ADAS annual report

It was the ADAS (Audlem District Amenities Society) annual general meeting on Thursday evening. A highlight is always Ralph Warburton's report which, this year, was heard by a packed hall.

Audlem Online asked Ralph for a copy as it will be of interest to many readers as ADAS' year includes so many events and activities. This is what he had to say:

"May I first of all welcome all of you to this – the 42ndAGM  of ADAS. 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.

ADAS committee

I begin by thanking my committee for all the effort and support they have freely given in the past 12 months. We work well together and as a team – which is very rewarding. Indeed we have a new member for the committee in the person of Dave Cooper from Coxbank. A very welcome and true injection of young blood that will only be good for the future of ADAS.

This will be my third report as your chairman and is what will be my last ever as your chair.

In the years that have gone by since Joan and I “volunteered “ to help Audlem in Bloom in the early nineties, I have served as your chairman for more than 9 years – and I hope that what we have achieved in trying to do our best has been enjoyed by all. 

But now it is time for fresh hands on the tiller . 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 . 

I am truly delighted to say that in Julie Hesketh we could have both a much younger and lively chair if the assembly do vote for her to be the new chair. I will give her my fullest support in all matters.

Funding

This year we were dealt a very poor hand as far as seeking the funding we do need to enable us to carry out our work . As most of you are aware , Cheshire East Council- as part of their cost cutting exercises- slashed our grant from £1350 to Zero. Just like that – as Tommy Cooper said. 

That left myself and my committee with a huge hole in cash terms. My press releases sparked a tremendous response from residents with a good result in subs donations.

Additionally I was able to get sponsors for flower beds for the first time – and hopefully this form of sponsorship will continue next year and beyond. 

We have garnered the sum of £2370 in support  from our local traders, sponsors and beyond and the Audlem In Bloom collection in July and August. Plus the grant of £1000 from our Parish Council as help for lights and floral work.

A huge thank you to all who gave us their help – large and small, and so showed their belief in all we do. The continued support for all that we do in and around the district is very rewarding to all of the committee and the comments received are overwhelmingly very complimentary.

Tax bonus

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! This year we received £380 against last year’s £300!

Our investments from our Trust fund have performed well, rising from £7775 in May 2010 to £9,380 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 and I also have a group of villagers who meet as and when needed to advise on any changes. Our decision to invest in ethical equities has, as you see, been the right move. But of course the financial markets are very volatile as you all are aware.

Our year just over

As shown in our  accounts, we are still liquid and have during the year been able to continue with our policy of giving financial support for a various groups (albeit limited this year), so fuelling the community activities that are the hallmark of Audlem.

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 their quality and wonderful voices on Saturday 22nd October this year. 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. 

Christmas displays

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 one more to give an overall sparkle to the Village leading into the big tree in the Square and together with the 45 small trees – which this year we will  buy from a  Whitchurch grower  located by Mike Haines of our committee – will maintain our reputation as being one of the best Christmas Villages in Cheshire.

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. 

The Big Switch On

This year we began what is now to be  an annual event – The Big Switch On, with the children of St James parading to the tree along with Santa and a band. Trixie & Norman Bonnell 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 in MacKelvey’s . This year we will hold the event on the 24th November and our sponsor is Mr Hartley Rushton and his family of Hunterston.

The annual Carol singing  round the tree was again well attended with good music by the United Coop Band. 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 22nd December.

Floral planting for the Summer. 

With regard to the floral displays in and around the district, 

We again majored on the use of tubs sited on membrane and bark chips to reduce the incidence of weeding   We continued with the very popular and rewarding  Million Kisses Begonias from “Ball Colegrave Nurserymen” of Banbury..  

The planting of some 3000 daffodils at the entrance to Tollgate proved a very bright spring welcome and gave a great golden welcome to the village. I planted 1000 narcissi under “Moseley’s” Copper beech tree in the village centre – helped by a new resident, Mrs Jan Evans of Witton Close – which will only increase as they become more established.

And in all this summer display we must praise those who have undertaken to ensure the flowers near to them are kept watered . With your blessing we hope, we have given the following a bouquet in expressing our thanks for their part in ensuring a good show. 

Tony & Shelia Maddock, Mr & Mrs Disley, Janice and Bob Spibey, Lorraine Joynson,  Pat Winfield, Anne Poole , Mrs Cole & Mrs Taylor of Hilary Drive and Mr & Mrs Evans of Witton Close.

Onions at School

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

Last Monday, the final display in school of over a 100 onions  was evidence of their labour – ranging from the very big to the tiny, laid out to be judged by me .

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. 

I am very happy that we in ADAS work so well with our Primary School.

Britain in Bloom

In July I met with the judges who cover the whole of the North West – from Barrow in Furness on the border of the Lake District and right down to Audlem. We had a long meeting, in which they viewed our efforts and in addition I painted a picture for  them of the whole community spirit that we have here. They were much impressed with all that happens.

The upshot of it all was that at the end of August, we received news that once again – for the 2nd year running – we have gained an award! I will be travelling to Southport next week to receive the same on behalf of my committee and of the village.  

This award , together with the Community Spirit Award and the Little Gem Community Award for our village signs which together we put in place for the Millennium (designed as they were by our past member Michelle Perkin), show just how much our efforts in making Audlem such a fine place top live in – and to visit are recognised.

Best Kept and Commercial premises

The awards for Best Kept and Commercial premises awards have been decided upon by David and Irene during the year and David will present these later on this evening – see Friday's report on Audlem Online.

Planning

All planning matters continue to be reported to the committee by Cheshire East Council and Ann is our contact for such matters. We have an advisory role in making fair comments on such plans, which I believe we carry out in the right spirit, mindful as we are of the needs of both new and existing residents.

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

Last – but not least, the Hospital car service we operate is most welcome by those in need and Irene Pryce continues to do  sterling work in coordinating this aspect of our work.

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. 

This service is non-profit making but users are asked to make a contribution towards petrol etc. In this endeavour, we have to thank our pool of dedicated volunteer drivers who help with transport. 

Thank you all and now I step down and hand over to our new chairman elect, Julie Hesketh."

Community & Heritage award

(At the end of the meeting, Ralph presented the ADAS Community & Service Award. He said: 

"We as a committee  decided to make a Community & Heritage award each year from last year. This is to be a recognition of the part played by an individual, group or trader in helping in the enhancement of the fabric that is our community.

We were delighted to  award the first award to our lengthsman, Gavin Davies for the way he works to ensure the village is in such good order.

This year I am very pleased to present the award in recognition of a truly superb effort in raising a huge amount of money for a  very worthwhile cause. Over the past 7 years, she has raised the grand sum of close to £11,000 by taking part in the Midnight Walk in the month of June. 

A sterling effort by any standard . And so good a servant as she dispenses goodies in the Salad Bowl. I refer of course to the very wonderful Janice Spibey. Please come forward Janice."

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