UNRATIFIED

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE WINKLEIGH SOCIETY

7.30PM ON 30TH NOVEMBER 2007 - COMMUNITY CENTRE, WINKLEIGH

Present Marjorie & John Bowers, Robin & Angela Coombes, Janet Daynes, Gordon Fraser, Philip Griffiths, Janet Hobbs, Brian Holland, Peter & Margery Howard, David & Philippa Lausen, Angela Le May, Derek & Margaret Miller, Julie Mitchell, Wendy Mondy, Peter Monkcom, Alan & Marie-Claude Mulcahy, Colin Shears, Joan & Peter Stutt, Will Wainwright

Apologies Chrissie Cole, John & Monica Cowle, Pat & Michael Downward, Ron & Mrs Eddey, Gillian Holman, Sue Monkcom, Tim Rhodes, Roger & Sylvia Smith, Steve & Pat Tong.

1.0 APPROVAL & SIGNING OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS AGM
The approval and signing of the minutes of the Annual General Meeting in November 2006 were agreed as approved and duly signed by the Chairman, David Lausen

2.0 OFFICERS' REPORTS
Chairman - David Lausen
Treasurer - Robin Coombes
Minutes Secretary - Wendy Mondy
2.1 The Chairman's report was presented and had also been circulated to members prior to the meeting.
David Lausen reported that in many ways it has been a difficult year for the Winkleigh Society. Several people who have been leading projects have had to deal with bereavement, job changes or house moves, and many members are still heavily involved in stopping the power station / waste disposal scheme (WINBEG) on Winkleigh airfield and saving the Community Centre.

Our quarterly magazine - "Distinctly Winkleigh" - continues to receive excellent comments from people throughout the parish and beyond. We now have a new team - Peter Monkcom, Tim Rhodes and Alan Mulcahy - and one of their key priorities for 2008 is to get new contributors to further widen the appeal of the magazine. Wendy Mondy produced an updated Information Directory in May and Tim and Wendy are presently redesigning the Winkleigh website - "winkleighonline" - so that it can be updated and have more facilities.

The Live Music evenings - which we run in conjunction with Beaford Arts - have been very successful. Audience numbers were up and, with particular thanks to 'devonartsculture' for its support, we have achieved a healthy surplus, which has been used not only to fund "Distinctly Winkleigh" but also to sponsor art workshops at Winkleigh Primary School.

The "House Scouts" leaders - Janet Daynes and Gordon Fisher - have worked tirelessly to expand the project and "House Scouts" is now linked up with the Archives 4 All "Explore North Devon" project. The number of images available on disk at the Community Kiosk has continued to grow and it is bulging with donated documents and objects, as more and more people are finding out about the rich history of Winkleigh.
Finally, the Footpaths Group had another successful season although the awful weather this summer did unfortunately put a dampener on some of the walks this summer.

The Winkleigh Society Committee has always been flexible with new members coming on board when there are new initiatives. Four officers are elected annually at the AGM - chairman, vice chairman, secretary and treasurer - and we would welcome "new blood". Members of the committee presently are Chrissie Cole; Robin Coombes; Janet Daynes; Philip Griffiths; David Lausen; Wendy Mondy; Peter Monkcom; Alan Mulcahy and Tim Rhodes. In 2007, the officers were - David Lausen (Chairman); Peter Monkcom (Vice-Chairman); Wendy Mondy (Secretary) and Robin Coombes (Treasurer). If you would like to stand as an officer of the Winkleigh Society or become a committee member please let me know. With all best wishes. David Lausen

2.2 The Treasurer's report was presented and circulated
Since the end of the last Financial Year, our Income has amounted to £3,962, made up as follows:

Music Night £2,794
Subscriptions £249
Distinctly Winkleigh £637
Donations £124
Bank Interest £158

Expenses for the year have totalled £2,152, comprising:

Distinctly Winkleigh £965
Civic Trust/Insurance £269
Donation to Primary School £320
House Scouts £517
Sundries £81

We therefore have an operating surplus of £1,810, due entirely to the much greater success this year of the Music Nights, which achieved a surplus of £496 for the whole of the previous year.

At the end of October, we have funds amounting to £8,611, of which £7,500 is on Bank Deposit, though it should be pointed out that of this, we hold £2,290 of unused House Scouts Grant, which will undoubtedly one day have to be refunded whence it came.

