Minutes of WHRF AGM 13th October 2022

Minutes of WHRF AGM

Wookey Hole Community Hall 13th October 2022


Committee members present Julia Scarth - Chair, Doug Robinson, Joanna Davey, Sarah Chambers, Charlie Chambers, Jo Plimmer, Dave Plimmer

19 Wookey Hole residents in attendance1:

Apologies for absence. Mike Pullin, Sarah and Steve Mardle, Eileen Gibbs, Paul Cannon, Less and Bett Cloutman, Lyn Astle

2: Minutes of last meeting 18th November 2021 were agreed and signed & will be posted on the Wookey Hole Village Website

3: Welcome and introduction of the committee members and Julia welcomed new members Jo and Dave Plimmer. Confirmation of the committee for next year and voted in favour to leave the committee as it is.

Julia gives thanks to Chloe Parish and Roger Hancock who have left the committee.

4.:Treasurer’s Report - Sarah C
Sarah C reported that the current bank balance is £1800.53 (£520 being held for Parish Council Grant) this includes an amount of £540.73 which was a donation from LWTST

4: Change to the constitution.
The chair proposed that Elm close should be removed from the constitution and all present voted in favour

5: Chair Person’s Report
Julia reported on what has happened this year and up and coming events for the rest of the year, a welcome sheet for new villagers was introduced as an idea. Julia gave a brief breakdown of the workings of the Parish Council. A big thankyou to the Village community hall which will no longer be available due to ill repair.

6: Working party report: Road working group update, Sarah Chambers.
The working party has worked hard over the last couple of years to accumulate a large amount of data on the traffic flow through the Village, this has been done with the help of volunteers manually counting traffic movement and with council provided digital counting machines. There has been a walk through in the Village with local councillors and discussions on how to improve traffic movement with local business. The report is ready to be written up and offers to do this in the correct manner have been made. The report is yet to be finished and sent as the council are busy with the new council set up. Sarah Chambers asked if anyone was interested in joining her on this working party but no interest was shown on the night.

7: Consideration for any new working parties.
The chair asked for any new working party ideas to be suggested.
Colin Davey suggested continuing to improve the bus shelter and that he wouldn’t mind pursuing this. Julia thanked Colin for his work on the bus shelter benches. The idea of a notice board and lighting were suggested. Jo Plimmer introduced the idea of Heritage lottery funding for this and would be happy to help with a grant application if we were to move the group forward. Sarah Chambers brought up the footpath working party and whether it is still functioning.

8: Audience questions and answers
What is happening with the community hall?
The chair explains due to degeneration it will be taken back by the caves for possible storage use. Suggested that we could have a conversation with the caves on a joint venture to gain a grant to rebuild. Forum will take this forward.
Other options for new meeting places were discussed such as the Wookey Hole club or the caves hotel. Jo Plimmer suggested a working party for this, nothing decided as yet. Audience feels a discussion with the hotel would be best option as there are access limitations on the club and other venues in the village.
Coronation event discussed. Are the caves doing anything? Possible street parties? Bank holiday? Street closures? The possibility of joining up with the club on ideas. The idea of the cricket ground area at the Glencot was raised. Need to find out if the Caves are open and discuss more.

9: Forthcoming events
The chair introduced the tree planting events
26th November -walk 2nd December - planting

10: adjourned for beer wine and cheese and informal discission

Wookey Hole Residents Forum Newsletter

There will be NO Wookey Hole village cafe this Saturday (3rd Aug '24) as many of the cafe crew are away this week.

We will be back in force in September though and have some new ideas brewing too so please watch this space. This includes potentially collaborating with the Club on a weekend of music later in September. If anyone would like to get involved to help make that happen please get in touch.

This Autumn the forum would also like to review and redesign the village website and Facebook page, and our Forum newsletter alongside that. Is there anyone in the village with the skills to help us do that? If so we’d love to hear from you.

And finally if you want to find out what’s happening in the wider area you can now pick up a copy of the Mendip Times from the church porch.

Happy summer!

Featured

Notice of WHRF Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2023

Dear all

We hereby give notice that the Annual General Meeting of Wookey Hole Residents’ Forum will take place on Tuesday 12th December 7.00 - 8.00pm upstairs in the Skittle Alley at Wookey Hole Club.

All residents are automatically members of the Forum and welcome, and encouraged, to attend the AGM.

Re-election of the committee

1. The current WHRF Forum committee are standing to continue for a further year if approved by members at the AGM.

Chair: Jo PlimmerVice chair: vacant - re-considering as Co-ChairSecretary: Sarah MardleTreasurer: Sarah Chambers Committee member: Joanna DaveyCommittee member: Charlie ChambersCommittee member: Dave Plimmer

2. Verity Lake has joined the committee as an un-elected committee member over the last year, and has already been a huge help in enabling the success of recent forum events.

Verity is standing for election to formally join the committee.

3. Doug Robinson has resigned from the committee; we are all very grateful for his support and efforts over the years and wish him well.

