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Verwood
& Three Legged Cross
Twinning Association
Chairmans Report at
the AGM 12th October, 2023
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This year has seen a slow but
steady increase in the numbers attending the
Social Evenings. The committee agreed to
begin arranging speakers on a once per
Quarter basis for it to be financially
viable. Speakers cost an average of £55 per
session so an attendance minimum must be at
least 30 people to cover the costs of the
venue and refreshments. A possible solution
is to increase the entry fee to £4 per
person.
Normally our event year begins with
the Christmas Extravaganza early in
December. Unfortunately there was some
confusion over the date last year and so
there were not enough members of the
committee available to run the Mulled Wine
stall when the date was announced. This year
however, we will be at the Extravaganza on 2nd
December to offer our usual mulled wine and
marshmallows for the children.
I would like to say a big thank you
to the committee members for their
contribution in keeping the social evenings
running. Quizzes, refreshments, short films
and raffles have added to the enjoyment in
lieu of a formal speaker.
During May on Ascension weekend a
party from our organisation visited Ore de
Anjou. They were warmly welcomed and taken
on visits to a Vineyard, a Japanese Garden,
a Gala Dinner and a school. Our thanks go to
our hosts in France for such an enjoyable
weekend.
In June, our Mayor, received an
invitation from Liederbach to attend their
annual streetfest. Unfortunately this was
received only one week prior to the event
and close to the Coronation party in the
park. There may be an opportunity to visit
the streetfest in 2024 as we have been
notified of the date as 15th
June.
The Coronation party on the
Memorial Ground was a great success, both
for the community and our own Wine Bar. We
sold nearly £700 worth of wine on the day. A
donation of £100 was made to the Mayor`s
Charity as agreed prior to the event.
In memoriam, sadly, one of our long
term members, Ralph White, passed away.
On a brighter note,
another long term member and former
committee Secretary, Sheila Hollingsworth,
will be 100 years old this month. She may
even get a card from the King!
This year`s Rustic Fayre was a
bumper! We were offered the use of the
pavilion in Potterne Park by the Rotary Club
to sell sandwiches, bacon rolls, cakes, teas
and coffees. The agreement was for a 50%
split of the net profit. On the day we sold
over £2000 worth of goods and a profit of
over £1400 was achieved. Even with our
donation to the Rotary charities we achieved
over £700, the best ever in my recollection.
My thanks go to the committee members for
their work the day before making sandwiches
and cooking bacon etc. Also, to the helpers
who gave their time and helped serving. Over
400 cups of tea and coffee were poured!.
Like many other organisations in
our community, Membership has declined since
the Covid pandemic. The same is true for us.
Our biggest challenge is to retain the
current Members and explore ways to grow.
Financially we are sound and
healthy although a major expense will be
incurred in May of this year when our
friends from Ore de Anjou will visit us for
a weekend. It is unclear how many will be
visiting (possible 35) and a programme of
events is yet to be formulated. The main
challenge is obtaining enough hosts from the
membership. We may have to appeal to the
wider community and this may lead to new
members, who knows?
Please support the social evenings
whenever possible. This will I hope enable
us to get back to having interesting
speakers every month.
Clive Grove
Chairman
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German
Telephone box - This gift from our
friends in Liederbach has now found a
permanent home after many years as a book
exchange on the Dewlands Caravan Park.