ROBIN COOMBES
26 November 2007

2.3. The Minutes Secretary stated that there was nothing specific to report

3.0 VARIOUS REPORTS
3.1 Distinctly Winkleigh
Peter Monkcom reported that since introducing advertising Distinctly Winkleigh had been going very well and will hopefully reduce the call on the Society's funds. However, contributions of all sorts would be most welcome and the team to contact are printed on the back cover of the newsletter, the next edition of which would be ready for circulation from 3rd December onwards.
3.2 Live Music
David Lausen reported that it had been a good year despite attendances being patchy - varying from sell outs to poor. This has to be expected if as wide a mixture of music and acts are booked to satisfy as many as possible. It was requested that an evening of classical music be considered, happily this was already being followed up.

3.3 House Scouts
Janet Daynes & Gordon Fisher reported that the House Scouts project funding period was due to finish at the end of February 2006, but as the project is ongoing the lottery fund are allowing us to continue using our funds as long as we keep sending in regular reports.

Explore North Devon was launched in Winkleigh last November and rekindled the interest in the archive. We now have a very small group of volunteers working on the project, some doing research and others taking photographs and uploading House Scouts data onto the website. This project has provided our archive with a laptop, printer/ scanner and a digital voice recorder and plenty of training for the volunteers.

The website is up and running but is still being tested so it doesn't always work, but it is gradually taking shape and will look good when it is finished.

We have held two exhibitions this year, one in June at the Kings Arms and the other on Fair Saturday in the Square, both were very well attended and a lot of interest was shown, some folks brought in documents and photographs for scanning

ACE Archaeology Club have played a major role in both House Scouts and Explore North Devon doing a majority of the work, unfortunately there are still very few Winkleigh folk involved in either project, although there is a lot of interest locally in heritage matters.

ACE are in the process of cataloguing the flints from Heath Hill and one of their members, Dr Judith Cannell has offered to identify them. ACE are also helping to conserve and catalogue the House Scouts Physical archive and have inked in all of the survey drawings, which are jobs that have needed doing for a long time.

I am still hoping that if Winkleigh manages to take on the ownership of the Community Centre that there will be room for the archive. If not the Winkleigh Society will have the problem of re-housing it.

House Scouts sessions at the Community Centre, every Tuesday evening in the small room from 8.15 to 10.00 pm or on Wednesday morning at the Mini market 9.00 to 10.30 am.

3.4 Footpaths
Philip de Louvois reported. He had displayed the large parish map which showed all the footpaths in the parish. The group, which had formed 7 years ago to preserve the footpaths in the parish, continued to walk them regularly. In addition other longer walks were undertaken. The social side of the group was good and took the form of the monthly meeting in the Kings Arms as well as the summer long weekend for walking on Dartmoor and the winter evening meal for the group. Due to family pressures the group numbers were a little low at present, though hopefully these will rise again shortly but new members are always most welcome.

There will be a meeting on 18th December 2007 at 10.00am in the Wembworthy Village Hall regarding the proposed footpath diversions.

Philip also mentioned the need to keep good neighbours with our farmers as the recently introduced right to roam did not give an absolute right for all to wander over farming land and required the public to respect the countryside code. The only right to roam location in the parish was located just off the A3124 going towards Dolton on the east and was an area of land called Hollocombe Moor.

3.5 Information Directory
Wendy Mondy reported that the fourth issue of the directory was published in May 2007 with financial support from Michael Weston, Winkleigh Parish Council and Wendy Mondy. I am sure you would wish the Society to pass on thanks to the Parish Council and Michael. I was able to make up the rest as a result of my Mum and Dad's estate so thanks should go to them.

The directory continues to be well used and appreciated.

It may seem strange to say that as we are all human in Winkleigh the publication of a new edition always prompts many to contact me with amendments and alterations. That is how it goes and in a way it is good that this happens, at least I get the information somehow. When I do get it sometimes I make mistakes and omissions for which I apologise. I can assure you that each time I start a new issue I promise myself that it will be perfect - however you see the result - my best effort.

This year I have tried hard to include those who have moved into the new builds in the village, including a letter from the Parish Council welcoming them and bringing to the attention of those on Elms Meadow the presence and history of Shute Lane. We are glad to assist the Parish Council when we can.

The Directory, is updated as often as possible since the last edition in May, and is published on Winkleigh's website www.winkleighonline.com so please do go there should you need more up to date information. As usual I will make a plea that you let me have any details that have changed, needing to be omitted next time and most importantly any new clubs, businesses and farms that have arrived in our parish.

The next edition will have an up to date street map of the village, with thanks to John Flower.

