Brook Farm Residents Association

Barry Jones, Neil Thomson, Ian Tickle, Lorraine Rodway, Alison Norman and Brenda Gibberd.

Apologies received from Frank McGowan, Terry Barrow, Kurt Norman and Andy Rodway.

Although unable to be present at the meeting, Frank had today e-mailed a financial report to the committee. This shows a bank balance of £734.61 to which we can add £18 in membership contributions, passed to Brenda by Ian.  £85 for the keg of beer owing by the White Hart has also been included in the total and Barry handed Brenda the cheque.

We will need a cheque for £95 payable to Del Lloydo for the karaoke at the children’s Halloween and £500 cash to pay for the Ed Zachary Band at the Music Night so it is essential we promote the Music Night well to ensure we are in funds. We will also have the cost of beer etc and the bar staff. Barry said he has already had a number of enquiries about tickets for the Music Night and Terry has also put up posters for both events.

FM

Barry reported this is progressing well and will include the Christmas lights; Father Christmas and several stalls.  The road will be closed from 5pm. It will take place on Friday 4^th December,  with the  Music Night on Saturday and the Italian Market all day on the Sunday.  Barry will keep us informed as to progress.

BJ

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Terry was not able to be present at the meeting, but he had spoken to both Neil and Brenda indicating he was disappointed that some people are not accepting responsibility for certain jobs they have undertaken to do.  The committee sympathise with Terry’s feelings

but could not envisage any real problems and Barry will give Terry a call to discuss.

Summer 2010

There was a brief discussion about the Summer event next year. As previously discussed it is felt that the Fun Day should take on a new format next time but should continue to have a bar, children’s games, a BBQ, music and maybe one or two other features. It was suggested that we consider the Memorial Field as an alternative venue, which should be free of charge. This is further away from properties and less likely to cause noise nuisance. Barry undertook to investigate this suggestion. Both Barry and Neil also indicated they would lend their assistance.

Children’s Halloween

Terry has booked the karaoke man and Frank will need to provide £140 to pay him. Neil said he will find out whether this is to be in the form of a cheque or cash.  Neil still has sweets and drinks over, which are still within their sell-by date but may need to purchase  a few more together with some decorations and a few prizes.  The following are all available to help on the day: Ian Tickle, Alison Norman, Debbie, Hayley and Holly Thomson and, possibly, Amy English.

Music Night

Barry will man the door. Ian will provide the tickets (200) along with the flyers. (177 tickets were sold last year). He is currently on jury service but if he gets a break to go back to his office he will do them then, otherwise we may have to wait up to 2 weeks. Entrance fee is at £3 per person, doors open at 8pm and the music will start at 9pm.  The event is for adults only, as stated on the web site.

Tracy will order the beer (4 barrels) and will help set up the bar. 3 bar staff have been organised at £10 per hour each and it was suggested that the bar staff be told they will be expected to help clear up at the end of the evening.

We  need to make contact with Meadow Brook Play Group to establish if they are still wishing to run a raffle at the event.

Barry clarified the problem concerning the cleaning up of the market hall following our events and the proposed charge of £50.  Apparently, the caretaker had pointed out that the market hall may have to impose an additional cleaning charge to fund the cleaning following our events.  The caretaker was understandably upset because he had been promised a bottle of something for his trouble at our last function and this did not materialise.  Barry suggested we purchase a bottle of whisky and 2 bottles of red wine which would be given to the caretaker by way of an apology. At that time Barry will make him aware that he is not in a position to make any similar requests for money in the future. As he is going to the cash and carry shortly for Halloween items, Neil said he would purchase these drink items.

BJ

BJ

BJ/NT

NT/FM

BJ

IT

TM

?

BJ

NT

Ian reported that the  results have been a little disappointing. It appears that there was a misunderstanding with certain Road Reps which has resulted in a couple of loyal supporters no longer willing to continue to assist. The committee would like to take this opportunity to thank Phil and Pam Peeling for all their previous hard work and hope that they will chose to assist further in 2010. Certain parts of Heron Road and Gull Road have been left un-canvassed and this applies also to parts of Wordsworth Road.  So far we have 176 members, just over half what we had last year.  This prompted another lively discussion about the need and justification for membership; whether or not we should charge for entry to the summer event; and whether we should increase the entrance fees for other events. No firm decisions were made and we will need to discuss these items again in the future.

Ian said that when he has the time he will try to get round to the houses which have been missed.

IT

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Neil said he had been giving some thought to an alternative summer event for next year and had come up with the idea of a Circus – just as the Brook Farm Primary School has done the same thing!  The circus puts on a show for the children during the week and at the weekend they sell tickets to the public for an early evening show. He has investigated the cost which would be £450 or half the profits. Perhaps we could consider this for another year.

Parking in Brook Farm Road.

Neil suggested we put something on the website asking members to give their opinions as to whether any action should be taken. This could be in the form of  a questionnaire.  Barry said that it is essential that the BFRA are seen to be completely neutral in this matter and it is important that the wording of the questions be approved by all the committee prior to their inclusion on the web site or the newsletter. Neil should circulate his draft ideas to the entire committee for their views. Neil agreed to do this.

Lorraine said she has £8 for Frank for the cost of some burgers which remained after the fun day.  She will let him have this in due course.

NT

LR

Tuesday 21^st October 2009, pm at the Bell.