Minutes of the Meeting of the Suffolk Concert Band

held on Thursday 5th January 2006 at 82 Goring Road, Ipswich

 

Those present were: Angela Bates, Toby Pratt, Gordon Scopes, Ray Wilson, Simon Pulham, Mandy Chinery.

 

129.   Apologies for absence

Sarah Scott, Roger Jones, Trevor Daldry, Mark Cheadle.

 

130.   Adoption of minutes of meeting held on Thursday 1st December 2005

The minutes were agreed.

 

131.   Matters arising from meeting held on Thursday 1st December 2005

117)104) Toby has ordered the new letterheads and compliment slips today.

 

117)111) The trailer has not yet been fixed.

 

118) Simon reported that he has written to the Charities commission about the rewording of the constitution with regards to removing the MDs from the trusteeship.

 

119.1) John Whelton has agreed to conduct the band from 14th June until 22nd July. Ray proposed that we add the review of Roger’s appointment to the next agenda. The committee agreed.

 

120) Our request to play in Christchurch park on Sunday 9th July has been turned down. The committee agreed to pursue this no further.

 

121)2) Inland Revenue & Customs – Ray has received a letter from IR & C confirming that they now regard the matter as closed.

 

121)3) The subs for the IAA have now been paid. Ray has put Toby’s name forward to be the new representative.

 

121)4) Ray is continuing to investigate an investment account for the band.

 

121)7) Our current insurance covers the cost of replacing the kit, new for old.

 

122) Clem Cocker and Alex have returned their membership forms.

 

123) Mandy reported that she is retiring not resigning from the committee at the end of the current term. Pirates of the Caribbean and Sarie Marais have not yet been purchased.

 

132.   Chairman

Simon has not yet been able to collect the new music stands from the trade supplier but will do so as soon as possible.

 

Roger will not be available the week after Easter so the committee agreed to ask John Whelton to conduct the rehearsal on 19th April.

 

Simon felt that the Christmas concert went well.

 

133.   Musical Director

Nothing to report.

 

134.   Secretary

Nothing to report.

 

135.   Treasurer

Submitted by Ray Wilson via email.

 

1)       The significant items of income and expenditure for December 2005 were:

a)    Photocopying – Gyppeswyk Singers: +£134.20

b)    Photocopying – Community Light Orchestra: +£114.75

c)    FADOS outstanding debt:  +£214.74

d)    Rent to FADOS 2004-05:  -£150.00

e)    MDs expenses (August-December):  -£535

f)     Rent Holy Trinity:  -£25 (1 week December)  

 

2)       Beginning of the Budget 2006

a)    The income from subs alone (assuming a stable membership and ignoring Gift Aid) will be about £2,200.00.  The estimated income from concerts (£1000 approx.) is made up as follows:

 

March 22 Holy Trinity donation?

April 26 Holy Trinity donation?

May 13 Monk Soham church £100?

June 25 Barham Hall £250

July 9 Christchurch Park? not confirmed £250?

July 22 Spa F'stowe variable

July 30 OCA donation £75?

August 27 Eastbourne £200

Sept 30 Corn Exchange £250 or less

November 12 Shotley donation £50?

December 10 Simon's birthday no charge

December 11 Needham Market donation

December 13 Holy Trinity donation?

 

b)    Using the tariff of expenses for MDs agreed at the December meeting, I project the costs under this head for 2006 to be about £1500. The cost of renting the Holy Trinity premises, if charges remain as they are at present, will be about £600. The cost of renting the FADOS garage for storage will be £150.

 

3)       I hope to have the 2005 accounts audited before the February committee meeting so that you can see them in advance of the annual meeting.     

 

<<end of email>>     

  

Ray asked the committee to approve retrospectively the purchase of Sea Songs at a cost of £65. The committee were reminded that all purchases on behalf of the band should be pre-approved by the committee first. Any individuals not doing so do so at their own risk.

 

We have received £75 for Needham Market Community Carol Service.

