BURLEY IN WHARFEDALE COMMUNITY TRUST
Present
Harvey Bosomworth (HB);John Grimshaw(JG); John Gundry(JG); Mike Harris(MH); John Horton(JH); Bill Howson(BH); Barbara Montford(BM); Clive Myatt(CM); Tom Sumner(TS); Sylvia Tilford(ST)
In the chair:
Bruce Speed (BS)
BS warmly welcomed the three new members to the Committee, Andrew Wriglesworth was also willing to join the Committee but was unable to attend this month.
1. Apologies for absence:
John Sparshatt(JS); Jed Smith(JS); Judith Ullock(JU)
2. Minutes of the last meeting held on 22nd April
These were accepted as a correct record and were signed
3. Matters arising not covered elsewhere on the agenda
BS reported:
Progress with the third application for Burley House Field would be reported in the BCC meeting to follow. Installation of new lighting columns has begun.
An invoice for the work on the Round House must be submitted to Zurich Municipal this month as the matter of the claim is now urgent.
Item 7: 100 Club. Ten members have not yet renewed and were reminded by letter on 6th June. Their numbers were included in the June draw so they have until 19th July to pay.
4. Correspondence
There had been no correspondence
5. Treasurer's report
CM circulated a summary of accounts for the period 20/09/07 to 22/06/2008 and drew attention to the main items of income and expenditure. Major income items were 100 Club subscriptions, Christmas Lights Appeal Scalebor Pavilion rents and Trust subscriptions. Major items of expenditure were the Christmas Lights, 100 Club prizes, Round House repairs (covered by Insurance) and Insurance. Over the period income exceeded expenditure by £799.25. Specifically, the Christmas Lights balance stands at £1139.41. The suggestion was made that insurance costs be reported differently in accounts summaries. The costs apply to all activities not simply to the Roundhouse.
TS explained the needs for financial support for the Christmas Lights for this year. With the replacement of lighting columns in the village there are now only 14 heavy duty ones that can be used for the features currently held. It is hoped to be able to use some very light features on some of the other columns. This will require expenditure. Efforts will be made to sell features than can no longer be used. Expenditure is required on repairs of features and on new bulbs as stocks are now very low. It was agreed that TS would provide an estimate of costs for the Christmas Lights for this year by the following day. BS would write to the Parish Council in time for the July meeting on July 10th requesting a financial contribution towards the costs.
6. Website report
MH reported. Thanks were extended to Steve King for standing in during Malcolm Fisher's absence. Over two years there had been a 50% increase in hits on the site. The village diary on the site was still underutilised. Village organisations were urged to use the diary. Once the new Burley handbook is published the information pages would be on the site and updated as required.
7. Duck Race
Tom Sumner reported that the event had again been very successful. There had been a very big turn out of people. The weather in Burley had been better than in surrounding places and teas and sports on the green were able to go ahead. After all expenses, including £450 to the Scouts and Guides for the tickets they had sold, there was a balance from the event of £1360. Many thanks were expressed to Tom Sumner for all the work he had put into making the event successful and also to those who had helped on the day. Thanks were also extended to the Scouts and Guides for the teas on the green which raised £400 and to Mark Selby and others who organised the races. It was a most enjoyable afternoon.
8. Scalebor sports facilities
There has been no progress with proposals to improve pitch drainage. A report from the Greenbelt Company says that they have had no response from David Wilson Homes and, with the parlous state of the housing market, only maintenance funds are allocated this year. Concerns were expressed that if the pitches become unplayable the football club might need to withdraw. The question was raised about whether play could be restricted to the drier part of the green. As the club needs to have two pitches side to side the full playing area needs to be available. As BWCT does not own the green it would not be appropriate for it to take responsibility for ground improvements. An estimate of costs of improvement needs, however, to be sought. BMDC Parks and Landscapes will be asked to have a look at the situation and advise.
9. Pond on Cornmill Lane
The facility was opened to the public on June 15th for visitors to the Duck Race, with cooperation from Mr and Mrs Carruthers who were on hand during the afternoon. BS thanked them for presenting the area in a neat and tidy state. Mr Carruthers intends to extend the gravel area to reduce the weeds, improve appearance and simplify maintenance. JH asked if there had been any progress with marking the boundary within the pond area. He offered to liaise with Steve Carruthers on the siting of the stones. BS to provide JH with a plan.
10. The Round House
Pauline Beeton continues to run a small coffee morning twice each week, which covers the cost of materials but makes a minimal contribution to other charges.
Although it was confirmed last November that we lease the building at a subsidised rate, the transfer from BCC to BWCT has not yet been confirmed.
11. Pudding Tree Garden
The Committee is very grateful to David Parr who has repaired and made safe stone work at the gateway, and will charge only for the special materials. BS has poisoned the ivy stumps but there must be routine inspection to ensure it does not re-grow. David has also agreed to repair approximately 12 feet of the external wall that abuts the bridge parapet that he recently rebuilt.
Burley Gardeners has provided four hanging baskets and planted the central column at the seat in the garden, providing a splendid display in this refurbished area. The planting round the base of the Pudding Tree now looks very poor and should be replaced with something attractive and low maintenance.
12. Jennings Bequest
We need to draw up a plan for the work we wish to do in the area near to Jake Wright's and Sun Lane. TS will draw up a costed plan by September. The flower bed in front of Jake Wright's is managed by BMDC Highways but has looked neglected over the last two years. The offer from Burley Gardeners to look after this bed was welcomed. Highways would need to be informed via the Parish Council. ST to action.
13. Any other business
Coffee Mornings. The June coffee morning was cancelled to let the Festival Week organisers have the date. The next one, therefore, will be on July 19th. There is no charitable group booked and so any funds raised will go to BWCT. BS and BH will be on duty. Contributions for sale on the table are requested from members - bric a brac and cakes etc. BS will circulate a new rota for coffee mornings.
Jennings Bequest. A report of what has been done this year and our plans for the coming 12 months will be needed before further funds can be obtained.
Old railway line footpath JS has asked the Committee to find out where the application to officially adopt the former track bed is in BMDC's schedule as it is some time since this was submitted. Peter Jenkins(PJ) is in contact with BMDC concerning all footpaths and rights of way in the area and will include a follow up on this proposal.
New greetings cards. BS was asked by Philip Knaggs, Burley Art Club, to select three (from six) of their members' pictures to be turned into greetings cards for sale at coffee mornings and elsewhere in the village, the surplus funds to be given to the Trust. These cards will replace those currently on sale but which are hardly moving even at half price. The Committee needed to decide what to do with the old ones. The possibility that they could be sold in Open Door was suggested. ST to inquire.
Noticeboards. A noticeboard has been refurbished and modified so that it can be installed at West End car park. The vandalised map near the village green bus stop has been refurbished and installed with an up to date map. Fair Trade: in the light of Burley being recognised as a Fair Trade village it was agreed that BWCT would ensure that tea and coffee and, if possible, biscuits used at coffee mornings would always be fair trade. In general this had been the case for tea and coffee. ST offered to organise supplies.
Date of the next meeting:
Tuesday September 9th at 7.30 in the Round House
The meeting closed at 8.50pm
Sylvia Tilford, Hon Secretary