Management Board Report

(last updated Feb 2012)

    This report for the February issue of  SCAN is, as always, a combination of both the December and January Board  meetings.

   Progress by the newly- formed Parents' Committee had been such that, at the December meeting, the Board were pleased to be able to withdraw the closure  and  staff redundancy notices at Stocksfield Playgroup, set for the 15^th December 2011. The Board agreed to work with the parents' group during the next few months with a view to a new Parent-led organisation taking over all responsibilities for Playgroup this summer and certainly before  the start of the new school year in September 2012.  By the January meeting a new organisation called 'Friends of Stocksfield Playgroup' had been formed and work is in progress to produce a business plan, together with market research, involving all our current parents.  Playgroup leaders will be consulted and kept fully informed of future plans.

    Towards the end of last term, Playgroup was visited by an Ofsted inspector and both Board members and members of the Parents' Committee were delighted that the inspector rated our Playgroup as 'Good'. This is a marked improvement from the 'Satisfactory' rating achieved nearly 3 years ago and rewards the hard work of our leaders and the support provided by members of the County Early Years team.  The Ofsted Report is now available and copies will be sent to all parents together with a  covering letter from both the Community Association and the Parents' Committee.

    The financial position of Playgroup was also discussed and it was agreed that the late payment of fees by a very small number of parents needed to addressed. Research from other Playgroup settings has indicated that it is standard practice for fees to be paid in advance and it was agreed that this would have to be put into operation here to enable staffing needs to be accurately identified.  The Chairman went on to thank the  members of the Parents' Committee for all their work and looked forward to working with them to secure the long term future of a Playgroup at the Community Centre.

   Two new directors, Ineke Gijsbers and Bill Martin, were welcomed to the Community Association Board at the January meeting. Both are members of a Steering Group set up about a year ago to look at ways of achieving objectives identified in the current Parish Plan. The groups' first objective is to find a means of creating some additional affordable housing in Stocksfield and the Community Association Board at its December meeting had agreed to be involved in this – hence the invitation to co-opt the two additional members.  The Chairman, who is also a member of the Steering Group, provided a report to the Board on  progress made so far and answered questions from other Board members.

   It was agreed that we commit to replacing the roof on the Mary Clayton room this summer. Continued fund raising efforts should make it possible for us to afford to go ahead and Board members felt that postponing this for a further year would only increase the final cost.  So far over £3500 has been raised and the Board is grateful to all those who have supported our fund raising efforts. The Chairman agreed to continue to search for grant aid.   Peter Scott was thanked for re-surfacing the hall floor which has saved the Community Association considerable expense.

 Social activities planned for the coming months include a visit from The Monster Ceilidh Band on Saturday 25^th February and our annual Quiz Night on Friday 30^th March.  The next Coffee Morning is on Saturday 28^th January and efforts to stage a concert by the Prudhoe Community Band are continuing.

    The January meeting included a presentation by Helen Morris covering possible village events to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee this summer.  Helen reminded members of the list of suggested activities  which appeared in the December issue of NE43 News.  A small committee is already working on plans to hold a “Big Lunch”, together with other attractions,  at Bywell Hall.  The possibility  of a Jubilee Tea Dance being organised at the Community Centre was also raised and Board members were encouraged to become involved.  Of course, that goes for all our members so if you have an idea and/or would like to volunteer please  use the contact details in NE43 News.

Manager’s Message

The deadline for returning your SiCA Winter Quiz is 31^st January.  Answers will be displayed on the Centre noticeboard and copies may be obtained from the SiCA Office for a small charge.

 Stocksfield W.I. are holding their annual Jumble Sale on Saturday 4^th February, please bring any contributions down on Saturday morning.

 Tyne Valley Youth Theatre is running a week of drama sessions in half term from Monday to Saturday, for ages 8-21.  The aim is to create a production in a week with performances on the Friday and Saturday.  For further details and how to book, please see the advert later in the magazine.  Or check out the website www.tvyouththeatre.org

 Churches Together are having a film night at the Community Centre on Friday 24^th February and are showing ‘The King’s Speech’.  All are welcome to enjoy this great film.

 The show that SiCA put on in December, courtesy of Highlights Touring Theatre Company, Hansel & Gretel was very well supported and much enjoyed by the audience, both young and old alike.

 We are lucky to have The Monster Ceilidh Band coming on Saturday 25th February.  One of their musicians is involved with The Stocksfield Stompers, so we hope that this event will attract an audience of all ages. Tickets are available from the SiCA Office, so please come along and enjoy the entertainment!

 All our regular clubs would love to see some new members and you will be made most welcome if you come along and join them.

 Plans are in hand to organize celebrations to mark both the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the visit to Stocksfield of the Olympic Torch.  One idea is to make bunting which could be used for both events.  Melna Martin has asked for donations of any red, white or blue material that people may have at home to be used to make bunting.  Any offers to help make the bunting would be appreciated too, and it is proposed that a small group could meet to make the bunting together, enjoying a chat and camaraderie.  Please contact Melna on 844040 (home) or 843839 (work) if you can help at all.

 Finally, a big thank you comes from the 1^st Stocksfield Scout Group. This year’s Scout Post was again very successful with over 1500 cards being delivered and £375 being raised.

 If you are visiting the Community Centre for an event, please can you park considerately, using the Station Car Park if at all possible, to ease congestion on Mount View Terrace and Guessburn.  This would be much appreciated by our neighbours!

 Beth

A Big JUBILEE Lunch is to be held in the grounds of Bywell Hall on

Sunday 3rd June 2012.   Please put the date in your diary and come along with  family, friends and neighbours to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

Details and times are not yet finalised but if you are planning your own Jubilee celebration that weekend please consider joining a whole village event which  will also involve our neighbours in Bywell and Newton.

If you would like to be involved in organising this event,  please contact  the Parish Office on 844667 or email admin@baspc.plus.net