4. We are looking for new people to join the committee, including to support us on minute-taking and social media, and also to step into the role of Vice Chair (which we propose to change to Co-Chair).

If you are interested in either of these roles, or getting more involved in the Forum and committee in any other ways, please get in touch.

Election of these roles will be at the next General Meeting.

Other business

The meeting will include annual reports on the last year from the Chair and Treasurer.

Following the formal business there will be a chance to socialise with other village residents. Cold drinks available from the Club Bar downstairs, and tea and coffee in the Skittle Alley along with seasonal snacks.

We look forward to seeing you on 12th December.

Kind regards

WHRF Committee

Minutes of WHRF committee meeting held at The WH Club 7.30pm 4th May 2023

 

Present

Jo Plimmer-Chair, Sarah Chambers-Treasurer, Joanna Davey, Verity Lake

Apologies for absence

Charlie Chambers, Dave Plimmer, Sarah Mardle, Doug Robinson

Minutes of last meeting

held 23rd March 2023 were agreed but will check with Doug for quorate

Welcome Verity Lake! Brief intro to the Forum and what its aims are, and the committee

Treasurers report

Current balance in the WHRF account: £1,539.64 £520 is being held for the Parish Council grant (Neighbourhood Plan) Leaving a balance of £1019.64

 

Working Group reports:

Alternative community space;

One meeting in January to explore alternatives Task of group since then to investigate/shortlist Findings to date: Several groups have started using alternative spaces in village in the last few months WH Hotel: WI WH Club: Ladies Club, Lunch Club and Cinema Club. Latter attracting bigger audience since the move. Hotel use limited by needs of guests and business; couldn’t accommodate all groups. Club happy and interested in exploring and enabling more community use. Fits with their purpose. Broader issues around logistics and accessibility which perhaps the Forum could work with them on? Wookey Hole Church a genuine option but likely to be more complex, requiring significant investment and complex permissions. A long term option. Other options which are unlikely (long list): St Cuthberts Mill Lodge (needing refurbishment, not easy to negotiate as under control of demolition company: too far from village) Corner of land near allotments (due to distance, access, parking) Former Community Hall site (building too far gone, site too close to the resort) Still to investigate: feasibility of various Glencot options put forward including alongside cricket pavilion. Action: Sarah and Charlie to explore with Mr Harris via Graham Communication

What’s on email

All agreed Sarah M doing a great job on this. The list is much broader; great to see cricket and pizzas on the list!

Coronation email

All agreed to this, and to also add the link to the Armchair Field planning application etc. Sarah C to email Sarah M about this so she can get the email out Thursday

Website

Sarah M and Jo started looking at this: move this to next meeting when Sarah M attending

Discussion around Somerset Community Foundation application (to help with website & village connections etc) hard to do this without first finding out from village what is needed (see below)

Events

August Cream Tea at Glencot (Charlie and Sarah to ask Graham and Mr Harris to arrange date alongside cricket)

Tree planting discussion around wider context for replacing the millennium trees of Ash dieback impact on our area. Also, whether village can engage with Caves and other landowners and stakeholders to encourage and work with them on a broader approach to tree planting. Somerset Community Foundation suggest sources for trees and grant funding if need and opportunities there. Action: Jo to ask Julia and David for advice, and then potentially explore with Woodland Trust first

December Christmas meal idea move to next meeting but Sarah C noted request from village for Christmas tree. Discussion around planting a tree, or doing something temporary to begin with.

New idea (Charlie and Jo on their Bristol commutes together) Wookey Hole village witch trail (like scarecrow trail). Caves are very interested and have offered to support with marketing and prize (eg weekend in a chalet with hot tub). Positive at meeting; need to get views of rest of committee.

Potential Committee Projects/Tasks Mendip Hills Grant and Somerset Community Foundation - discussions & actions coming out of this - Sarah C/Jo

Safeguarding policy

(Jo offered to action)

Village questionnaire

Joanna suggested beginning process with Coffee Morning at the Club, inviting representatives from the Club and other Village groups to attend Then flyering village to check what we’ve heard and had suggested at event. Invite village clubs, Club and Caves and circus school to share things (Sarah and Jo to get together and organise a to do list and plan of action) Dates: 25th June or 2nd July? Early afternoon at club? 2-4?

Websites & socials

to be discussed next meeting, Sarah M and Jo looking in to this Should we be considering a Facebook page – perhaps need to consider paying for professional help

Local Planning Applications

An appeal has been raised regarding the 50 houses planning request at Armchair Field. Ivor Tetley is engaging a planning officer to defend this. Poster to be circulated to the email group by Sarah Mardle

AOB

Tree plaques options: take this off agenda until we know what we are doing about tree planting

Sarah C suggested hamper to thank Julia for all she has done for the village and Forum. Sarah to action and get back to committee.

Date, time and venue of next meeting

After June/July event, but event working party before

Featured

WHRF Update & Village Witchy Scarecrow Competition

Dear all
 
Thank you to everyone who came to the village forum coffee morning in September. Around 40 people came, bringing lots of comments and ideas: we will review and report on these at the AGM in December.
 