 

Ray is currently investigating indemnity insurance on behalf of the trustees of the band. In his opinion, with the other insurance that the band has, he did not feel that this was necessary and the committee agreed.

 

Simon reported that the concert at Castle Hill in December is an official concert and there will therefore be some income.

 

136.   Membership Secretary

Gordon reported that all membership forms from new members have been returned.

 

Leanna Cleaver (Alto Saxophone) was at the rehearsal last night and would like to become a member.

 

Angela will contact Simon Tomlinson about his intentions to come back to the band and the return of his jacket.

 

Toby is still working on the membership pack for new members.

 

Trevor is currently trying to arrange a space to keep the trailer at Alstons.

 

One of the radiators at Holy Trinity does not work properly and has a broken valve. Angela to write to Val Sheppard reporting this.

 

Gordon reported that members are not notifying him of any absences and will remind them of the procedure at the next meeting. Gordon also commented on how impressed he was with Jonathan Gardiner’s solo in Fantasy at last night’s rehearsal, the committee agreed.

 

137.   Librarian

Mandy reported that there are five new pieces in the pad.

 

Gordon asked if he could borrow the carols arranged by Bernard Reader. The committee agreed. A number of people have expressed a dislike for the orange carol books and it was suggested that we purchase the Salvation Army carol books instead. Mandy suggested that this would be a good job for the new Librarian.

 

Gordon requested that we should play the Japanese Suite that he donated to the band. The committee agreed that we should perform Pina Shanty in public this year. Ray requested that we play a German march called Wien Beliet Wien again, which we have in the library.

 

138.   Concert Manager

Gordon reported that a number of members had commented on how good the band layout was for the Woodbridge concert and suggested that perhaps we should review the current layout when we rehearse.

 

139.   AGM 2006

The date for the AGM will be on Wednesday 8th February 2006.

 

All current officers, with the exception of the Chairman, Librarian and Concert Manager, have agreed to stand for re-election. Angela will ask Sarah if she would like to stand for re-election as Concert Manager.

 

Angela to write to Barry Salmon inviting him to chair the AGM.

 

The committee agreed that the subs for 2007 should remain the same.

 

140.   Publicity

Nothing to report.

 

141.   Recording

We need to set some dates for some dedicated recording sessions. Simon circulated some suggested recording items:

 

Speed the Plough

Regimental Slow March

The Duchess

Regimental Reunion – Bernard Reader

When Johnny Comes Home – Paul Fenoulhet

Colonel Blimp – Paul Fenoulhet

Concert Polka – Thomas Rumbold

Big Bands in Concert

Belle of the Ball

Westminster Waltz

Alford March

Sousa March

Solo items?

 

Gordon suggested that we involve Bernard Reader and John Whelton in the project. A suggested venue for the recording is Northgate High School. Other ideas for the CD included; the OCA Church call and hymns, and an intro from Martin Bell. Simon volunteered to oversee this project.

 

142.   Forthcoming Events

·   Saturday 22nd July 2006 – Spa Pavilion

This has not yet been confirmed due to a change of management at the Spa. However, we are still provisionally booked for this date and should receive a contract within the next month.

 

·   Sunday 27th August 2006 – Eastbourne Bandstand

    Gordon will book a coach for this engagement.

 

142.1.         Other Events

The studio recording at Suffolk College will now be on Thursday 9th March and this will replace the rehearsal on the 8th.

 

Angela has received a request from Stratford St. Mary Church regarding an autumn concert. The committee agreed that this should be at the end of October and Angela will contact them about a possible date.

 

142.2.         Trip 2008

Gordon, Sarah and Trevor are currently discussing ideas for the trip. Gordon suggested that we use a travel company to organise the whole weekend for us.

 

143.   Any Other Business

Items for the January newsletter include; the website, recording suggestions, the AGM, and the membership pack.

 

Mandy asked how Marion Singleton is after her operation? Simon reported that she was due to return to the band in the New Year but has not yet heard anything from her.

 

Meeting closed at 9.50pm.

 

Date of Next Meeting

Thursday 2nd February

Venue – Acton Lodge, Needham Market