3.6 www.winkleighonline.com
Wendy Mondy reported that the revamp of Winkleigh's website is still being finalised and currently in the testing phase. The aim was to show you the new look and layout and hopefully the printed copy and home page display will enable you to familiarise yourselves with the current proposal which will give those of us who are willing and able to post club, business and community news for ourselves. Hopefully this will help to promote familiarity and use of the website as more and more of us become computer literate enough to find the web useful and easier to access. Internet facility is always available on Wednesday mornings at the mini-market in the Community Centre.

The new ability built in will allow the community to advertise items for exchange, sale or just to give away, as a facility to log in and control access of information for protection.

Additionally, the website will have a counter embedded in it so its use will be able to be reviewed regularly and with ease.

Last, but certainly not least, a very large thank you is owed to Tim Rhodes for his time and patience in building what will be a really professional and easy to use website, unlike my beginners efforts which you have all had to put up with for the last three years. Tim is such a valuable asset with such expertise, kindness and patience.

3.7 Distribution Lists and Distributors
Wendy Mondy reported that she had maintained and edited these lists over the last few years - not the easiest of tasks. This list contains the house names and street numbers of properties in the parish, no personal details, which enables us to deliver directly to each household in the parish. A fairly unique facility which I know is much appreciated and well used.

However, this year will see an up to date parish property list being produced by Torridge District Council which will be available to us at the beginning of December 2007. As co-operation with the relevant contact in TDC to keep the list updated noting any errors or omissions observed while working with our distributions lists, we will in return. be able to update this record at the end of 2007.

At the recent public meeting regarding the future of the Community Centre an extremely kind offer of help was made by Ian Ripper, who along with Maggie Weston his partner, has bought Wheatlands farm. As part of his experience includes managing and using data bases he has the expertise to use the appropriate software to provide us with up to date lists. So thank you in advance to Ian, who will be contacted shortly!
Thanks are due, as ever, to all those who valiantly deliver DW and WWW and also Brian Holland has kindly offered to be the distributor for new development on Elms Meadow, so we shall soon have everything up to date for future circulation of Distinctly Winkleigh and WWW Information Directory.

3.8 Fund Raising
Wendy Mondy reported that between herself and Gillian Holman they have been running a small stall at the Wednesday mini-market with bric-a-brac, etc. a quantity of which became available to us. The funds collected are being split ? / ? between the Information Directory and the Winkleigh Society generally. Our Treasurer, Robin Coombes, will have the latest figures but after four weeks it must be around £50+ in total. Every little helps.

4.0 ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Chairman - David Lausen was standing down. It was proposed that Roger Smith be put forward as chairman and this was seconded by Peter Monkcom. A vote was taken and Roger Smith was approved and duly elected.
The Vice-Chairman, Peter Monkcom, Treasurer, Robin Coombes, and Minutes Secretary, Wendy Mondy, were prepared to continue as no further proposals were received.

5.0 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
5.1 Winkleigh Youth Club
As promised in the opening paragraph of the Summer Report, we have now completed the first phase of the play area redevelopment. Further consultation and examination into possible sources of additional funding is now under way. To date we are aware of desires for something to suit the youngest age groups, equipment for "Boarding" and "Skating", and an "Aerial Runway". If you are reading this and have any ideas or can make any kind of contribution, please get in touch - it is the aim of the Youth Club to be in contact with, and involve, the local community as widely as is possible.

Our 2007 AGM took place on 29th October and it has to be recorded that the number of attendees was rather disappointing. We did advertise around the village and, with so many things happening at present, a wider input would have been good. Anyway, having got that off my chest, I can report on a busy meeting at which we were able to cover a wide variety of issues concerning the ongoing operation of the Club. Thanks go to those who were in attendance and it was particularly good to see Sandra representing the local constabulary - it is important that we maintain and build on this vital link and we all hope that operational duties will permit an increased level of attendance on Wednesday evenings.

Probably the most exciting happening in recent weeks has been our meeting with "Seize The Moment", the Hatherleigh-based art and music group, who have spent a number of Wednesday nights with us and introduced a whole new dimension to our activities. Unfortunately, their own commitments will limit their ability to be with us as regularly in the evenings, but they are intending to take a leading role in the creation of our "Art Wall" using the wall of the toilet block on the play area, which we have just received approval of funding (to buy paints etc.) from the Devon Community Foundation's "Rural Fund". Current plans are to commence this project on Sunday 2nd December and, if there is sufficient interest, we would like to make it into an "art and food" event by offering youngsters who would like an additional activity the chance to do some cooking in the kitchen whilst the artwork is going on. Whatever happens, there will be food of some kind and the day will be free! Whilst initially this must be seen as a "pilot", if it is successful and there is enough interest, we would hope to introduce regular such events with the broad aim of involving as wide a section of the community as possible - from the very young to the not so young. Yes - that could be you! How about it?

