SICA 49^th  Annual General Meeting  

The AGM of the Community Association was held in the Richardson Room on Tuesday 10^th June 2008 at 7.30pm.

 The Chairman began his annual report with a  review of the major improvements to the building carried out during the year.  Fifteen double-glazed uPVC windows have been fitted since June 2007, so that the only remaining  ‘original’ window is the stained glass window in the Richardson Room.  The Management Committee are pleased with the results which have improved the building without having an adverse effect on its appearance. Other major changes mentioned were the re-decoration of the main hall in August 2007, which included fitting new backstage curtains and having the main stage curtains cleaned and re-fireproofed. The re-decoration was carried out by members of the Committee who were thanked for their efforts. The former canteen  was given a real facelift during March this year when a new ceiling; modern and attractive lights and new curtain fittings were all put in place. After all these improvements, which also included re-decoration, it seemed the right time to drop the old ‘Canteen’ name and re-name it the Richardson Room. In the year when SICA celebrates its 50^th Anniversary the new name seems particularly appropriate.

 Three social events have been organised during the year:-a Quiz Night and concerts by Prudhoe Gleemen and the ‘Sheds on Fire’ Band. All three were very enjoyable and generally well supported. The Chairman thanked Jean Robinson for again producing the Winter Quiz which continues to prove very popular. Of course the big social event of the year will be the ‘Mid-Summer Garden Party and Barbecue’ at Bywell Castle which will have already taken place by the time members are reading this report.

 The Chairman went on to report on the changes in personnel at SICA Playgroup and the difficulties experienced  in maintaining the Tuesday evening Youth Club. Later in the evening the Playgroup leaders gave a full and most interesting account of Playgroup activities as well as outlining their plans for the future. The long-term future of our Playgroup appears to be in very capable hands. The position of the Youth Club seems somewhat less secure despite its re-opening at the end of March. Relations with Prudhoe Youth Service  are now very good but numbers attending remain small and, despite the efforts of the Youth Service, it has no members of Middle School age. Much-needed improvements to the Computer Room have taken place during the year, despite the failure to secure grant-aid from Tynedale Council. Two ‘re-conditioned’ computers have recently been acquired (thanks to Mark Nicholson of PCs@ Home) and a digital projector has just been purchased - all this with grants secured by the Computer Section in 2006.The Chairman went on to thank both Mark Nicholson and Vincent Tait for their efforts to develop the opportunities available through the Computer Section.

The Chairman closed his review of the year by thanking our President ,Mr M. Richardson, and our Vice-President, Mrs J. Simpson,  for their continued interest and support. He went on to thank all the Officers and Committee members for all their hard work during another busy year and closed by highlighting the enormous contribution made by our cleaner and warden to the continued success of the Community Centre .

The financial report from our Treasurer, Mr. R. Gibson, showed another successful year regarding the use of the premises. There is some concern regarding an increase of approx. two and a half times in the unit cost of gas due to come into effect in September. Water charges have also risen considerably since the installation of a water meter. This is due not to any increase in our use of water(which remains low) but to our re-classification as ‘commercial premises’.

The meeting went on to appoint the Officers of the Community Association for the coming year. Mr. M. Richardson was again confirmed as our President with Mrs. J. Simpson as our Vice-President. All the Officers and current members of the Management Committee were re-elected- a full list of Officers and Management Committee members will appear on the notice board within the Community Centre. There are still one or two Sections not represented and the Secretary will be writing to remind them that our Constitution requires all Sections to appoint a representative to the Management Committee.

Warden's Words

Coming to the end of another SICA year already - surely this can’t be possible!

Not all groups continue to meet in July so September will see everyone returning.

It seems rather strange this year not to have a major project in hand for when we are closed in August.  Perhaps we are allowed a year off since it’s a bit like the Forth Road Bridge and there is always something to be done.  Do not get the impression that we will be idle - there is cleaning to be done and various small jobs, just nothing major!!!

I have just heard from the Scouts regarding their Jumble Sale last Saturday. They want to thank all who donated jumble and came on the day.  The grand total of £800 was raised for their funds, and they were getting worried that a summer jumble sale (unusual for SICA) was really not a good idea - how wrong can you be?

Enjoy the summer and see you all back in September.

                                                                       Mary

Broomley & Stocksfield Parish Council Notes

Notes on the Meeting of Broomley and Stocksfield Parish Council held on 7^th January 2008

At the January 2008 meeting of the Parish Council, the following topics were debated:

Branch End Play Area – Most of the work to Branch End Play Area is now complete.   However, the ground has yet to be fully re-instated and football goals installed.   This cannot be done until the weather improves..

Play Space at Welton Close – residents had expressed concern that an area of Welton Close thought to be a play space was being used to park vehicles on.   The status of this area is to be checked with Tynedale.

Highways – The Parish Council has received a report on the introduction of Vehicle Activated Speed Signs and their installation is to be considered further.   Councillors heard concern of residents about the speed and weight of traffic using the A695, particularly in the area of Merryshields and the School.

Multi-Use Games Area – Work on the improved Multi-Use Games Area has started and will be completed in the next few weeks.

Proposal to build a wind farm between New Ridley Road and Hedley – a proposal for this development had been received from the developers.   It was stressed that this was a proposal only and not a planning application.   The Parish Council had prepared a response to this report outlining concerns and objections.

Provision of Primary Care in Stocksfield – a considerable proportion of the meeting was given to this topic and it was finally agreed that a public meeting would be held on 16th January to discuss the matter further.   Events on this subject are moving very fast but it was generally felt that the Parish Council and residents were extremely supportive of the doctors and staff at Branch End Surgery.

On 16^th January the Public Meeting, which all three partners from Branch End Surgery attended, agreed a resolution expressing support for the service run by our local doctors and stating that:

This community urges that

the funding currently allocated to PMS practices throughout the County be maintained at its present level,

and that

urgent consideration be given to increasing funding for PMS practices by central Government, in order to facilitate the extension of health care away from hospitals into local surgeries and health centres.