Launceston & District Twinning Association
Minutes of the Annual General held on Tuesday, 15th November 2016
At Trethorne Leisure Centre at 7:00pm
Attendees and Apologies
There were 29 attendees and 23 apologies, including Brian Hogan, our Town Council representative.
Minutes of the AGM held on 18th November 2015
Having been circulated just after the meeting, and again just before this meeting, the minutes were taken as accepted by Colin Geal and seconded by Lizzy Browning.
Matters arising from the minutes: There were none.
Chair’s Report
This has been our first year for bi-annual visits and I think everyone would agree with me that our week-end in April went very well. We had record numbers arriving from Plestin, necessitating a double decker bus and maximum numbers in the Town Hall.
I did fear that the change would diminish numbers but the demand from Plestin for families and couples has been, and still is, amazing.
There has been less pressure for social events, but, in spite of the inclement weather, some people managed a walk at Rough Tor to see the starlings and also at Summerleaze, when the strong winds changed a BBQ into fish and chips! We thank Jenny Worth for organising these walks.
We’ve had several film evenings which have been very enjoyable. Carolyn Burch organized these and has left us with a list in her absence. She has stepped down from the committee but I would like to thank her for all her support as Vice Chair and wish her and Richard happy travels in their retirement.
Issy Thorns laid the wreath again this year at the Remembrance Day Ceremony. She was good company for Jenny Birkett and I and we thank her for participating again.
This is the first year that we have had to decide on a date for our visit to Plestin before the AGM. There are several reasons why we had to book early – there are fewer ferries, the dates we wanted weren’t available and some were even booked for next September! Of course, as we need many spaces, we have already booked 2 bus spaces so there is enough room for everyone. More details will be given later.
A huge ‘Thank You’ goes to Jenny Worth, who, when she found an available date, immediately phoned Bruno Philipé, the French Chair, asking if the weekend was OK. Bruno replied that that weekend would be OK, so Jenny immediately booked the coaches and the ferry.
Big thanks to Jenny Worth for all her hard work.
I would also like to finish by saying a big thank you to George and Patty for keeping us all so well informed.
Thanks to Jenny Birkett as Secretary and Jean Mansell as Treasurer and for all the members of the committee for their unfailing support. Thank You.
Treasurer’s Report
The accounts for the year ending 30th September, 2016, certified by the Independent Examiner, A.M. Farr, were handed out to everyone. Jean then pointed out that the current balance was £2000 less than last year due to the expenses incurred during this year’s French visit. Also, when we go to France the children are subsidised and with more children now it will be quite an expense for the Twinning.
So we will have to do a bit more fund-raising than we thought. Our total fundraising during the last year was £390 being £200 from the coffee morning, £100 from film evenings and £90 from the Wine and Wisdom evenings. The Wine and Wisdom evenings are not continuing because of the lack of support by many of the twinners. We would also appreciate more support by twinners when we have social events, especially making cakes for the coffee morning.
Secretary’s report, 2016
Pretty much the same as last year, except, can you believe that with 21 new members -15 adults and 6 children - we now have 81 members with 23 children!! This leads me to remind you about letting me, and George & Patty, know if you change your address, phone number, or email address. We still seem to be having a few problems with emails and with such big numbers it’s more and more difficult to keep track of any changes. Last year we did ask people to reply once they had an email from me or George, but I’m not sure people are doing this, so please don’t forget.
On Sunday the 13th November, Jill and John Whitechurch and myself attended the Remembrance Parade in the town square, and a wreath was laid as last year by Issy Thorns on behalf of the Launceston and Plestin Twinning Association – thanks to Issy.
Big ‘thank you’ to George and Patty Taylor for all the work they do sending out the Packet – since the last AGM 16 issues have been produced and the majority are circulated by email – another reason for keeping us up-to-date with any changes. They also keep our website up-to-date which attracts an average of around 200 visits each month, with peaks just before and just after major activities and also after the Packet is published.
Since the summer, twinners are now able to find us on facebook – thanks to Tamsin Worth – and this is proving very useful for reminders and sharing information.
As very few members attended the meeting this year, Jenny B. asked if we should think about changing the date of the meeting – is Tuesday difficult for many people? After some discussion it was decided that as lots of people have things on most evenings, we would just carry on with Tuesday.
Election of Officers
George mentioned that as he was the only man on the committee, it would be good to have a few more. Jason Thorns said he would be willing to come onto the committee so he was then nominated by Martin Vivian, seconded by Angela Pethick, and elected.
Jean Mansell agreed to be Jill’s Vice-Chair, this was seconded by Jenny Worth.