As usual we have an appeal to make. After a long period of loyal service, "Dot" has decided she will not be able to keep on with her running of the "tuck shop" in the new year. Many are indebted to her over the years and we will miss her, but this does leave a big gap in our organisation. Is there anyone, or more than one, who could help fill this gap? It can be a lot of fun and a rewarding experience - so if you think you could help, please get in touch.

Finally, a reminder, we are still recycling mobile phones. So, if you are replacing yours (Xmas perhaps), please remember we can make good use of it. Also we are still on the lookout for unwanted tools - and many thanks to those who have already helped with these items.

Phone Nos. For any of the above or Youth Club information:
Brian Holland 01837 83521
Mike Wilson 01769 520605
Correspondence Address: Brian Holland, 45 Elms Meadow, Winkleigh, Devon, EX19 8JU

5.2 CCOWS
Gordon Fisher & Janet Daynes reported that negotiations with DCC had stagnated until the publication of the Quirk report in June this year. As you know we are now one of DCC's pilot groups and as such are getting a lot of help from them as well as various consultants tasked with making the process of asset transfer much smoother.

I would like to make it clear that although Devon County Council did not pick us as partners for the Community Assets Fund (CAF), we are still part of the project and they have promised to help us find other sources of funding. The CAF of course is not to be confused with the Big Lottery's Community Buildings Fund that we applied for back in April, which we will hear more about soon.

A Public meeting was held on the 15th of October to update folk on the process and try to get more of the community involved. The result was that CCOWS have expanded with over 15 new members, sub groups have been set up to tackle various tasks. This is such good timing as the Quirk timescale is very short, it ends in March 08 and there is a lot of work to be done. But things are looking very positive for the future of this old building.

Thanks to Distinctly Winkleigh for delivering the CCOWS flyers advertising the event with the last issue, it really helped a great deal. I hope that the Winkleigh Society will be able to continue supporting our quest.

5.3 Broadclyst Society
Peter Howard, a recent member of the Winkleigh Society, reported that the Broadclyst Society wished to pay a visit to Winkleigh, the suggested date the 2nd Monday in June 2008, as they would love to explore and hear about the history of Winkleigh. It was suggested that our three "tour guides", Andrew Ware, Stuart Mitchell and Deanne Whittaker be prevailed upon to lead the three groups on this occasion. They will need to be contacted to ensure they can undertake this task for the Society.

5.4 D.U.S.T.
A question was asked about the funds should Winbeg not now go ahead and there be no need for the protest group now that Peninsular Power had withdrawn its appeal. This needs to be followed up with the relevant group.

5.5 Winbeg
David Lausen confirmed that Peninsular Power Ltd has withdrawn its appeal against TDC's decision to refuse planning permission for the power station. This was good news.

For some considerable time there has been an alternative proposal for the airfield which has been incorporated into the Parish Plan and shared with the community at various public meetings. Although this plan has not definitely been accepted, it is hoped that it will be incorporated into the development of the airfield as part of the Local Development Framework. The consultation period for the framework has commenced and will be on the TDC website. Information regarding this is on www.winkleighonline.com There will be two EGMs of the Parish Council one on 19th December to discuss and formulate Winkleigh's response, the other on 16th January in the presence of Maria Bailey from TDC to discuss the Local Development Framework relevance for Winkleigh. As usual these will be open meetings for any and all to attend.

The alternative proposal has been carried forward by a group outside the remit of the Winkleigh Society, but with representatives on it from the Society, the Parish Council and other relevant and interested parties. One of these parties has been the South West Regional Development Agency, who at the last recent meeting promised £50K towards the costs of a development brief for the airfield area which will commence in January 2008. David Lausen and Peter Stutt are on the interview panel who will appoint the consultants chosen to undertake this development brief.

5.6 West of England Transport Collection
Colin Shears reported that the annual open day held on the old airfield had been extremely successful and he was delighted with the excellent year.

5.7 Vote of Thanks
Gordon Fisher proposed a vote of thanks to David Lausen for all his dedicated hard work for the Society as chairman, particularly for all his guidance and fortitude through the difficult fours years since the application for a power station on the airfield was submitted by Peninsular Power Ltd in April 2003. This was carried unanimously.
There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.00pm


APPROVED BY

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