Minutes of the meeting of the Suffolk Concert Band

held on Thursday 4th May 2006 at 75 Chatsworth Drive, Ipswich

 

Those present were: Angela Bates, Toby Pratt, Sarah Scott, Mark Cheadle, Roger Jones, Trevor Daldry, Gordon Scopes.

 

28.    Apologies for absence

These were received from Ray Wilson and Simon Pulham.

 

29.    Adoption of minutes of meeting held on Thursday 6th April 2006

The minutes were adopted with the following corrections:

 

i)         (17)7)7) “Ray reported that he has not received a reply to his letter regarding the supposed non-payment of our account with the Spa Pavilion.”

 

ii)       (17)7)8) “The committee agreed that we should appoint a new independent examiner…”

 

iii)      (21)4) “Colin has withdrawn his request for this year due to the short notice and distance to the conference.”

 

30.    Matters arising from meeting held on Thursday 6th April 2006

i)         (158.1 – Feb 2006) Date for Christchurch Park in 2007

The committee agreed to discuss this when we finalise dates for 2007 in the autumn.

 

ii)       (7)7 – Mar 2006) Spa concert 2005 PRS payment

Ray has still not received a reply to his letters.

 

iii)      (26 – April 2006) Ray has written to John explaining the revised tariff for payment of expenses.

 

31.    Chairman

31.1.     Charity Status

            The committee agreed to discuss this at the next meeting when the Treasurer will be present.

 

32.    Musical Director

i)         A new conductor’s stand has not yet been purchased.

 

ii)       The committee agreed we should organise a social event with the Nottinghamshire Police Band after the concert at the Corn Exchange.

 

iii)      We need to focus on better publicity for future concerts. Ideas include glossy posters, a flyer with forthcoming events, local magazines, newspapers and radio. Roger and Toby will discuss a list of requirements.

 

iv)     After the rehearsal on 10th May, Roger will be away until the OCA. However, John Whelton is unavailable for one rehearsal in June, which Roger will do, date to be confirmed.

 

33.    Secretary

Angela will enter a team for the Ipswich Arts Association Music Forum Annual Quiz on Friday 23rd June.

 

34.    Treasurer

Submitted by Ray Wilson via email.

 

i)         Significant items of income and expenditure during April were:

·         Subs income £214

·         Rehearsal hall rent £100

·         MDs expenses £395

 

£500 has been transferred from the Bonus Saver account to our current account because we were likely to go into the red and did not want to incur charges.

 

ii)       The annual insurance policy has been renewed at a cost of £616.34 (£556 last year). The cover for theft, accidental loss or damage on the basis of ‘new for old’ is as follows:

·         Instruments valued at less than £5000 each £14,713

·         Equipment (music, uniform, stands etc.) £41,260

·         Trailer £3525 (included in equipment above)

·         Public Liability for any one event £5m

·         Personal accident 9x10 units (£5000 per person) 45x1 (£500 per person)

 

The committee would like the Treasurer to clarify if the trailer is insured by the policy whilst being towed.

 

iii)      It has been requested that members have a list of all band member’s names and addresses. The committee agreed that we should not publish this list.

 

iv)     A claim for £357 has been submitted to the Inland Revenue as tax refund on £1266 worth of Gift Aid donations from members who have paid their subs in the last tax year.

 

34.1.     Independent Examiner

The committee agreed to discuss this at the next meeting when the Treasurer will be present. In the meantime, Toby will investigate the cost of an external examiner.

 

35.    Membership Secretary

i)         7 members are yet to return their engagement reply slips.

 

ii)       Clare English (Alto Sax) would like to join the band. She also plays Tenor Sax and Flute.

 

iii)      Percussion section - Will Baldry will be in the section for the near future, if there are already two horns playing. Matt Gardiner would like to join the band and Alex Tostdevine is also a percussionist.

 

36.    Librarian

Sarah reported that there is no lighting or heating where the library is stored at FADOS House, and music she has been getting out is damp. She feels that we should make alternative arrangements for the library and has offered some garage space. Sarah and Gordon will discuss this and report back at the next meeting.

 

37.    Concert Manager

i)         Trevor will visit Monks Soham Church next week and will be loading the trailer on the Saturday before the concert.

 

ii)       The trailer is being serviced this week and some ID will be painted on the roof.

 

38.    Recording

Reported submitted in writing by Simon Pulham.

 

A number of comments have been made about availability during April and May. As the recording is to be representative of the band it must embrace as many players as possible. May is also a month when study leave is rightly taking priority with our younger members.

 

Simon, Roger and Toby have discussed how to take this forward:

·         We should write to all the OCA members who have made donations explaining the situation.

·         A ‘flyer’ should be produced for circulation at Minden Day – and by arrangement with any mail shots the OCA are doing – with the idea that these are available for Christmas stockings!

·         With our commitments in hand the only realistic time to do the recording is in October. This will be when Eastbourne and the Corn Exchange are behind us. We can then devote the whole month to the preparation. It would leave five weeks to prepare for Castle Hill/Christmas.

 

The committee suggested the 22nd and 29th October as possible dates. Michael Simmonds needs to be informed.

 

39.    Forthcoming Events

·         Saturday 13th May 2006 – Monks Soham Church

Tony Radcliffe and Julie Troupe to be asked to play Clarinet. Adam Cable is playing horn.

 

·         Saturday 22nd July 2006 – Spa Pavilion

We need to start doing posters now.

 

·         Saturday 30th September – Corn Exchange

The Nottinghamshire Police band will sponsor the concert. Angela will write to Martin Bell inviting him to introduce the concert. We need to make a list of VIPs to invite. We need full details about the Charity the concert is supporting.

 

39.1.     Other Events

Once again we have been invited to play at the Salvation Army Hall, Woodbridge on Saturday 2nd December. The committee agreed to this engagement.

 

39.2.     Trip 2008

Nothing to report.

 

40.    Any Other Business

There was no other business.

 

Meeting closed at 9.30pm

 

Date of Next Meeting

Thursday 1st June 2006

Venue – Acton Lodge, Needham Market