Jenny Birkett, who has been the secretary for 8 years, would like someone more ‘au fait’ with emails, etc. to take over. Jenny will do one more year, then step down as Secretary, but is willing to stay on the committee. Jill would also like to step down as Chairman next year but will also stay on the committee.
Details regarding our visit to Plestin next year.
We will be going to Plestin on 30th March 2017 and returning on 3rd April.
Jenny Worth has done all the work with Brittany Ferries and Tilley’s Coaches. As the French children will be at school on the Friday, Bruno said that we could have a day on our own – more details about what we can do will also be given after our next committee meeting.
Jenny Worth also said that she has a list of 8 French families who want to ‘twin’, so all twinners will be asked in the Packet if they know of anyone who wants to host.
More details will be given after our next committee meeting.
Suggestions about fund-raising and/or social events
We will be having a ‘Call My Bluff’ evening on 10th February 2017 – more details later.
Patty is planning another Murder Mystery in March and asked if anyone wanted to join – several people offered to do so and we think that lots of other people, including children would like to join too – more details later.
Lots of other suggestions were brought up:
A kids movie night – a bit like our French film night, was suggested – the possibility will be investigated.
Jason and Tamsin will think about a children’s fund-raising get-together – one option could be a Beetle Drive. Another suggestion was a pool party or Bingo in French.
Another suggestion to include children was that some families with kids could organise something just for them. What a good idea!
John Whitechurch suggested a BBQ at their place.
Another suggestion was a plant sale in April/May which could be incorporated with a table-top sale.
It was also suggested that we could use people’s houses for some functions rather than hiring a room. Jason said that Maunders had a room for functions – Jill Whitechurch will go and look into it.
Lizzie Browning made the suggestion that twinners other than those on the committee could be asked to organise fund-raising events.
Lucy suggested that we could put something on at the Carnival – it may not make any money, but would make people aware of Launceston Twinning.
All these suggestions will be discussed at the next committee meetings and information will be sent out in the Packet.
Any Other Business
It was reported that life-member Stan Mincher who was the 1st Treasurer of the Twinning Association, has received the Legion d’Honneur in recognition of his services during the Second World War.
It was agreed that something will be put in the Packet and that a card will be sent to him.
Jenny Birkett
18.11.2016
Minutes of the Annual General held on Tuesday, 15th November 2016
At Trethorne Leisure Centre at 7:00pm
Attendees and Apologies
There were 29 attendees and 23 apologies, including Brian Hogan, our Town Council representative.
Minutes of the AGM held on 18th November 2015
Having been circulated just after the meeting, and again just before this meeting, the minutes were taken as accepted by Colin Geal and seconded by Lizzy Browning.
Matters arising from the minutes: There were none.
Chair’s Report
This has been our first year for bi-annual visits and I think everyone would agree with me that our week-end in April went very well. We had record numbers arriving from Plestin, necessitating a double decker bus and maximum numbers in the Town Hall.
I did fear that the change would diminish numbers but the demand from Plestin for families and couples has been, and still is, amazing.
There has been less pressure for social events, but, in spite of the inclement weather, some people managed a walk at Rough Tor to see the starlings and also at Summerleaze, when the strong winds changed a BBQ into fish and chips! We thank Jenny Worth for organising these walks.
We’ve had several film evenings which have been very enjoyable. Carolyn Burch organized these and has left us with a list in her absence. She has stepped down from the committee but I would like to thank her for all her support as Vice Chair and wish her and Richard happy travels in their retirement.
Issy Thorns laid the wreath again this year at the Remembrance Day Ceremony. She was good company for Jenny Birkett and I and we thank her for participating again.
This is the first year that we have had to decide on a date for our visit to Plestin before the AGM. There are several reasons why we had to book early – there are fewer ferries, the dates we wanted weren’t available and some were even booked for next September! Of course, as we need many spaces, we have already booked 2 bus spaces so there is enough room for everyone. More details will be given later.
A huge ‘Thank You’ goes to Jenny Worth, who, when she found an available date, immediately phoned Bruno Philipé, the French Chair, asking if the weekend was OK. Bruno replied that that weekend would be OK, so Jenny immediately booked the coaches and the ferry.
Big thanks to Jenny Worth for all her hard work.
I would also like to finish by saying a big thank you to George and Patty for keeping us all so well informed.
Thanks to Jenny Birkett as Secretary and Jean Mansell as Treasurer and for all the members of the committee for their unfailing support. Thank You.
