

 

Mid year meeting scheduled for October. The entertainment had not been booked by Applause. Consequently there will be none.

 

9.            Next Newsletter: It was agreed that a newsletter would be prepared for late June with the subsequent edition scheduled for end of August.

 

10.             St Mary’s Church Update: Quotes had been received for repairs and redecoration of the Church. These had ranged from £47,000.00 to £99,000.00. The PCC was still considering these.

 

Grass Cutting was currently under funded. Donations of £15 are required to allow for the Church grounds and burial grounds to be mown on a regular basis. Global warming appears to be taking its toll with the cutting season starting earlier and ending later. Consequently the society had to again fund the shortfall.

 

Church Fete to be held on 25th June. Help will be required setting up and taking down.

 

 

11.             Any Other Business: The Scout Group needs more photographs for its calendar competition. Final judging to take place at the village fayre on 11th June.

 

Repairs to the Scout hut are now well advanced. The Scout Group Committee would now welcome the £300 donation that the committee had previously agreed to make.

 

The committee were asked to consider providing a bench on the riverbank between Westminster Field and Franks Lane. Before this is agreed the Committee would need to be satisfied that it was public land and that it could be erected before funding could be agreed. Enquiries to be made with Parish and Sevenoaks Councils.

 

Jan Ovenden, on behalf of the WI had handed Richard Costley a Yorkshire Tea ‘Trees for Life’ bursary application form. Sixteen grants, nationwide, were available subject to satisfactory completion of the application form. Consideration would be given to whether the society could sponsor a viable project.

 

The 2 fields, between Bull Hill and Rays Hill, were to be auctioned by the owners, James Collier Ferguson Trust, on 3rd June. The auction guide price for the 8 acre site had been set at £100,000.00.

 

Fairview Homes had published and circulated a document reviewing their recent consultation process for the paper mill site.

 

David Crowhurst had received a reply to a letter he had written to South East Trains regarding proposals to reduce daytime coverage of station staff at Farningham Road Station.  They explained that they had not yet submitted proposals to the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) and that formal consultation had not begun. When their proposals have been lodged with SRA consultation will then commence.

 

12.       Date of next meeting: 23rd June 8pm at 11 Rashleigh Way.