Friends of Ecclesholme
ASSOCIATION OF FRIENDS OF ECCLESHOLME BENEVOLENT FUND
Registerd charity – No 510151
Minutes of the committee meeting
Held at Ecclesholme, vicars street, eccles.
On Sunday 25 March, 2012 at 2.30 pm
Present:
WBro William Gerald Bullough President – Acting Chairman
WBro William Dudley Aukland Vice Patron
WBro Mark Stephen Gregory Treasurer: Chorley & District Group Representative
WBro William Isherwood Widnes Group Representative
WBro Michael Tonge South Eastern Group Representative
WBro Jim Sims Leigh Group Representative
WBro Stanley Bibby East Lancashire Province:
WBro Peter Hegarty East Lancashire Province: Salford District
WBro Donald Roberts East Lancashire Province: Audenshaw Districts
WBro Norman Hilton Ecclesholme Publicity Officer
WBro George Richards Ecclesholme Almoner
Mrs Bev.Niland Home Manager
VW Bro Chris Caine Deputy President of the R.M.B.I.
Mrs Sally Ann Caine
WBro Malcolm Parr Chairman Leigh Group
Apologies:
WBro Ernest Daniel Wigan Group Representative / Chairman
WBro Malcolm Warren Secretary
WBro Peter Brown Eccles Group Representative
WBro Derek Hazlehurst Warrington Group Representative
In the absence of the chairman, Gerald Bullough chaired the meeting. He welcomed the Vice President of the RMBI and his wife Sally Ann, who were in attendance. He also greeted Malcolm Parr.
The minutes of the previous meeting having been circulated were proposed by Jim Sims, seconded by Mike Tonge, they were accepted as a true and correct record by committee members present.
Maters Arising:
1. Notification of the ‘Gala Dinner’ hosted this year by the South Eastern Group had been circulated to all Assistant Provincial Grand Masters responsible for groups and districts, Group Chairmen and all Committee members by the host Group Secretary. It was hoped that the respective Assistant Provincial Grand Masters from East Lancashire had also received the same correspondence? Mike Tonge the South Eastern representative then expanded on the information circulated and suggested that the requested donation of £50 per Group/District was to be a minimum and that £100 would be more appropriate.
2. The committee had been well represented at the recent Friends of Fairlawn Annual General Meeting, a notable absentee, due to the difficult weather conditions, being our President, whose apologies had been recorded on the day.
3. The Southern Area ‘2015 RMBI Festival Dinner’ had been well supported by our East Lancashire Representatives on the committee.
4. Regarding the suggestion of an increased committee size the Provincial Grand Master for West Lancashire had suggested that, at this time, the committee should remain at its current size. A debate then ensued, where it was pointed out that East Lancashire Province had been re-organised into six Districts: Northern, Eastern, Western, Southern, Manchester and Salford. Only the Southern, Manchester and Salford Districts being represented on the committee. It was also stated that it was the view of the newly appointed Provincial Grand Master of East Lancashire, that there should be greater representation, and thereby greater financial support from the East Lancashire Province.
As this matter had now been escalated to Provincial Grand Master level, from both sides, it was felt to have passed beyond the remit of the committee and that further developments would be awaited after the two Provincial leaders had time to discuss the Association’s Constitution and Trust Deed.
5. The award for the achievement of the ‘Gold Framework in Care Homes’ the presentation had been photographed and appeared on both Provincial Websites. William D. Auckland commented that Mrs. Bev Niland and her team had achieved the award and congratulations were extended to all concerned for their magnificent efforts!
6. Regarding the suggested idea of ‘car stickers’. This was discussed along with item three of the Secretary’s report (concerning air fresheners). After much debate Donald Roberts, Proposed and Stan Bibby seconded that we purchase 500 Car Stickers and 2,000 Air Fresheners. The proposition was carried. It would be left in the hands of the Chairman and the Leigh Group Representative to order the products as soon as possible.
7. The annual Summer Fair this year is to be opened by Tony Bent, Assistant Provincial Grand Master for West Lancashire Province.
The Chef at the Eccles Masonic Hall is to be involved in the cooking of beef burgers etc., which are to be sold for profit at the forthcoming Summer Fair. The idea of the purchase of food being sponsored is being investigated. The costing of ‘Calypso’ type coffee is being discussed with the Manager of Masonic Hall at Eccles.
In the Secretaries report the following had been received:
a. Letter from the Provincial Grand Secretary of West Lancashire Province, concerning possible changes to the format of the committee structure.
b. Newsletter from the friends of Tithebarn
c. Letter regarding the purchase of Air Fresheners, already discussed and approved see above.
d. Invitation to the President, Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer to attend the opening of the sun room at The Tithebarn (Secretary and Treasurer both away on Holiday)
e. Letter from the Chairman requesting a change of meeting date for our next meeting.
In response to a question from the floor, concerning what we spend our funds on, the Treasurer gave a high level breakdown of some of the items the committee had purchased. During the explanation the subject of transport for residents was discussed. The point as to what expenditure, on future vehicles, the committee had agreed was also discussed. It was suggested that an option be considered which was an adapted van, ‘Peugeot Partner’ type, may be a suitable replacement. This is an item to be discussed at our next meeting.
In the Home Manager’s report Bev. Niland explained there were TWO vacancies, but these would soon be filled and that the Home had a number of people on the waiting list, including THREE couples. The RMBI are to invest further monies into the Home by the addition of four extra bedrooms, two downstairs and two on the top floor. The lounge on the top floor is to be knocked through to create a large dining area. Bev. has been heavily involved with the transition from the home being an institute to a home that caters more extensively for individual needs. Staff is to stop wearing uniforms as some residents, particularly those with dementia, found the appearance intimidating. One of the residents had recently celebrated her 100th birthday. This she celebrated by skyping her family in Australia.
Bill Isherwood proposed and Mike Tonge seconded that £1,000 be transferred to the ‘Resident’s Amenity Fund’, all present were in favour.
Any Other Business:
Mike Tonge has recently taken up a position within the Mark Charities, who have offered to help. The cutting of the grass is one project under consideration. Bev to report back to the next meeting what currently happens.
