Report for our AGM held on Thursday 23rd September 2022
Our Chairman June welcomed members and guests to the meeting. Its always encouraging to see a good turnout for an AGM. June then read out a nice piece regarding the recent loss of our Queen. A sad occasion indeed. NAFAS Flower arrangement societies were honored to be asked to arrange the floral displays at Westminster Abbey for the funeral. Michael Bowyer MBE and National President and Katherine Kear MDPF and National Chairman arranged the designs at the High Alter.
Sadly, we were also told of the sudden and very sad passing of Alan Smith. Alan was well known all around the country and abroad and had been a very popular demonstrator since 1975. Rest in peace Alan, you and your jokes and anecdotes will be missed by members of the East of England Area. Wickham Market Flower Club will send a condolence card to Lee Berrill as he is in our thoughts.
Along with many other charities and clubs all our costs have increased this year and we wondered if we might fundraise for our club this year, rather that choose another charity to support. Members were asked to give this some thought.
Orders are being taken for the Flower Arranger magazine for the coming year. The cost if £15 for the year and is considerably cheaper to purchase through the club than from a shop.
Our November 24th Open Meeting tickets are available now from Sue Cotton. Please telephone 07786 942450 as these have to be pre booked and paid for before the event. The Demonstrator is to be David Thompson - “Let it Sparkle”. Tickets cost £5 for members and £10 for Non-members. There will be a Raffle, Sales Table and a Craft Stall as well as Punch and Mince Pies. It promises to be a great evening. We are happy to receive Christmas type items for the Sales table. Please telephone Mandy on 01728 748039 to discuss and arrange delivery/collection.
There is to be a workshop entitled “Christmas is Coming” following the Group AGM on 31st October in the Village Hall. 11.30am – for 12 Noon start until approximately 3pm. The cost is £15 and there is a choice of things to make. For a booking form and more information please contact lindi@carrington.eclipse.co.uk – 01394384695.
Members were also reminded to look at the Spotlight magazine – www.nafas-east.com. Lots of interesting items and notices. Well worth a look.
The committee have also decided to charge 50p for refreshments and a biscuit each month.
We also have a club member who is no longer able to drive who would love to come to our “Open Meeting” in November. If you are able to offer a lift or for more information, please contact our Chairman June on 01394 384803. Thank you.
Our President Elsie then welcomed the Wickham Market Community First Responders. These are men and women who are trained to attend certain types of emergency calls in the area they live or work. The aim is to reach a potential life-threatening emergency in the first vital minutes before the ambulance crew arrives. The role is entirely voluntary and is provided 24 hour, 365 days a year. The kit they are required to carry costs £1500.00 and is brought by themselves. We were given an excellent demonstration of how the defibrillators work. They are all remarkably easy to use with verbal and written instructions. The Wickham Market First Responders were our clubs chosen charity this year and we were delighted for Elsie to present them with a cheque for £600.
The Monthly Practice piece yearly awards were presented to:- Advanced class – Mandy Pryke 1st, and Sue Cotton 2nd and Di Catling 3rd. The Novice class was won by Janet Richardson. Congratulations to you all.
This part of the meeting was followed by tasty nibbles and refreshments.
Following this the AGM part of the meeting was begun.
The minutes of the AGM from 23rd September 2021 were proposed, seconded, and signed as a true record of the meeting. The treasurers report followed, and the accounts were accepted adopted. It was brought to the attention of members the need to be aware of the charges incurred with booking demonstrators. Flower costs have escalated as has fuel costs and there are not many local demonstrators at the moment.
June our chairman thanked everyone for all the support and help she is given at our club. We need suggestions for future events, possibly a spring Fashion Show. As June said this is our club and we need to speak up with how we want the club to be run. Ideas please. We desperately need committee members particularly someone to be a Program Secretary to arrange the 2024 program. This could be two people and they do not need to be on the committee. There will be plenty of help and advice available for the person/people taking on this role.
Proposals included the subscription being set at £27. This is what it was pre-covid. This was carried unanimously and is excellent value for 10 months of monthly meetings. The additional charges for our Open meetings will be kept as low as possible. Still awesome value for money.
Needless to say, our much-loved Chairman June, was voted to stand again. We are incredibly lucky to have June and Elsie leading our club forward into 2022 – 2023.
All other committee officers were voted on en-bloc unanimously, as was the working party and the remaining committee members.
The Raffle for a Subscription free year was won by Julie Benning. Congratulations to her. This was followed by the normal Raffle with a lovely selection of prizes.
The October meeting is on Thursday 27th – 6.30pm for 7pm start at the Village Hall (IP13 0HE) the demonstrator is Vicki Hease – “Treasured Memories (Part 2)
June thanked everyone for attending the meeting and wished all a safe journey home.
MANDY PRYKE
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