Thanks to some amazing village bakers and a raffle the event raised over £180 for the Church Flowers Fund.
 
One of the popular ideas put forward was a village ‘witchy scarecrow’ competition and trail for Halloween.
 
We’ve decided to go for it and try this out this year, and thanks to support from Wookey Hole Caves, Wookey Hole Inn and Souldough pizzas there are some great prizes on offer for winning scarecrows:
 
1st Mendip View Lodge weekend
2nd Dinner for two at the Wookey Hole Inn
3rd Souldough Pizza family voucher
 
We’re a bit later than planned publicising but we do hope you and your neighbours will join in and get creative with making your own witchy scarecrow!
 
How to take part:
Email
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and let us know your name and address (by Sunday 22nd latest please so we can put you on a trail map)
Let us know if it is a child or adult entry (or both). Have your witchy scarecrow ready and on display from Thursday 26th to Tuesday 31st October.
 
Prizes will be awarded 6-7pm Mon 30th October at The Mill Restaurant, Wookey Hole Caves (formerly Captain Jack’s).
 
If you are not quite in the village but are interested in getting involved please get in touch.
 
Best wishes from
Wookey Hole Residents Forum Committee
 
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Minutes of WHRF committee meeting held at The WH Club 7.30pm 23rd March 2023

Minutes of WHRF committee meeting held at The WH Club 7.30pm 23rd March 2023

Present Jo Plimmer-Chair, Sarah Mardle -Secretary, Sarah Chambers-Treasurer, Julia Scarth, Doug Robinson, Dave Plimmer,

Apologies for absence Joanna Davey, Charlie Chambers

Minutes of last meeting held 7th February 2023 were agreed and signed and will be posted on the Wookey Hole website.

Treasurers report Current balance in the WHRF account: £1,539.64 £520 is being held for the Parish Council grant (Neighbourhood Plan) Leaving a balance of £1019.64 Sarah C reported that the WHRF insurance is currently with Zurich & this covers us for up to 12 community events per year with up to 500 people.

Mendip Hill Projects Tree Planting Grant Sarah C reported that the application for a grant had not been successful, but Mendip Hill Projects had said they would work with Sarah C & help her re-apply.

Jo has asked Somerset Community Foundation for information re developing new village communications & they have replied requesting a meeting. Jo & Sarah to report back at next meeting.

The ideas for how to attach the tree plaques will be discussed at the next meeting.

Working Groups WH Community Space working group - Jo will report back once the group has done first tasks (exploring options) and met up again.

Traffic in Village - A preliminary report was submitted to Somerset County Council last year but no feedback has been received. Marcel Haydn had said last year that SCC would put up some signs, but no further info has been received regarding this. All the data collected during the investigations will be kept by Sarah C in case there is any future interest.

Communications WH Whats On Sarah M has agreed to produce this

WH Website alternatives Jo is going to meet Somerset Community Foundation for advice & report back at next meeting.

Sarah M has had a rough quote from a local web designer to create a new village web site with links to all the other businesses & clubs in the area. Jo suggested we meet to discuss options after her meeting with Somerset Community group.

Future Events The annual Bring & Share supper - Dates to be suggested at next meeting

King Charles Coronation 06/05/23 It was suggested that we could send out flyer to ask villagers what they want to do. Concerns were raised that we haven't got enough time left to organise a village event. Sandy has volunteered to organise a childrens’ activity stall if required.

Sarah M to check with WH Inn to see if anything is organised there. Julia to check with Church, Jo P to check with Sandy & Jenny, Jo to check with Caves & Circus. The WH Club has nothing currently planned.

Tree planting Now postponed until November '23 - Jo to report back after meeting with Somerset Community Foundation.

Glencott Cream Tea August '23, Charlie to ask Graham if this is possible, also to coincide with a cricket match - 6th, 13th August or 3rd September.

Julia has spoken to WH Inn & has a rough idea about costs for having a village meal there at the end of the year. The pub can seat up to 60 people & a week day event would require a min spend of £2000, a Frid/Sat event minimum £3500. It was suggested that the cost of the food could be subsidised by WHRF e.g. £20 per person. To be discusses further at next meeting.

Local Planning Applications None

Somerset Emergency Community Contacts Julia attended a Teams meeting with Daisy from Somerset Emergency Community Contacts (Lisa Pool from parish Council also present). Ivor Tetley has volunteered to be the emergency community contact for Wookey Hole.

AOB Julia reported that conversations around creating an oral history of the village are taking place (Tess Lipin, Elizabeth Rennie, Rob Hale, Paul Fisher & Dave Hudsmith). Jo suggested this might connect with ideas put forward by Colin about the Bus Shelter’s potential as a natural and local heritage hub. Both could perhaps be included in a Heritage Lottery Funding bid.

Julia has, after 3 years of great service, stepped down as Chairperson of the WHRF. The committee thanked her for all her work. Jo Plimmer has now taken up the role.

Next meeting 7.30pm 17th April 2023 in WH Club

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