Brook Farm Residents Association

Neil Thomson, Frank McGowan, Terry Barrow, Ian Tickle, Lorraine & Andy Rodway and Brenda Gibberd.

Received from Barry Jones and Alison & Kurt Norman.

Ken Howe joined the first part of the meeting. He has recently attended a BOSS meeting to discuss their plans for the children’s event at Christmas.  We were already aware that BOSS were seeking help with this event as this was discussed at an earlier meeting. Ken has volunteered to run the event and has already organised the marquee for Father Christmas, the lady with the donkey,  the steam train, the candyfloss stall, the roundabout and the crooked house. Thora from the Community Police also attended the BOSS meeting and is organising the closure of the road from 2.30 to 9pm on Friday, 4^th December. Ken will need about 5 Marshalls to direct traffic to the 4 designated parking areas.

The meeting decided that any help should be on an individual voluntary basis and any willing helpers should liaise direct with Ken. BFRA  are prepared to lend some equipment including the PA system.

There is another BOSS meeting on 1^st September, which Ken plans to attend and he will keep us informed of what is happening.

Frank circulated the Financial Report for August 2009. He advised that the current account stands at £670 to which should be added £103 petty cash and £100 bar float. This, together with the cheque received from The White Hart for the keg of lager brings the total to £958.92. This figure includes membership renewal subscriptions received to date.

This means that we have adequate funds for the two events in October, Children’s Halloween and the Music Night.

Lorraine mentioned that the Hubbards Close/Bright Close street party are prepared to buy the surplus burgers and sausages left over from the Fun Day as well as the remaining beer.  Neil undertook to e-mail Barry and Tracy about this. He will also ask Tracy is she is able and willing to organise the bar for the Music Night and arrange for staffing.

Frank will contact Adnams again to establish what we are being charged per barrel for beer and lager as it appears we are now paying in excess of £100 per barrel. We understood initially that we would get preferential prices.

The meeting agreed that in future we should ask for a donation from any profit-making organisations who borrow our equipment to cover wear and tear, storage etc.

It was also agreed that when we place our order for beer for the Music Night in October, we order only one barrel and purchase the rest in bottles with a longer shelf life.

NT

FM

5.1

Terry reminded the meeting that he is  definitely not prepared to organise the Fun Day for 2010.  If we do not find anyone else to take this on by November 2009, it will be too late and we will have to consider an alternative event. Perhaps something along the lines of a barbecue party with music.

Children’s Halloween event and Music Night – 31^st October 2009.

Neil and Debbie have the Children’s Halloween in hand and plans are well advanced for the Music Night. Terry will send details of both to the Community News and the Town Telegraph. Brenda will draft a design for posters and, once approved, Ian has agreed to produce these together with flyers for door to door distribution. Terry will e-mail Brenda with details and/or picture of the Ed Zachary band.

TB

BG

IT

Ian reported that so far they have collected 170 membership renewals totalling £510.   Phil Peeling has been on holiday for three weeks but once he has completed his collections we should have a total membership of around 250, which represents £750. Although this is down on last year it is felt this is not too bad in the present economic climate and we have to expect a certain amount of apathy.

7.1

7.2

7.3

Ian has been approached by Laura of 78 Brook Farm Road who has complaints about the parking and the speeding vehicles in Brook Farm Road.  She has collected some signatures on a petition and wanted to know of BFRA have any suggestions as to how to proceed. Thora has been informed and has promised to investigate the problem.  Terry suggested Laura should send an e-mail to daye.goddard@ suffolk.pnn.police.uk to explain what they see as the problem and to ask what they should do next.

Brenda advised the meeting she has received an invitation from Suffolk Acre  inviting us to their AGM with 2-course buffet supper.  As no-one is available to attend she will send our apologies.

Terry reminded the meeting that we still have not yet established whether we should be rewarding the caretaker at the Market Hall directly for cleaning up after our events or whether the cost of cleaning is to be added to the hire charge for the hall.  Alan, the caretaker, seems to think we should send £50 to the market hall. However Neil will clarify this by sending an e-mail to Maddie to ask the question formally.

In the meantime it was felt we should consider alternative venues such as the Middle School which has ideal accommodation, more room for the bar and better parking facilities.

BG

Wednesday 22^nd September 2009, 8pm at The Bell.