Hookhills Community Centre AGM 2025 Minutes
Welcome and one minute’s remembrance for departed members.
Apologies – none for mention.
President’s report – Stuart Wilson
Yet another year has gone by and I can’t believe how quickly time passes. As usual there are a lot of people to thank for keeping us going over the last twelve months and if I forget someone please forgive me and, as I said last year, punch me later.
Once again, Trevor has put in many unpaid hours improving our community centre. The downstairs gents toilets, snooker room and painting the outside of the building amongst many other maintenance issues.
Roy, Robin and Mike for making the gardens look wonderful once again. Thanks to everyone who donated towards plants for the coming season.
Special thanks to all the L’s, Lianne, Lisa, Lisa, Lorraine and all the helpers who put in a huge amount of work with kids activities all starting with Lianne’s efforts to get families back in. My word it’s worked a treat along with functions including Valentines, Easter, Halloween Christmas and many other events during the year. Jo and Micky for advertising and social media, Jan for doing the minutes at our monthly meetings, Nikki and Rachel for sorting the real ales along with Diggy dealing with the bar side of things. Anthony Smith for memberships, Norman, Jane and Matt for the Christmas Draw and Sharon our administrator. Roger who has kept an eye on our finances for many years, who is stepping down as treasurer and a Trustee and to whom we all thank and wish him all the best for the Future. Tony Smith, Trustee, sound and lighting engineer and Tom Cruise double, thank you for your efforts over the years.
Our wonderful bar staff who all go above and beyond to make our members and visitors feel welcome. Welcome to the team Meg and Rae. On the subject of staff, it is regrettable that two of our team left recently and I’m sure we all wish Sonja and Matt all the best and thank you both for your invaluable service. Also Chris who has been a staunch committee member for some years and will sadly be missed by us all.
Diggy and Chris for outstanding catering and barbecues which brings me to the Cherry Pie Fayre which was once again a huge success due to the hard work by the team. Smithy, Duncan and Roger who lead the event which takes almost a year to organise for the benefit of local charities and people in need. Without an army of volunteers putting up and taking down all weekend, the event would not be possible so thanks to them too. Not to forget Ron’s delectable cherry pies and the bar refreshments and barbecue teams who work relentlessly from opening until well after closing.
There are many other people who have voluntarily helped all year round but have threatened me with instant death if I mention their names. You know who you are so many thanks to you all.
We also have two new Trustees, Paul Knapman and Martyn Cannan who will need to be approved by the members shortly.
Welcome to new committee members and thank you to the existing members for your input over the last year. Please remember that being on the committee means that you are here to serve the members and show a presence on a regular basis, listen to people and act on their concerns. Also to be here to host and help out at functions.
On the downside we have lost bingo and Tuesday and Sunday lunches. Hopefully we will get them up and running again as soon as we possibly can. Finally thank you to you all, the members, without whom we would not exist.
Onwards and upwards ladies, gents and kids. Let’s all work together for the common good of our community centre and wider community. Thank you and God bless!
Chairman’s report – Trevor Holsey
Welcome everyone, it’s much appreciated you all taking the time to attend tonight.
First of all I would like to reiterate all that Stuart has said. On a personal note, the last two years has been a big learning curve for me but one that I have thoroughly enjoyed. There have been some hard times within that period that has made me question myself about doing this role but with the backing of the Trustees, President and committee I continued and am looking forward to another two years as long as I am voted back in.
We are currently going through some fairly big changes with staff and having a new bar subcommittee. They are doing wonders to bring you, the members, the best possible tasting beers and ales. It will take a little time to perfect but they are getting there. The same with the entertainment, we want to have more alongside our current quizzes, karaoke nights upstairs and we are also working hard to bring in more entertainment down here in the ballroom, the first of which is a soul night on the 14th June.
It’s been a pleasure to work with Roger and Tony and I wish you both all the best for the future. Thank you for all you have done for the centre over the years. I also look forward to working with the new Trustees Paul and Martyn alongside Anthony and Norman.
