ADAS annual report

Last night was the AGM of one of Audlem's most influential groups, ADAS, the Audlem District Amenities Society. The following are excerpts from Acting Chairman Ralph Warburton's annual report.

There are separate reports on the Citizen of the Year and the Young Citizen of the Year award.

Ralph reported: How truly good it is to see so many here tonight, a prime example of this community spirit we have here in Audlem. Thank you all for coming.

I begin by saying that I stand here as your acting chairman – following the resignation of Julie as she and her family moved away from Audlem. My very sincere thanks for her tenure as our chairman and the superb enthusiasm she had in her approach to her post. We do miss you Julie and are very happy for you in your new house. On behalf of the ADSAS members, please accept this floral tribute with all our best regards.

Now to carry on I thank my committee for all the effort and support they have freely given in the past 12 months. We work well together and work as a team – which is very rewarding . Our new members Dave Cooper and Neil Goodyear to the committee are very welcome and a true injection of fresh blood – vital for the long term future of ADAS.

In 2011, I did say that my report as your chairman was my last ever as your chair. But here I am again. I will of course continue as a very active member of ADAS – a group of very willing folks and one of which I am proud to a part of.

Funding

With nothing at all from Cheshire East, we had to raise everything though our own efforts. Appealing to the Parish Council here produced their support again for which we are most grateful – but the vast majority of our income comes from yourselves in the form of your annual subs and donations.

I am very please d to report that the coloured envelope campaign has once more produced a record response from all residents. Add to this the marvellous amount of donations from the very vibrant businesses here in the Village and we are financially quite healthy. A huge thank you to all who gave us their help – large and small , and so showed their belief in all we do.

The addition of the facility to apply gift aid to member's subs has brought a good response, with a high percentage of residents ticking the box. And the Inland Revenue continue to send us a nice bonus cheque – so I do urge all members to tick for the gift aid on their contribution envelopes!

Our investments from our Trust fund have performed well , rising from £8,506 in May 2012 to £11,068 this year. This fund is there as a back stop that we can call on if the need arises. All members of the committee are Trustees .

Our decision to invest in ethical equities has, as you see, been the right move.

Our year just over

A wonderful evening of singing by the Joint Choirs under the direction of Jenny Collis- Smith was held in October and we will again enjoy the very accomplished performance by Audlem Voices on Saturday the 19th. Do come along and enjoy the event in St James Church.

September saw a very lively tabletop sale which brought a very full hall of everything from the smallest toy to bikes etc on sale. This is now so much more enjoyable for all than holding the outdoor car boot sale as in the past – even though it is more costly as we have to pay the hire fee of the Public Hall. In response to requests we will hold another table top sale on the 16th of November.

In November and again in June we presented two very successful Fashion shows – organised so well by Julie and Bryony – which were very popular and well received by the ladies of the village . A very busy evening with first the fashion parade and then to the buying time!

Then also in June we had a rebirth of our Open Garden Weekend with many beautiful gardens on display – masterminded by David and Judy, involving much effort on their part . A very popular event and one much enjoyed by both the owners and the viewers . We may visit this activity again in the future.

December brought the Christmas Displays and many extra lights lit up the village beautifully on a grand tree. Mike Haines and volunteers Phil Baker and Pete Hollinshead are invaluable in getting it all to work.

More trees were lit in the village and we plan to light up more to give an overall sparkle to the Village leading into the big tree in the Square and together with the 50 plus small trees – which this year we will again buy from a Whitchurch grower – will maintain our reputation as being one of the best Christmas Villages in Cheshire.

The big tree will again be donated to us by Angela and Graham Allinson from their plantation in Hatherton. I remind all that the commercial cost of such a big tree are around £500 in all!

The very vital help of Pete Hollinshead in cutting the tree and in Richard Furber and Jonathan Gleave in transporting the tree and erecting – is so much needed and for which I am so grateful – and I am pleased to say that all have again offered their help in this effort.

The whole business of lighting the village as we do involves a great deal of effort from ourselves and our willing volunteers and we are very pleased with the good response we get from all quarters.

In 2011 we began what is now to be an annual event – The Big Switch On , with Santa arriving on the Audlem Lass along with his little helper. To much enjoyment by the crowds on the wharf. Louisa and Martin Balaam and their family (our sponsors last year) were delighted to press the switch and light the tree.

The new open night in the village of local shops was once more very welcome and a lovely added jewel to the crown of the village – and our Santa was kept quite busy in a grotto at Julie and Phil's house . This year we will hold the event on the 28th November and our Christmas Lights Sponsors are Olive & Geoff Stretch – who are so well known as very dedicated servants to the village. Ellis, their grandson will throw the switch to light the tree.
I am very pleased to say that the new owners of Number 17 – Chrissy and Martin Sullivan – have agreed that we can again site the grotto at their house.

The annual Carol singing round the tree was again well attended with good music by the Crewe Brass Band- who have been playing for on us this very lovely night for over 25 years . Hot soup again very welcome and given freely by Jo & Allan Brown of the Lord Combermere. This is such a happy family night and so typical of the Village and this year we meet on 20th December for a slightly longer 45 minutes .

Floral planting for the Summer

With regard to the floral displays in and around the district, the vast response from residents and visitors has been very positive , with the tubs a real riot of colour and the beds by the Lord C very vibrant. This year we have planted shrubs in the long bed in Shropshire St as – being under the trees there is very difficult for bedding flowers. These will mature and fill out as the years progress.

In July I met the Britain in Bloom judging team and I am delighted to say that all looked superb. Not a scrap of litter. Not a cigarette end. And the blooms really full of colour . The upshot. We have yet again – for the 4th year in a row, itself a record for ADAS – been advised that we have been awarded a medal.

Neil and myself will travel to Southport to attend the awards ceremony on the 24th. Messrs Oxleys of Crewe have agreed again to present the plaque recording the award free of cost for which we thank them most sincerely.

This year we in Audlem in Bloom asked the pupils of Audlem St James school to grow the best Giant Sunflower plants as part of the ADAS year and I gave out some 200 plantlets in late May.

In mid September, the final display in school of over 50 flowers was evidence of their labour – ranging from the very big to the tiny, laid out to be judged by me . The biggest was over 4 metres tall!! Fed on Tomato feed.

Lots of care and feeding had been used to produce some very lovely results and it so rewarding to see just how much the children enjoy the whole thing.

I do truly believe is it important to try to involve the children as much as is possible in community activity. As I stand there at assembly, it is wonderful and so rewarding to see the 160 or so excited and interested faces as I present the prizes for their efforts. Together we have voted to grow the biggest marrow next year.

Audlem Medical and Nursing Trust

The Audlem Medical and Nursing Trust continues to receive donations for the good of all , from the community in general. I serve on that Trust committee, along with David Latchford, and we meet as and when the Doctors feel the need to enhance their services to the community- through such funds.

ADAS Hospital car service

The ADAS Hospital car service provides transport to medical appointments for residents of Audlem and surrounding areas. Public transport is often unavailable when required and the service is much appreciated by young and old alike. Irene Pryce of our committee is in discussions with other caring groups as to the running of the service .

This article is from our news archive. As a result pictures or videos originally associated with it may have been removed and some of the content may no longer be accurate or relevant.