Treasurer’s Report
The accounts for the year ending 30th September, 2016, certified by the Independent Examiner, A.M. Farr, were handed out to everyone. Jean then pointed out that the current balance was £2000 less than last year due to the expenses incurred during this year’s French visit. Also, when we go to France the children are subsidised and with more children now it will be quite an expense for the Twinning.
So we will have to do a bit more fund-raising than we thought. Our total fundraising during the last year was £390 being £200 from the coffee morning, £100 from film evenings and £90 from the Wine and Wisdom evenings. The Wine and Wisdom evenings are not continuing because of the lack of support by many of the twinners. We would also appreciate more support by twinners when we have social events, especially making cakes for the coffee morning.
Secretary’s report, 2016
Pretty much the same as last year, except, can you believe that with 21 new members -15 adults and 6 children - we now have 81 members with 23 children!! This leads me to remind you about letting me, and George & Patty, know if you change your address, phone number, or email address. We still seem to be having a few problems with emails and with such big numbers it’s more and more difficult to keep track of any changes. Last year we did ask people to reply once they had an email from me or George, but I’m not sure people are doing this, so please don’t forget.
On Sunday the 13th November, Jill and John Whitechurch and myself attended the Remembrance Parade in the town square, and a wreath was laid as last year by Issy Thorns on behalf of the Launceston and Plestin Twinning Association – thanks to Issy.
Big ‘thank you’ to George and Patty Taylor for all the work they do sending out the Packet – since the last AGM 16 issues have been produced and the majority are circulated by email – another reason for keeping us up-to-date with any changes. They also keep our website up-to-date which attracts an average of around 200 visits each month, with peaks just before and just after major activities and also after the Packet is published.
Since the summer, twinners are now able to find us on facebook – thanks to Tamsin Worth – and this is proving very useful for reminders and sharing information.
As very few members attended the meeting this year, Jenny B. asked if we should think about changing the date of the meeting – is Tuesday difficult for many people? After some discussion it was decided that as lots of people have things on most evenings, we would just carry on with Tuesday.
Election of Officers
George mentioned that as he was the only man on the committee, it would be good to have a few more. Jason Thorns said he would be willing to come onto the committee so he was then nominated by Martin Vivian, seconded by Angela Pethick, and elected.
Jean Mansell agreed to be Jill’s Vice-Chair, this was seconded by Jenny Worth.
Jenny Birkett, who has been the secretary for 8 years, would like someone more ‘au fait’ with emails, etc. to take over. Jenny will do one more year, then step down as Secretary, but is willing to stay on the committee. Jill would also like to step down as Chairman next year but will also stay on the committee.
Details regarding our visit to Plestin next year.
We will be going to Plestin on 30th March 2017 and returning on 3rd April.
Jenny Worth has done all the work with Brittany Ferries and Tilley’s Coaches. As the French children will be at school on the Friday, Bruno said that we could have a day on our own – more details about what we can do will also be given after our next committee meeting.
Jenny Worth also said that she has a list of 8 French families who want to ‘twin’, so all twinners will be asked in the Packet if they know of anyone who wants to host.
More details will be given after our next committee meeting.
Suggestions about fund-raising and/or social events
We will be having a ‘Call My Bluff’ evening on 10th February 2017 – more details later.
Patty is planning another Murder Mystery in March and asked if anyone wanted to join – several people offered to do so and we think that lots of other people, including children would like to join too – more details later.
Lots of other suggestions were brought up:
A kids movie night – a bit like our French film night, was suggested – the possibility will be investigated.
Jason and Tamsin will think about a children’s fund-raising get-together – one option could be a Beetle Drive. Another suggestion was a pool party or Bingo in French.
Another suggestion to include children was that some families with kids could organise something just for them. What a good idea!
John Whitechurch suggested a BBQ at their place.
Another suggestion was a plant sale in April/May which could be incorporated with a table-top sale.
It was also suggested that we could use people’s houses for some functions rather than hiring a room. Jason said that Maunders had a room for functions – Jill Whitechurch will go and look into it.
Lizzie Browning made the suggestion that twinners other than those on the committee could be asked to organise fund-raising events.
Lucy suggested that we could put something on at the Carnival – it may not make any money, but would make people aware of Launceston Twinning.
All these suggestions will be discussed at the next committee meetings and information will be sent out in the Packet.
Any Other Business
It was reported that life-member Stan Mincher who was the 1st Treasurer of the Twinning Association, has received the Legion d’Honneur in recognition of his services during the Second World War.
It was agreed that something will be put in the Packet and that a card will be sent to him.
Jenny Birkett
18.11.2016