There is still a lot of work to do maintenance wise and to bring the centre up to date. To make that possible we need help and donations, both would be very much appreciated. Finally, I am sure some of you have got questions to put forward so let’s move on and start with tonight’s agenda items thank you.
Financial Report – Roger Mullan
The final figures for the year ended 31st March 2025 showed a loss of £13,773 including a profit from the Cherry Pie Fayre of £4,227 (a loss of £18,000 excluding Cherry Pie Fayre.) The main contributor to this loss was a £15,000 spend on the ballroom roof.
In overall terms then , a good year, making a small loss of £3,000 excluding roof repairs, sales of £229k (229k 2024,) cash in the bank of £40k (including Cherry Pie funds of £7k) and memberships around 850.
The draft annual accounts have been published and a copy is available for members to view in the main bar.
Provisional April accounts record sales of £18,736 and a loss of £190. This financial year we need to absorb both higher wages and energy bills (as well as price increases from all our suppliers) and have a very small budget for repairs and maintenance.
If we exclude membership fees and look at the underlying trading position, we have made losses every month for the last 6 months. Every month is therefore under scrutiny and further price rises may be necessary.
This is my last finance report for the AGM and there will be a handover to Anthony Smith as the new treasurer in the coming months.
To confirm Darnells as accountants for the forthcoming year – Proposed Glenys Mullan, seconder Steve Parker. This was confirmed.
A vote of thanks was made to Roger.
Confirmation of new Trustees
Paul Knapman was elected as a Trustee.
Martyn Cannan was elected as a Trustee.
To confirm Trevor Holsey as Chairman
Trevor Holsey was elected as the Chairman.
To confirm all new committee members
This motion was carried. Colm Dignum, Nikki Baxter, Steve Parker, Lisa Alderson, Dave Sadler, Dave Thomas and Rachel Thomas were elected for a term of two years.
Motion to agree membership prices
Trevor Holsey suggested that the membership prices raise from £15 to £25 per person.
A member of the floor suggested that this was too high, especially for couples.
A member of the floor suggested a couple’s membership at a discounted rate.
A member of the floor stated that they understood the need for a rise but not by ten pounds.
A member of the floor suggested a £5 rise would be reasonable.
A member of the floor suggested that asking for more for the members draw may put people off.
A member of the floor suggested that the drop in gift aid has had an effect and that more effort is needed for gift aid donations.
Roger Mullan confirmed that we do not get gift aid on memberships but we do on donations. He confirmed that donations have also dropped.
A member of the floor suggested that the members draw complicates things, asking for too much.
Roger Mullan confirmed that last year the centre made £1,000 on the members draw however this year it has just broken even.
Eddie Maddocks proposed that the membership rise to £20. Wayne Brown – seconder. The majority agreed and the membership will rise to £20.
A member of the floor asked if the members draw would be discontinued next year.
Robin proposed that we stop the members draw. Nikki Baxter – Seconder. The majority agreed that this should discontinue.
Open forum
A member of the floor asked why the centre had been closed at 2030 hours the evening before.
Trevor Holsey explained that the agreement with staff is to close early if there are no customers.
Lisa Alderson asked if we could have a sub committee of non committee member volunteers to become more involved as 11 people can’t run everything.
Trevor Holsey explained that the centre advertises all of the time and that it isn’t easy. Anyone willing to help would be very welcome.
A member of the floor asked if they Cherry Pie money goes to local charities, can it go to the club.
It was confirmed that donations from the Cherry Pie fayre have been made towards the porch fund and roof fund.
A member of the floor mentioned a monthly draw, £10 and if in the club the member wins money. This takes place at the Paignton Sea Anglers club.
Trevor Holsey explained that the centre tried this and it didn’t work out unfortunately.
Nikki Baxter suggested ‘open the box.’ When asked who would take this on Nikki stated that she wouldn’t mind. This will be discussed at the next committee meeting.
Trevor Holsey asked if there were any more questions to which there were not.
Meeting closed at 8.45pm.