• Welcome and apologies
The meeting was started by the showing of a 5 minute video “Day in the life of Samie” a film showing the life of a young boy of Freetown .
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. Due to bereavement Sheila Woodhead is unable to join us so Claire Lintern acting secretary for the time being
Apologies from: Sheila Ware, Sheila Woodhead , Andrew Betts, Mark Lancaster, Rosemary Clark, David Danskin, Deirdre Bethune, Val, Sheila White
• Minutes of last AGM
Minutes were read, voted on as correct and the chair signed as a correct record of the previous meeting
• Re-election of officers
Philip Davies is leaving the town so has resigned as a trustee. The Chair wished him well in his future job.
Name |
Office |
Nominated |
Seconded |
Rachel Lintern |
Chair |
Sue Heron |
Brian Lintern |
Tricia Selwood |
Treasuer |
Sue Heron |
Brian Lintern |
Sheila Woodhead |
Secretary |
Sue Heron |
Brian Lintern |
Sheila Ware |
Friends group co-ordinator |
Sue Heron |
Brian Lintern |
Brian Partridge |
|
Sue Heron |
Brian Lintern |
Andrew Betts |
|
Sue Heron |
Brian Lintern |
David Danskin |
|
Sue Heron |
Brian Lintern |
Claire Lintern |
|
Sue Heron |
Brian Lintern |
Graham Mabbutt |
Representative of Cowper- Newton Museum |
Sue Heron |
Brian Lintern |
Ann McCallum |
|
Rachel Lintern |
Jeff Bowden |
Kate Vilkaitis |
|
Rena Partridge |
Philip Davies |
The officers were re-elected unanimously.
• Chairs report
Chair read her report- see attachment. Highlights included a short review of her Newton visit, update on the skills centre, Olney schools linking status, Lions continuing their furniture support, church links, support from St Johns Ambulance, distribution of goods from Milton Keynes to Newton , the use of micro-credit scheme for a group of market traders. Thanks were given to everyone who have helped fundraise, helped to promote the link, and collected goods…. In the future Newton should be connected to the Internet, and visits on both directions are encouraged. There is still more work to do on the skills centre and housing may need to be revisited
• Treasurer report
Treasurer read her report- see attachment. Copies of expenditure account were distributed. Current available funds £863 as on 31.03.08. The actual balance is £2856 but a proportion of this has already been allocated to specific projects. The chair highlighted the difficulties of the Newton committee accessing their money from the bank in Freetown
• Secretary report
Acting secretary read her report- see attachment. A brief overview was given of meetings during the year, and when minutes of Newton meetings were received.
• Members reports
Sutcliffe Baptist Church – read by Jeff Bowden representative. See attachment. Sponsored walk raised over £800, Brima Kabbia running a seed project and this is working well.
Friends of ONL – received from Sheila Ware, read by acting secretary. See attachment. Membership currently stands at 42. 6 newsletters have been sent out, and new friends are being asked to pay an annual subscription- minimum £10
Saints together – read by Brian Lintern representative – see attachment. The link has been improved this year as communications have increased. Hymn books have been donated and an anonymous donation has been given for St Mary's to buy a generator. Wireless network linking in Newton will be happening, but not for at least 6 months. There is also a possibility that a vicarage will be needed and the church may become involved in this
Lions- Rod Wayland was representing the Lions who are continuing to support the school's furniture with a further donation of £500
St John ambulance Service
Olney Infant school – Janet Shipton representing. Olney Infants are in the process of making contracts between 2 schools and are waiting to see if Lavenden School wish to become involved. The World Vision road show is due to visit the school next week.
The Chair thanked all members for their continued hard work and acknowledged their activities.
A.O.B. – Sponsorship for handouts - new handouts are planned. 2 ideas are under review. Any contacts for possible business sponsorship to help with printing costs would be appreciated
Exhibition in MK library of Sierra Leone past, present future – this is compiled by Ken Harris from GEMK, with a reception 21 st May which all present are invited, this will also be attended by Sierra Leone High Commissioner as well as the mayor of Milton Keynes
“All time music hall” fundraiser – Hanslope Players are doing this Olney Rugby Club 2 nd May 7.30 tickets available from chair and words bookshop. Food is included in the ticket price
ICEtwice – are selling photographs £15 from each picture comes to the link, they are £40 in total
Talk from Kate Vilkaitis from World Vision on her work and experiences