The Friends’ AGM was well attended. Our President, Rev Michael Garland, opened the meeting with a prayer and the outgoing Chairman, Dilys Jones, gave her report. She noted that the previous year had been the Friends’ tenth anniversary year, and that numerous events had taken place throughout the year: a summer party in July; in the autumn a quiz night; a Tenth Birthday Tea Party in December complete with a birthday cake and goody bags; the Friends’ Annual Service in February; and a trip to Coventry Cathedral in June. The summer party, the quiz night and the tea party were all notable for the availability of delicious food, thanks to the Committee members and in particular Margaret Walker. The Committee had also produced a number of items to raise funds: Christmas cards, calendars, notelets, notepads, bookmarks and gift tags. There had also been pudding tasting, quizzes, a beetle drive, afternoon tea and other events to raise the profile of the Friends and provide opportunities for people to get to know each other. The next Friends’ service will be on 6 February 2011 and it is hoped that as many as possible will attend the service.
Treasurer Jim Downes also gave his report: a profit of £2878.08 had been made over the year, thanks largely to tax refunds. Membership now stood at 118, as opposed to 124 the previous year. Three fund-raising events had been held as well as a coffee morning, and nearly £400 had been raised. A major expense was the cost of providing the pew seat cushions, which will make services a great deal more comfortable for attendees but cost in excess of £5,000. These cushions are a gift to the church from the Friends.
All were grateful to Dilys for her six years of hard work as Chairman of The Friends and she was presented with a bouquet as a token of our appreciation. She has worked tirelessly on behalf of the church and the Friends and will be a hard act to follow. Although no nominations had been received for the post of Chairman at the AGM, later on David Isher agreed to act as Chairman for the coming year - very welcome news. There is still, however, a vacancy on the Friends’ Committee, if any Friend wishes to volunteer their time – short meetings every couple of months or so.
The AGM was followed by an extremely interesting talk by Gill Garrett, based on her experiences of walking the River Severn, and then supper, which was enjoyed by all.
(The minutes of the AGM are on the notice board at the back of the church).
While we were very sorry to lose Dilys as our chairman, we are delighted that David Isher has offered to lead us for one year only. I am sure he will lead us are diligently as Dilys did.
On October 2nd we are organising a Book Swap. Bring some of the books you have read to the Parish Centre between 2 & 5pm, swap them for others and enjoy one of Margaret’s sumptuous teas. All age groups welcome. Avid readers, this is one my grandchildren are looking forward to, so sort out your books.
On Friday, Saturday and Sundays from 26th November to December 19th the ‘Enchanted Christmas’ is held. For those of you that have not heard of it, many of the trees are illuminated and traditional Christmas festivities are held – well worth a visit. For our younger friends Father Christmas will be in residence. We are hoping to run a coach one Saturday afternoon.
The Christmas Market is on December 4th in the Church. All the usual, Christmas cards, notelets, bookmarks and diaries will be on sale. David Isher is in the process of producing a new Christmas card and perhaps notelets.
When writing a cheque to Friend’s please make it payable to ‘Friends’ of St Mary Charlton Kings’ as there are three Friends’ of St Mary in Cheltenham.
If you have an email address, please may we use it to save on postage distributing the newsletters. Please email friends@stmarysck.org.uk.
October 2nd: Book Swap
December: Westonbirt trip
February 6th 2011: Friends’ service
Click here to see this newsletter with pictures.